Laid Off

[hi-power]

Sorry for the shameless personal promotion, but I was laid off Friday (along with 20 good folks in my office).

I've been in programming/data processing for the last 10 years working in the direct mail business. I can usually learn new or unfamiliar software pretty quickly.

If anyone knows of a lead, please let me know.

Also my wife was laid off a year ago. Any leads in telephone reception or admin assistant would be great also.

Thanks.

Patrick

[brianko]

Have you and your wife considered starting your own business, or doing some IT contract work? While IT hiring is down, contract opportunities are up. My suggestion (if you can afford to do this) is to take a few weeks to think about what you *really* want to do. I've been there too, and after 15 years in the IT business and getting laid off during the dot-com bust, I decided I wanted to branch out and try some things I've always wanted to do. So I got my teaching certificate, and do IT contracts on the side: The best of both worlds, and I don't have to sit in a cube all day long. Plus, it's a good feeling to actually contribute something back to society rather than work to line some CEO's pocket with profits.

Whatever you do, please don't jump right back into the job hunt without taking some time to formulate a game plan.

[Rugrash]

I'd say apply here at HP but they are whacking 24,000 people (mostly EDS people from the merger) starting on Monday.

Good luck!

[hi-power]

brianko - Good food for thought. I'll see if I can think of something that I've wanted to do, but didn't have the time.

Rugrash - I hear ya. I worked 8 years at "ED's Garage" and had to get out. Too much travelling. Still have a few friends there, but they mentioned the layoffs also. Good luck to you.

[Venus Pax]

Charles Cotton and Nitrogen have posts further down on this page about job postings. I'm not sure if they are a fit with your training and areas of expertise, but it doesn't hurt to look.

Charles was looking for a receptionist for his law office, and nitrogen posted about a linux-something-or-other. Sounded computerish to me.

[The Annoyed Man]

I sent you a PM.

[hi-power]

Thanks Venus Pax. I sent nitrogen a PM about that job he posted. Also, my wife would love to apply for the receptionist job in Charles' office, but we live too far away from him.

The Annoyed Man - I sent you a PM back.

[nitrogen]

Waving hello

Got your PM.

[hi-power]

Waving hello

Got your PM.

Back at ya, (sent a reply about 2 minutes ago).