Unemployed in the Auto Industry

The first time I was laid off, which was thirteen years ago, I decided I was better off without a job. Sleeping in late, lounging around in my pajamas all day and enjoy being a bum was all I did. But I knew that had to change eventually, like as soon as my unemployment ran out, so I finally got a new job.

Twelve years went by at that job, and I was a very good employee. The office management position required a lot of focus and hard work, which was fine because it’s what I knew how to do it with my eyes closed, and I ran an office with about 75 employees.



When I first started there I had the feeling it would be the same environment with the same annoying customers and overbearing co-workers as my previous job. But actually I loved the people I worked with and ended up forming some great friendships.

I did the best job I could and was always on time and prepared. That office was run without a hitch for 12 years. And then, when the recession started, sales at the company went down a lot and I ended up being in the first round of lay-offs. It had been a good, long run, but I was unemployed again, and in one of the worst times ever.

I’ve been looking ever since (I got laid off eight months ago) and haven’t even been able to get an interview, even though I have applied for every type of job that even is CLOSE to office management and registered with several temp agencies. Several hours of each of my days are devoted to job hunting, and there’s still been nothing.

Thankfully my unemployment has been extended but I’m desperate to get back to work and very frustrated at the lack of responses I’m getting. I guess I just try and stay optimistic and remember what my grandmother always said: This too shall pass.

By: R. Montes, Cherry Hill, NJ 9/03/2009\n\n [ratings id="803"] Show This Story Some Love