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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Simcha on January 14, 2002, at 9:22:31
I know that for me some security would help be out a great deal. I've been a contractor for 3+ years now in the Internet Development Biz... The past year or so has had many ups and downs. Lately it seems that there are more downs.
I moved from my beloved Chicago to Iowa because there were no more jobs for me in Chicago and there was this wonderful 2 year contract with an option to become permanent. Well since then, at the end of last year they began to reduce their workforce by 10% through offering early retirement. Well, now that they got that they still need to cut more so people are being given the option of severing relations with the company at a nice severence offering. If they do not get enough volunteers they will start cutting people involuntarily. (Actually they have started this.)
Being a contractor I know that my situation is precarious at best. The thing is that our team has been reorganized into a new department and we have been told that there is plenty of work for us to keep us busy. Ergo... No let go....
The thing is that they have put a freeze on any authorizations to hire. No one knows when this freeze might be lifted. I still have a year and 3ish months to go on my contract. They cannot extend my contract because this company has a rule that you cannot be a contractor for them for more than two years.
I have a long way to go in the contract. I'm trying to envision a positive outcome. I do so want to sign on permenantly here. I moved here for the chance of having stability which I never seemed to have in Chicago. A psychic friend of mine has assured me over and over that I will be with this company many years after most of the people I started with because they realize my value to them. Well, I'm trying to be positive. (This has not been my natural state.) Optimism is difficult for me. I think I'm doing well.
I know that optimism can help me to keep this job and to get a position permanently with this company. I can manifest the goal in my head. If I imagine doom then I can manifest doom (a self-fulfilling prophecy). I'm trying to envision what it will be like to have the stability I seek. I know that it is no panacea. I do know that I do better when I do not have financial worry and I have something to do 5 days per week. I need the structure and the income for my recovery.
Let's face it.. Treatment is not cheap!
-Simcha
Posted by Fi on January 14, 2002, at 15:15:44
In reply to Job Stability and Recovery, posted by Simcha on January 14, 2002, at 9:22:31
Its a really tough situation, and unfortunately not uncommon these days. Lots of luck- I dont believe in psychics, but it cant do any harm to be as positive as you can manage and get what you can out of the job.
Of course, there's nothing to stop you *also* keeping an eye out for other work, just in case something good permanent comes up, in Iowa or even Chicago? That way you're not 'missing out' on other opportunities by staying in your current job.
But mainly to say that that its a lousy situation and sympathies.
Good luck.
Fi
Posted by Simcha on January 15, 2002, at 7:55:15
In reply to Re: Job Stability and Recovery » Simcha, posted by Fi on January 14, 2002, at 15:15:44
Thanks Fi!
I'm sure that it makes sense to go look for more work elsewhere. I'm just not up for it now. I have to be able to forgive myself for not feeling motivated on this front.
I really do have a positive attitude about all of this. I've been here long enough that if they really do let me go, I will be able to collect unemployment. Some time away from working would not kill me.
I also believe that I will be just fine where I am. I do think that they realize just how valuable I've been around here. I don't know this for sure. It's just a feeling.
I do believe that positive attitudes can manifest positive changes in life. Being positive is difficult while in the abyss of depression. With treatment I can finally attempt optimism so long as I do not listen to the "nay sayers."
Take Care,
Simcha> Its a really tough situation, and unfortunately not uncommon these days. Lots of luck- I dont believe in psychics, but it cant do any harm to be as positive as you can manage and get what you can out of the job.
>
> Of course, there's nothing to stop you *also* keeping an eye out for other work, just in case something good permanent comes up, in Iowa or even Chicago? That way you're not 'missing out' on other opportunities by staying in your current job.
>
> But mainly to say that that its a lousy situation and sympathies.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Fi
Posted by sid on January 15, 2002, at 10:26:23
In reply to Job Stability and Recovery, posted by Simcha on January 14, 2002, at 9:22:31
My situations is also precarious and I find it hard to get better and have high hopes for the future when my present is so disappointing. I need to be patient and trust that something good will come my way, but sometimes (today for e.g.), I get somewhat discouraged.
Posted by Simcha on January 15, 2002, at 10:41:22
In reply to Re: Job Stability and Recovery » Simcha, posted by sid on January 15, 2002, at 10:26:23
Sid,
Yeah, for me I need to remember to live for today. Yeah the economic news is bad. Yeah, my company may have to lay-off more workers.
BUT! Today I have a job. Today I have income. Today I can afford my treatment. Today I'm a very fortunate man. Today I'm very grateful.
Tomorrow does not exist and yesterday is gone. My future is in G-d's hands. All I can do is live for today because as a limited/finite being it is all I have.
Take Care,
Simcha
> My situations is also precarious and I find it hard to get better and have high hopes for the future when my present is so disappointing. I need to be patient and trust that something good will come my way, but sometimes (today for e.g.), I get somewhat discouraged.
