TGIF, everyone! Actually, I've been off work since Wednesday. I just got canned.

[KamaAina]

Nearly seven years at that agency. One month shy of 15 years in the field. This has been coming for weeks, but still.... here I am with years of experience in a very small field (in which she who canned me is a high muckety-muck! ), a resume studded with red flags like "autism", "disability", and increasingly "1985", and the horrendous interview skills that go with the first one.

[pinboy3niner]

1. I'm sorry to hear that

I wish you the best in finding a new job.

[potone]

2. I am so sorry.

It is a horrible feeling to lose your job (I am worried about keeping mine, too). It is worse if one is an older worker, and is a specialist in a small field. May I ask what you do? At any rate, you have my sympathy.

[TexasBushwhacker]

3. Your state should have an agency for helping

the disabled get jobs, including training if needed, mock interviews, etc. Mine here in Texas has been quite helpful.

[KamaAina]

11. That would work nicely if I were looking for entry-level

I forgot to mention the other buzzword on Mr. Resume: Yale.

[TexasBushwhacker]

23. They can help you with your resume and interview skills

Check out Manta.com . It's a good website for researching businesses around the country by size, type of business, etc.

Are there any professional organizations in your field that have meetings in your area? That's a good way to network.

There's also a nonprofit called Forty Plus that can be helpful.

[LiberalAndProud]

26. Definitely a buzzword.

My eyes went wide.


I don't pretend to understand your post. But doesn't Yale mean okay? At least I thought so.

[catnhatnh]

4. But we love you here!

Seriously,they saw your talent and ability at the job you just left and no way they kept you 7 years out of the goodness of their hearts. Keep your head up.

[LiberalEsto]

5. So sorry to hear this

wishing you good luck finding something better

[femmocrat]

6. That is such a shame.

Hope you bounce back soon.

[UTUSN]

7. This can't happen

[In_The_Wind]

8. Ah, gee whiz, that sucketh big time!

Good luck on finding something. Maybe even try talking with folks you met while working for ms muckety-muck.

[herding cats]

9. Stay strong.

I don't know your circumstances, but maybe look to relocate if your skills are specialized? I understand if there's mitigating circumstances and you can't. I'm also in that boat.

I'm going out on a limb here, seven years is a long time to be employed at one place in our modern job market. I bet your skills are better than you realize they are.

I don't understand the "1985" reference, but where I am they can't mention your autism, or disability. So, don't fret those items, they're not going to be something which precedes you to an interview.

I'm really sorry you're going through this. I know how it is and it sucks!

[KamaAina]

12. Graduated 1985.

Yale, but the age thing is out there.

They don't have to mention the autism, merely conduct the interview and flunk me.

[herding cats]

14. I totally missed the reference.

I apologize, I got it once you pointed it out.

For what it's worth, I'm a socially awkward, but highly skilled in my field person. I'm a lot better here socially than in my real daily life, and I'm not particularly good here either, really. I also have other issues I'm dealing with which effect my interview clout. I fully understand your position.

I don't know how your autism manifest, everyone is different, but you've always struck me as a very intelligent person. Let your accomplishments speak for you, and don't beat yourself up over the other areas. We (all people, really) tend to do that to our own detriment.

I know it's a bad place to be in right now, just look toward being out of it again later. This is from a person who is possibly one of the worst interviewees out there. Despite my on paper skills.

Like I said, stay strong. I'm in your corner.

[MADem]

22. Whippersnapper!

Oh, you kids!

Seriously, I asked it below--any way you can sue for wrongful termination?

I hope something better comes along for you.

[Frank Cannon]

28. Get it off your resume.

Your resume really shouldn't reflect more than 10-12 years of your latest work history. And you don't need your graduation dates on there, either. They can always check that, if they need to.

Employers aren't supposed to discriminate on the basis of age, but they can and do. In this economy, they can always find a new or recent graduate who will do things for a lot cheaper than you will.

Trust me on this. Take that off and see what happens.

[riderinthestorm]

10. Oh no!! I have no words of wisdom, just virtual hugs

Hope the job search is speedy and uncomplicated.

[a kennedy]

13. D*MN.

[madinmaryland]

15. Sorry to hear that.

You will, on the other hand, have more time to post in the DU Sports Group.



Best of luck in your job search.

[KamaAina]

17. But I'll have to post from my crappy home connection.

[madinmaryland]

19. 50,090 posts on DU from work???

Is that you, cboy?

[cwydro]

24. Sorry, that did make me laugh.

That's a lot of work posting.

[steve2470]

16. so sorry to hear that!

Best wishes on finding new work

[NJCher]

18. ehhh, jobs are like buses

Another one comes along every few minutes.

Hang out your shingle and you'll see a new opportunity in no time.


Cher

[Xipe Totec]

25. +1

In my experience being fired is underrated.

My best year financially was when I got fired.

This was followed by a better job than the one I had before, in a better company, in the company of better people.

Sometimes we don't take the steps necessary to find a better fit until somebody pushes us out of our comfort zone.

[progressoid]

20. Aw that sucks.

Hope it turns around for you soon.

[MADem]

21. Any way you can sue for wrongful termination? nt

[rurallib]

27. When Trump becomes president there will be jobs galore!

{{ that was meant to make you laugh. Sorry if you had a heart attack}}

No brilliant messages from me, just a fervent hope for a good outcome.
Who knows, maybe your next boss is here in the Lounge tonight.

[pinboy3niner]

29. You'll have so many jobs you'll BEG him to stop creating them!