Have you lost your job? What type of job was it? What is your plan going forward?

People don’t usually like to announce their job loss to the friends and family. Just because you don’t hear about it doesn’t mean that it isn’t there.

I was lucky enough (a little over a year ago) to resign from my job before they laid me off (I saw the writing on the wall). I have a new job now making much less money but with a lot less stress.

However, since then, my wife, 3 relatives and 6 friends have lost their jobs. All are still unemployed or only working part-time at a clock-puncher just to make ends meet.

All of these people are well educated (Masters Degrees, Juris Doctorite) with oodles of experience. They all tell me the same story: They send out tons of resumes, get called for some interviews, but nothing ever comes of it.

Very discouraging.

Yes. Over a year ago I was let go.

I was a Video graphics and animation artist and editor, graphic artist, illustrator, data base creator and manager for the video and photo department. I also did creative and writing for adds and product. I was also tech support and product assistant.

I have been freelancing where I can and contracting through an agency but there have been a lot of lay offs in my field and very very little work.

I am very close to going back to try for something else. In the milwaukee area it is VERY much who you know that decides who gets the jobs.

@Bri L: I’m real sorry about your situation. But thanks for the info. I was thinking of moving to Milwaukee and I too am in the creative industry. Guess I’ll stay in Boston for a bit longer.

@Cprevite – Maybe I just suck. One downfall has been that when I moved back from CA, for the last 9 years where ever I worked they pulled me in every direction, had me managing and doing managerial things. Unfortunately that left very little for my portfolio. That is what gets the job after who you know. I was VERY taken advantage of. I learned a 9 year long lesson. I just hope my family doesn’t have to keep paying for it.

@Bri L: I doubt you suck. Fellow Flutherers never suck. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Maybe now you can work on that portfolio. Best of luck to you.

@cprevite – hehe thanks. I was kinda joking. I have some good stuff. It just isn’t as polished as I would like or as someone with my experience managing probably should have. Thanks for the well wishes.

I am sorry to hear about all your loved ones and friends troubles. Not to mention your own occupational change. I wish you well.

My husband and I have both lost our jobs. Not in the conventional sense however. It has been more like this slow sinking feeling and a rapidly diminishing income over the last few years and a creeping realization that you have got to make some big changes. We are lucky to live in this beautiful, small tourist/retirement town on the Oregon coast. The downside is there is no industry or jobs. I got my real estate brokers license in 02 and found a way to make a decent living here. My husband followed suit. Everyone knows what has happened to the housing industry so we are now trying to figure out how we are going to support ourselves. I fell back on what we had done before moving here and opened a bistro. I recently sold it and I think I made a good decision. Here on Fluther, many of you have talked about dining out being one of the things you will do without considering the state of the economy. My husband and I have spent almost the entire twenty years together self employed. In terms of retirement, health insurance etc., this was not a good idea. My husband is, sniff, leaving in a couple of weeks to take a job in Oklahoma, in large part because of the benefits and such. Since prospects of selling our house are slim, I am staying here and we will see what the future looks like in a couple of years. We are figuring it out. We are relatively lucky.I know there are many in much more grim situations and my heart goes out to them. Please everyone, VOTE OBAMA!