Bad News

Just been informed by my employer that my contract will not be renewed going into 2014.
 
Job hunting @ age 59.
 
No joke.

Ouch....  that isn't good.
 
Time to start looking. I know the situation here in the US is horrible for many people looking work. So few jobs that tens of thousands drop out of the work force totally on a monthly basis.
 
Good news is that the government keeps hiring..... well not now with the shutdown and all.... but they were the largest sector hiring over the past several years.
 
Last time I was fired.... out of the blue I might add...I didn't play the politiks game well enough in the factory apparently,  and found myself standing in the parking lot having been "escorted" to my truck......After 2 weeks,  I decided that I would give it a shot and started my own business. I was about 37 or so at that time. I know that pushing 60 isn't everyone's idea of a great time to start a business..... but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do to pay the bills. If that happened today I would certainly give it a shot again. But this time, I'm the boss and as long as the phone rings a few times a week, I'm doing OK..... and I don't have to work with idiots and arses.
 
Have an honest look at your skill set and find a niche and provide the goods and services to fill that market need.
 
My first year on my own ...actually May thru December..... I made a few thousand less than the factory supervisor job had paid me. The second, and first full year in the business, I made 1.5 times what the factory job paid.... Wooo Hooo.... since then the lowest years are 3 times the factory job several were close to 8 times the factory job. And I'm simply a one man operation. When business is slow, I enjoy the time off with music and working around the yard.
 
Take a week or so and collect your thoughts.....and then get a part time job if that's all you can find because if you don't do something it's real easy to get stuck in that rut. Deliver pizza, cashier in a store, etc... just to keep busy and make a little bit of money. Collect unemployment if it's available over there..... but don't get stuck in that mess.....

You're right. That's no joke. Keep your spirit up and antennae out.
We're getting such news far too much here in Finland as well. The only industry that is
succeeding at the moment seems to be fur farming. All our traditional base stones, shipyards and papermills, and the newer one, IT and data technology, are living really hard times.
I'm in fur business so I feel reasonably safe, but my better half, a journalist and interpreter, has fought a few hard battles
lately to keep herself employed.

I'm sorry to hear about that, Bristol.  I hope you find something else before your contract ends. 

Wookiee
Did they give you a valid reason Colin?
 
Wish you all the best hunting.
 
Wooks

Well, I work for a VERY large aeroplane manufacturer and we are totally controlled by the higher ups based in Toulouse.
 
The reason is that all roles are being assessed by Central and in my case it was deemed the role, i.e. the job itself, is redundant, not me the person, the job itself.
 
Technically they could have given me a weeks notice and say "be on your way", but I've got until Dec 31st to find suitable alternative employment.

Jonesey,
Sorry to hear man.
Often times out of Darkness comes Light.
I hope for you that greater Light presents itself.
 
Keep your mind open.
 

Man, I had to play that game at 41. I can't imagine doing it at 59. Prayers go out to you buddy. It sounds like you have some great skills though, so I bet someplace will snap you up. It's good that you got a couple months notice, did I read that right? Best wishes to you man. Keep us updated please. I would like to give a shout out when you find work!

Very sorry to hear Colin.
I do believe there is a good side even at times one just can't imagine what.
 
Best wishes for you.
 

Keep your head up Bristol. It looks to me like you have a skill set that's useful. You've got a little time to give your next move some thought. Here's hoping it works out great for you.
 
Randy

I just found a new job based on a classified ad.  Everything fell into place over 1 weekend and I am now working full time.  Anything is possible.  Really work on your resume and cover letter and keep a positive attitude.  Read some stories about interviewing.  I am sure you have a lot to offer someone.  Keep the faith.  
 
Best regards, 
 
Rimshot
 

You probably already know this, but through a resume class at the unemployment office, I learned that one should have several resumes, tailored to the specific needs of each particular position you're applying for. Employers tend to skip over the resumes with irrelevant experience in them. Just a thought for you. :)

Cheers Herb/Bob.
 
I'm sure something will turn up

Thanks Mike, your words are appreciated

Sorry about that mate, happening to a lot of people recently. On the plus side, being young in the job market is overrated. Employers are quickly catching on to the fact that large numbers of the 18-30 crowd actually have s*** for brains, can't read, can't spell, can't do basic math, don't know jack about anything and walk around thinking that they're celebrities simply by virtue of having been born. 

Bristol_Jonesey
Just been informed by my employer that my contract will not be renewed going into 2014.
 
Job hunting @ age 59.
 
No joke.

Two years for me Colin. I'm 60.
 
And my new business is NOT yet profitable.