Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Taking the Initiative After a Lay-Off

A few weeks ago I wrote about how I "almost lost my job", when my old position in the company I left 18 months ago was eliminated and my replacement, who also happened to be a good friend, was let-go. After I published that post, I was able to help my friend get a temporary job with my own company - one advantage of being an executive. My friend has been doing a very good job in this temporary position and there is now talk of potentially hiring him for a full time job. Nevertheless, my friend isn't waiting around or counting on good fortune to work-out for him. He actually started a side business, which I think is quite brilliant. This business has the potential for growing within a matter of months to become my friend's full time job.

My friend is using his career set-back as an opportunity to move in a direction he's wanted to pursue for a long time, but never actually had the time or the drive to follow. Good for him!

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6 comments:

Tammara said...

That's a story with a happy ending! It couldn't be better than what you said, "My friend is using his career set-back as an opportunity to move in a direction he's wanted to pursue for a long time, but never actually had the time or the drive to follow."

So often when someone loses a job, they forget to look on the optimistic side. For your friend losing his job certainly ended on a positive note, and serves well for those who may need a spark of hope that are out of work. Good story!

Edwin said...

If someone is smart and talented, the loss of a job can be a good kick in the pants to get them rising to their true potential. It forces them out of their comfortable and complacent situation and gives them the chance to do what they really want to be doing.

Kimberlee Stiens said...

I have a degree, but have been working fast food for the past 8 months because there's simply nothing else out there, but working part-time has given me ample time to start working on a non-profit that I and a few friends are starting, which will (hopefully) develop into full-time jobs for all of us. Its working out OK so far!

Shadox said...

Tammara - let's be honest, looking on the bright side when you just lost a job is insanely difficult. Losing your job is a very tough thing to go through.

Edwin - Losing a job is absolutely a kick in the butt, and if anything can make you decide to stop relying on anyone else for your income and start working for yourself, this would be it...

Kim - this is a tough, tough market. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you. Both on the job front and on the non-profit front. As you may know from this blog, my wife has been searching for a job for a long time, and in recent months we have seen the job market start to turn around. Many more interviews and activity in the pipeline, until today: BAM, she got an offer. More about that in a separate post. Don't give up and don't get discouraged.

frugal zeitgeist said...

So happy to hear the good news about Alpaca. My SO was laid off ten days ago and so far I'm proud of how he's handling a very difficult situation.

Shadox said...

Frugal - good luck to your SO! I know how rough this can be. Alpaca was looking for a job for about 7 months and the psychological stress on her (and on me, to be honest) was considerable. The important thing is to know that the situation is temporary, even if it feels like it's forever.