CheezyOranges

So a week ago, April 3rd, I was laid off. I’m a web designer, and I was working for a company that predominately contacts clients through their online store – though most of their deals are brokered by sales people via email or over the phone. But their main conduit to the world – their only real conduit to the world is their website. And they fired their web designer. Bonkers…

What they don’t tell you is how it feels, when your boss comes into your office and closes the door and your stomach hits the floor, because you know you haven’t done anything wrong – you hope you haven’t – and you know this is serious. And then the words “we have to let you go.” God.

My boss was, at least, polite. But I didn’t get anything out of the deal. I get my last paycheck, and I have insurance through the end of this month. Then I’m on my savings, and if I don’t find another job in under three months, I’m packing up my stuff, breaking my lease, and moving in with my parents – which means my chances of finding a new job go from 50/50 to next to nothing (my parents live in a fairly non-metro area that most likely has few openings for web design).

What they also don’t tell you is that you are going to be pissed off. Not necessarily enough to burst out in anger or even tears, but enough that you feel degraded and wronged, and enough that your self-confidence (which you need most right now while trying to find a new job) will basically walk out the door the moment you leave your old office. Honestly, I am livid. They could’ve given me some notice – had they told me a week earlier, I could have at least finished the project I was in the middle of when my boss walked into my office. If they notified me a month in advance, I could’ve been religiously saving my paychecks and at least LOOKING for a new job when I got home. And I could’ve not spent a large sum of money on a new washer and dryer.

That is what has me right now – I was being responsible. I had money coming in, I felt that I could assume a small debt on my credit card. Now? I feel like an idiot. What – you can’t stand taking your clothes to the laundromat twice a month and feeding quarters to the machines? Noooo put yourself into debt! Go on! It won’t hurt, till you get laid off in a month… Glorious.

Also, if you have insurance now, you won’t be able to afford it after you are let go. Even with the new stimulus package taking the brunt of the cost, my current insurance coverage still costs $50 MORE than I was paying monthly with a salary… so how the HELL am I supposed to afford it on unemployment, which is something like 50-60% of what you were getting before? At least it isn’t the $400 I would have to pay otherwise. That’s just ridiculous. Truly ridiculous. Maybe that’s why they laid me off – they didn’t want to pay $300 a month to keep my uterus devoid of babies. Bastards.

So, lets summarize these first few points:

• Apply for unemployment THE VERY FIRST THING!
• You’re going to feel like crap, but don’t get angry at your boss until after you’ve left…
• If you’re given notice take your finances seriously and start looking for a job – if not, your job now becomes looking for a new job. Spend accordingly
• You are going to lose your medical insurance unless you get a nice severance package, so be ready for that too.

4 applications / resumes out. Nothing yet. Wish me luck.