STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

kenzie · Chanel

Laid off - UPDATED

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

RE: Laid off

KaffeeKlatsch · Marc Jacobs

Oh man...that's like a triple dose of insanity. Ugh! Sorry.
Wishing you major luck as you start over.

relrel · Marc Jacobs

I'm swearing for you in my head right now. What the hell? Did you get any severance type package? I know it's not ideal, but have you looked at firms in Philly? I know a couple of people who commute down from Lancaster every day and they say it's not terrible, not great, but not terrible either.

Hell, maybe your boss who decided he wanted to do marketing will find out it's a lot harder than he thought and he sucks at it and he'll want you back and you can ask for more money? Definitely look at this as an opportunity, since you'll be headed out to Cali in June (still going, right???), maybe you can set up some meetings or interviews? Use this as a kick in the butt to get yourself out to Cali permanently.

Good luck, in whatever you do. Stupid freaking boss guy can suck it.

Hermes

That's pretty shitty. You'll figure something out and find something even better -- just like you always do!

Boots · Gucci

Oh, that is just so wrong! Get a really good letter of recommendation and maybe a few leads from him before you go (use the whole "friendship angle" to get what you need.) Use him as much as you possible can to get a leg up on a new job search. As angry as you are (and have every right to be) don't let him see how mad you are. Use whatever guilt he may have over laying you off. Let him talk you up to people he knows. You need to make HIM work to help you land a better job.

kenzie · Chanel

Thanks, everyone.

@relrel, yeah, we're still going to Cali. I tried to cancel but we'd lose all our money since we already paid for the trip. I'd love to move there right now, but we are legally required to stay in our house for at least a year (that year is up in December). We were planning on biding our time until then.

But I do have a possible opportunity for a work-from-home, work-from-anywhere gig with someone I've worked with before. I talked to him today and things are looking promising. Hopefully, that will pull through soon.

@Boots, he didn't even have the balls to tell me himself OR to stick around the office when it happened. He left for the day and had the person who he essentially hired so he could shove me out do it (the person who is now doing the parts of his job he didn't like). He hasn't contacted me or acknowledged any of this mess. He's a total spineless jellyfish. It's disgusting.

Suasoria · Chanel

I hate him. That is all.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

What the freak?! Such a betrayal, but I agree that you should use this guy to the hilt. I'd tell him that you're putting him on speed dial and that you hope he doesn't mind 3:00am phone calls as you conduct your job search.

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

Suasoria wrote:
I hate him. That is all.

Agreed.

A lot of us have followed you through that journey and I am flabberghasted that he would have the audacity to make such a trivial, childish jump - especially considering his relationship with you... Wow just wow. So sorry to hear.

kenzie · Chanel

Suasoria wrote:
I hate him. That is all.

I need a like button for this comment.

Boots · Gucci

Don't make it comfortable for him. He may have made his new "assistant" lay you off, but he can't duck you forever. Make an appointment to speak with him and tell him exactly what you expect him to do. Keep it uber professional and all emotions out of it (as soon as you leave the meeting, get into your car and scream your lungs out though.) Get that letter of recommendation. Try to get a lead or two from him. Maybe even try for a severance package (do you have any days off or vacation days due to you? Try to get paid for these.)

USE GUILT! Remind him that you considered him a friend and could use his help to transition to a new place of employment. Pretend that your his mom and guilt the hell out of him.

NCshopper · Hermes

I can't believe that! How HORRIBLE. I'm furious for you--I can't imagine how you feel! I have no great words of advice at the moment, but kharma's a bitch and he'll get what he deserves.

ayo · Coach

OH NO! What an a-hole!

I am so sorry :(.

I do hope this will somehow create an opportunity for you to do something really love.

TheLovelyLady71 · Hermes

DAMN K, I'm soooo very sorry this happened to you. BUT, you know, one door closes, ANOTHER ONE opens.... :) But you have every right to feel the way you do. (((LOTS OF HUGS))) Good luck to you!

small fry · Chanel

Okay little late here.. damn what a jerk . Hoping this leads to great new things for you

kenzie · Chanel

Laid off - UPDATED

Hermes

If it were me, hmmm. I would probably list the experience, use the explanation you were planning on using (laid off due loss of business, not eliminated position), and just hope they don't actually contact him or scrutinize the site you used to work on. You could mention that you did yadayadayada on the site, and explain that modifications were made to the site after you left, so it's no longer entirely reflective of your work. Just be upbeat, matter-of-fact, and in no way let on you feel anything less than love for your former employer. On the application, say it's OK to contact your former employer. Don't list your former employer in your references.

If an employer is interested to the point where they start calling references, they're most likely already planning on hiring you. So many employers don't even call references or do their homework. If they come back to you and say, we contacted so-and-so, and they said "insert nasty things," break down and tell them you were worried about that, as the former employer is upset with you for hiring legal representation after they tried to revoke your unemployment compensation. Then spin it to say something like, "needless to say, I'm looking forward to contributing in a positive work environment" or something like that. Don't elaborate, keep it short, the less you say the better, and try to give a positive spin in some way.

That's what I would do, but I'm sure others will have some valuable input as well.

-- Edited by D on Thursday 14th of July 2011 08:04:39 AM

Boots · Gucci

D wrote:
If it were me, hmmm. I would probably list the experience, use the explanation you were planning on using (laid off due loss of business, not eliminated position), and just hope they don't actually contact him or scrutinize the site you used to work on. You could mention that you did yadayadayada on the site, and explain that modifications were made to the site after you left, so it's no longer entirely reflective of your work. Just be upbeat, matter-of-fact, and in no way let on you feel anything less than love for your former employer. On the application, say it's OK to contact your former employer. Don't list your former employer in your references.

If an employer is interested to the point where they start calling references, they're most likely already planning on hiring you. So many employers don't even call references or do their homework. If they come back to you and say, we contacted so-and-so, and they said "insert nasty things," break down and tell them you were worried about that, as the former employer is upset with you for hiring legal representation after they tried to revoke your unemployment compensation. Then spin it to say something like, "needless to say, I'm looking forward to contributing in a positive work environment" or something like that. Don't elaborate, keep it short, the less you say the better, and try to give a positive spin in some way.
That's what I would do, but I'm sure others will have some valuable input as well.

-- Edited by D on Thursday 14th of July 2011 08:04:39 AM

That's exactly what I would do. Anything that even hints of bad mouthing your former employer or employment situation will only put off any interviewer. If they come out and ask why you were unhappy at your previous job, maybe you can say something along the lines of "my former employer was still struggling with a direction for his business" and that "I'm excited about working in such a positive and well run environment."

-- Edited by Boots on Thursday 14th of July 2011 12:51:48 PM

kenzie · Chanel

Thanks, D and Boots. Those are all great suggestions! Boots, those are actually really similar things to what I said when asked about what I didn't like about my previous job, so I'm glad that you reinforced my initial thoughts. I really just want to get on with my life and forget about that place, but until I actually have a job offer I feel a little stuck.