I think I f%cked up

[Jack Straw]

I was laid off at the end of Dec, so I am getting unemployment payments which saved my rear end. Otherwise I would not be able to pay next month's rent, let alone live comfortably. Let me tell you it is completely different looking for a job now than it was when I last did 3 years ago, at least in the areas I'm looking. Then you could get interviews just by writing a good cover letter, now you have to know someone or just plain get lucky. That said you are in sales, so you are probably better at "selling yourself" than I am.

My friend who hated his job did basically the same thing you did a year ago thinking he could line up something within a few months, and he is still looking for work, and living with his parents.

Rough times, hopefully it gets better soon.

Best of luck!

[ashtonlady]

Yes you did, now what are you going to do about it?

[Blindjimme]

Go back and talk with your former employer. You got nothing to lose and the value of someone who knows their gig may go in your favor. Best of luck.

[bobarian]

Smoke something you enjoy. Scary? Yes Depressing? Why? You chose the path, now its time to walk the walk.

Dan I'll go against the grain here and say you will probably end up better off.
No job is worth killing yourself with stress over. I have been there and am glad I left when I did and things worked out just fine. But you should have had a job lined up first.. But what the heck you probably won't die from this lesson.

[bobarian]

One thing is for sure, dont mope around. Sharpen that resume and pound the pavement. A good salesman can sell anything so think outside the box. Good luck.

[Lucky_Hippo]

Well.... They call them Life Lessons for a reason. Now's the time to take stock in what's what, and move forward from here. See what options you have available to you and remember that pride doesn't put food in your stomach. If you have to flip burgers untill something better comes along try to remember the fact that better men have probably done worse for less.

Good luck and hopefully it will be a one time oops with little consequences.

Cigar Choice: The best I had in my humidor to make the memory/lesson a keeper.

[Neuromancer]

Originally Posted by Subvet642

Swallow your pride, and beg for your job back.

Originally Posted by bleedingshrimp

Done...mission unsuccessful.

The only thing I can offer at this point is "good luck"...if nothing else, you can probably drive a taxi...I used to do that between computer contracts when times were tough...

Put in about 30 resumes today so far! A momentary lapse in reason, and poor judgment on my part however is agreed.

One thing I feel blessed with is that my wife has a good job and we have no kids. We didn't reach out of our range with our home either.

Anyone need a freelance cigar tester? I will test your Arganese, Gurkha, and bundle 'gars to ensure safety for human consumption!!!

[junkinduck]

Several sucessful people I know did what you have done either by there choice or the bosses. Some of those people are now 6figure consultants. At least you have a stream of income in the house and no little mouths to feed. Find something your are pasionate about and life will be much more rewarding. I count myself as being lucky in this respect. Other advice from one of my stints of unemployment. Cancel all things not necessary like cell phone, cable, and if your car payment straps you sell it. Be proactive and no reactive. For sale signs are cheep and they will make more tomorrow.
My prayers will be with you.
Don't let em get you down.

cigar, get used to somthing cheep and save the good one to celibrate your success.

[blugill]

How about taking the opportunity that you created and go back to school to learn to do something you really want to do.

What's done is done now and no sense crying over it. A job will be hard to come by so educate yourself with all of that new found time on your hands. By the time you are out of school perhaps the job market will pick back up again!

Good Luck brother, I commend you for having the nerve to step out and now you have the chance to try something different. Sure, it may not be easy for a while, but at least your needs are being met in the short term.

Well, the bridge has been burnt, the boat has sailed, and the shore is far behind me. I decided on a Monte No.4, the first cigar of my only unopened box. I found it fitting, new beginnings and all. Thanks for the kind words and the kicks in the ass, both were needed and well appreciated.

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by humidorguy

Dan I'll go against the grain here and say you will probably end up better off.
No job is worth killing yourself with stress over. I have been there and am glad I left when I did and things worked out just fine. But you should have had a job lined up first.. But what the heck you probably won't die from this lesson.

Originally Posted by Commander Quan

Well this could either be the best thing you've ever done, or the worst, depending on what you do next. Just because the job market sucks right now doesn't mean there aren't opportunities. Set a goal for yourself, and work like hell till you get there. Good luck.

I probably wouldn't have quit, but me going door to door is one of those things that I just am not cut out to do either. I absolutely hate doing that kind of work. Hope you find something that is satisfying to you very soon.

[RGD.]

Originally Posted by Silound

Check out Lowes then as well. Around here, they're hiring people with 2+ years of management experience. Last I checked, they pay 50-60k a year for store mangers.

Come think of it, I'd check Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and any other large store.

Yeah - No. I checked out Lowes last fall and during my interview they told me that the only person in the store that made $20 bucks an hour was the store manager. They wanted me to head up the plumbing department for $12 an hour. I said thanks - no thanks.

Originally Posted by andysutherland

I probably wouldn't have quit, but me going door to door is one of those things that I just am not cut out to do either. I absolutely hate doing that kind of work. Hope you find something that is satisfying to you very soon.

I would quit in a heart beat if I was asked to do door to door. Did that crap back in college. Some of us just are not cut out for sales.

Sure, it's always best to have a job before you quit - but sometimes it just does not happen. Granted it was a better time for jobs - but years ago I did the same exact thing - and 5 days later had a new job , higher pay - better working conditions. So you just never know. Keep grinding away on applications and something will turn up. Sort term - the census is hiring at up to $20 an hour depending on the area.

Best of luck to you.

Ron

This is going too sound repetitive, but, it is never wise too leave a job without something new on the horizon...however, that being said, anyone willing too look for a job right now, regardless the pride/pay cuts involved, are able too find them. Another place too look, and if you are willing too become friends with the phone...I made six-figures selling Men's Clothing for Neiman Marcus...however, at the time, the economy was in a better place, in fact the recession was still months away when I left too move on. I started out at your basic department stores, got into fashion, and was recruited up the ladder, so to say, by Neiman Marcus. Even at a Macy's, in a halfway decent market, working on commission, taking care of every whim your customers have, you could easily make $40k again....even more. The biggest trick though, when on straight commission, budgeting for the lean months like February, July, and October, is very key...you may make $7k a week in December...but you most likely won't in February...

[thebiglebowski]

good luck, man. from someone who was the victim of a workforce reduction last year, i hope you find something soon!

[ucla695]

Hey Dan, hang in there. Although this ship might have sailed, there are others in the harbor and those that will come in that will carry you further than the one you just got off. Patience and Persistence are key.