Troubling Economic Times / Job Cuts

Sorry to hear of your recent debacle. Perhaps there will be a ray of sunshine out from under that cloud. You may find yourself better off in five years because of the change. Only if you try to improve can you and we know those who are motivated and dedicated can always improve. Lemonade from lemons as they say, your just in the squeezing process… God Bless! BCB

I have been on the unfortunate side as well in the last year or so (twice). The two companies I worked for before my current job have both completely shut down and are now out of business. I decided to put myself in a better position with a larger company in the same industry that I have been in for the last 17 years. It has payed off for me so far but not for the employees I repraced. We are still making cut backs and it seams like every other week somebody else in gone and the ones that are left have to take their resposabilities. I know we will all bounce back from this and become stronger people. I have lost just about all my worldly possesions that I had 2 years ago. But they are just things at this point in my life. I have 3 healthy, wonderful little girls a wonderful wife and a best friend. What else do you need? Maybe having the boat back would be nice but there will be another day. Opportunity does not knock, then knock again, then leave a note saying “sorry I missed you”. “When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” Alexander Graham BellDESERTDWELLER.COM “GET YOUR BASS IN THE BOAT”

If you can do E&P work in the oil patch, take a look at PennEnergy.com. They have a pretty good listing and several of the midcontinent producers are having trouble filling spots. Tough work and long days, but the money is good while it lasts. Plus, I looked at the site and City of Longview is looking for a City Engineer just posted today – click the link or search for the city on the “modify search” bar. Also, Chesapeake is hiring around Shreveport (I think). http://careers.pennenergy…&networkView=national I can tell you that the E&P segment is really active, but will warn you that it isnt always. If you decide you are willing to look farther away, the more options you will have. Good Luck, John

My great and good friend, Gary Harlan, is speaking truth. Unemployment sucks, and it just happened to me, after 19 years of working 40-55 hour weeks, in two different major industries, and at an executive level. Three professional certifications and demonstrated impact and achievement meant nothing. One guy decides to make a change, read the tea leaves differently, and your world changes. We will ride this out, we will recover, but it will not be fun, at least not for a while. To those of you that have friends that are going through this–check on them. Offer words of encouragement, call them. It is very easy to fall out of a routine, to get “lost”, especially if you have not had to look for work in a while. That is a skill all in itself. Friends mean a lot–a whole lot–Gary is a good one. Everyone should have at least one friend like him. Mike Whitten

I worked for the same firm, very large, for 18 years. I had survived several rounds of downsizing until a few years ago, it became My turn. Not fun but I turned lemons into lemonade by starting my own firm and competing with my former employer. I developed a business model where I could compete on a much smaller budget. While they continued to downsize I continued to grow. If you are in an industry where that is a possibility, please consider it. It is a leap of faith to do it but from that point forward your destiny can be in most part, in your hands. Prayers to all going through difficult times. Hopefully we will begin to pull out of this soon. Best of luck in whatever decisions you make. Phil