Posted by sid on January 15, 2002, at 10:56:44
In reply to Re: Job Stability and Recovery » sid, posted by Simcha on January 15, 2002, at 10:41:22
Thanks - yeah, that's usually what I tell myself and believe. I've been kind of down since last night though, for no apparent reason. I'll go listen to music before going back to work, it should help me feel better.
Take care too!> Sid,
>
> Yeah, for me I need to remember to live for today. Yeah the economic news is bad. Yeah, my company may have to lay-off more workers.
>
> BUT! Today I have a job. Today I have income. Today I can afford my treatment. Today I'm a very fortunate man. Today I'm very grateful.
>
> Tomorrow does not exist and yesterday is gone. My future is in G-d's hands. All I can do is live for today because as a limited/finite being it is all I have.
>
> Take Care,
> Simcha
Posted by Simcha on January 16, 2002, at 9:21:17
In reply to Re: Job Stability and Recovery » Simcha, posted by sid on January 15, 2002, at 10:56:44
Well Sid,
They are giving me more responsibility. They are also changing my hours. I was 7am-3:30pm. I liked those hours but it was hard to drag my butt into work at 7am. Now I'll be here from 8:30am to 5:00pm.
This is the way things should go until May. They have projected my work here through May. After that, who knows?
Hey, there are people that are being given their walking papers this month so being assured of an income through May is quite nifty. Maybe by then business will turn around? You never know.
This definitely helps me. I need the stability so badly.
> Thanks - yeah, that's usually what I tell myself and believe. I've been kind of down since last night though, for no apparent reason. I'll go listen to music before going back to work, it should help me feel better.
> Take care too!
>
> > Sid,
> >
> > Yeah, for me I need to remember to live for today. Yeah the economic news is bad. Yeah, my company may have to lay-off more workers.
> >
> > BUT! Today I have a job. Today I have income. Today I can afford my treatment. Today I'm a very fortunate man. Today I'm very grateful.
> >
> > Tomorrow does not exist and yesterday is gone. My future is in G-d's hands. All I can do is live for today because as a limited/finite being it is all I have.
> >
> > Take Care,
> > Simcha
Posted by sid on January 16, 2002, at 10:49:28
In reply to Re: Job Stability and Recovery -- Good News!!! » sid, posted by Simcha on January 16, 2002, at 9:21:17
Congratulations, that's good news indeed.
I understand the need for stability! And I'm very glad for you.- Sid
> Well Sid,
>
> They are giving me more responsibility. They are also changing my hours. I was 7am-3:30pm. I liked those hours but it was hard to drag my butt into work at 7am. Now I'll be here from 8:30am to 5:00pm.
>
> This is the way things should go until May. They have projected my work here through May. After that, who knows?
Posted by fi on January 16, 2002, at 11:32:56
In reply to Re: Job Stability and Recovery » Fi, posted by Simcha on January 15, 2002, at 7:55:15
Sorry this is a while later.
I just wanted to stress that I didnt mean you *have* to job hunt, only that staying in this job doesnt mean you *cant* job hunt, if you want to at some stage. So no reason to feel guilty about staying in this job as if it precluded jobhunting.
I'm starting to confuse myself, but I hope you get the gist!
I'm sure positive thinking is a good idea, as long as done gently (I find it easy to start beating myself up about not thinking positively enough!)
Lots of luck.
Fi
Posted by Krazy Kat on January 16, 2002, at 11:43:33
In reply to Re: Job Stability and Recovery -- Good News!!! » sid, posted by Simcha on January 16, 2002, at 9:21:17
Congrats, Simcha. I missed earlier posts - what is your field?
- KK
Posted by Simcha on January 16, 2002, at 12:47:29
In reply to Re: Job Stability and Recovery -- Good News!!! » Simcha, posted by Krazy Kat on January 16, 2002, at 11:43:33
I'm a Web Developer/Designer.. I work for an agricultural company because most of the ad agencies and dotcoms went belly-up....
It ain't what it used to be....
> Congrats, Simcha. I missed earlier posts - what is your field?
>
> - KK
Posted by finelinebob on January 24, 2002, at 22:02:25
In reply to Re: Job Stability and Recovery -- Good News!!! » Krazy Kat, posted by Simcha on January 16, 2002, at 12:47:29
> I'm a Web Developer/Designer.. I work for an agricultural company because most of the ad agencies and dotcoms went belly-up....
>
> It ain't what it used to be....... and thank goodness for that!
Simcha, I'm in the same line of (no) work, but trying to do it in New York City with another 20,000 or so "involuntary freelance" developers, give or take an order of magnitude. My resume is on something like 10 different job boards and I'm working with 5 or 6 headhunters. Between Sept21 (when I got laid off) and Dec31, I didn't get a single call about a job.
So far this month, I've had five.
Two permanent, three temp. Wasn't the best fit for the first two, but just snagged a 4-6 month contract yesterday. The word out from the headhunters is that clients are calling again, so hopefully the business is picking up.
cheers,
flb
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