Friends, it is an unhappy day for Daddy Hawk.
I received a call from my boss at 3:00 PM today to join him in the HR director's office. I was gently but bluntly informed that I was being laid off due to my position being eliminated. I have never been so shocked in my entire life by anything. Bar none. Other words were said, but they made no sense to me at the time or in hindsight. This truly came out of left field. I could go through my hindsight analysis of the situation, but the end result is that the stated reason for the layoff still makes no sense.
A lot of what transpired between then and when I arrived home is a blur, and I have no doubt I would not give an accurate account if pressed under oath. Frankly, I'm surprised I made it home without getting lost or into an accident.
I have no idea why this happened, but I do know that things will work out for the best. I'm not posting this looking for sympathy, but I would be grateful for any prayers, warm fuzzy feelings and good vibes you're willing to spare.
Erratic posting and irregularly scheduled programming will continue as normal.
BTDT. My hopes and prayers for you and yours. If it matters to you, that was the best thing to happen in my life career wise.
ReplyDeleteKeads, thanks and it does matter. I have faith that it will work out. I just have to get passed the shock of it all.
DeleteFor now, I recommend backing up and take a deep breath and look around. Give yourself 4-5 days. Then work on it.
DeleteKeads, recommendation duly noted. Deep breathing will commence as soon as the hyperventilating stops. Looking around started during dinner. I'll have to use restraint to avoid working on it now since I've already started reaching out to contacts.
DeleteDaddy Hawk,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear your shocking news. Despite the fact that things aren't great in the US, just lately, several of our family and friends who had been out of work for a long time, secured good jobs very recently. Oddly, Linkedin has been a much better strategy than I at first, thought. This is a good time to polish up that resume, and get some of them out there. This may be a shock, but it may also be a chance to secure a position that is even better. Best wishes to you and to that lovely family.
Jane, thanks. I spent some time last night working on the resume and my LinkedIn profile. I'll be hitting that again today. My Sister...The Devil has a friend who is a recruiter who has offered to give both the once over and offer suggestions. I've already reached out to some of my closer business contacts and will be beating the networking bushes soon. There's some positives that I will be able to see once the fog wears off. Right now, I'm just trying to get grounded so that I can think clearly again.
DeleteYou'll come roaring back once you get your head-space back, you've already proved you can go out find something, kill it, and bring it home.
ReplyDeleteStatistically once you've broken into the income bracket you were in, you don't leave it for long. That's because you really are worth it, companies that are actually going somewhere in the long term retain their good hardworking people. Companies that have begun to circle the drain start doing the HR equivalent of robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Odysseus, it's not the find, kill, bring home that concerns me...it's the size and quality of the game. As to the circling the drain vs. going somewhere, all indications were that the company is stable and profitable which is one of the reasons this made no sense.
DeletePraying for you. LinkedIn, Monster, and Career Builder are all great sources for job postings and recruiters are prolific on all of them. With your insurance background I'm positive that you can bounce back. Not sure what your medical insurance background is, but I would be more than happy to send your resume to my VP. Fingers crossed for you!
ReplyDeleteGG, thanks. I've been tweaking my LinkedIn profile some already, and I'll be working the usual suspects in addition to reaching out to my contacts and network. I have no background in medical insurance though there is probably some crossover. It would depend on what the position is.
DeleteShoot me an email and I can tell you the who's and what's. Mandi0808 at that hot mail place.
DeleteGG, email sent.
DeleteDaddyHawk - first off, this is a real blow. like real. so please allow yourself some time to let it sink in and not go running off in a million different directions. this is like losing a family member...and the grief is real. please be kind to yourself.
ReplyDeletei used to work at the Solicitor General of Canada and my specialty was writing speeches, biographies and resumes. if you would like to send me a copy of your resume, i would gladly take a crack at it but the big thing these days...and i mean big thing...is bio/personality profiles. i'd be very glad to write you one.
you and yours are always in our prayers and will continue to be so. but my best advice is to let this sink in, let it fully sink in, get over it once you can and then hit up the job market. you need time to grieve, my friend. this hurts. and i am so sorry for the pain and worry it has caused.
your friend, sending much love to you and yours always,
kymber
kymber, no doubt about it being a real blow. No kidding, I though I was having a heart attack. I was hyperventilating, couldn't talk, and it felt like I'd been gut shot all at once. When I say I've never been so shocked in my entire life, I'm not using hyperbole. I haven't broken down and cried like that since my grandmother died.
DeleteI will gratefully accept your offer to peruse the resume as soon as it is updated which I hope to have done later today, and I would be honored to have you write the bio/personality profile. Look for email later today.
I'm trying hard (maybe too hard) to relax and step back, but my responsibilities as sole provider keep getting under my skin and forcing me to do something even if it's just staring at my resume blankly. And you are right, it hurts like an SOB. The Queen is taking it hard, and even M&M knows something is wrong.
I appreciate the thoughts and prayers more than anything. Thanks again.
Daddy - i think that you have personal email address and if so, send your resume there. if not, send it to kymberzmail@gmail.com. do not worry about updating as we can email back and forth with questions and whatnot. right now is NOT the time to be worrying about your resume. and i promise - by fleshing out your resume and a few emails with questions and whatnot i can write you a beautiful bio/personality profile.
Deleteplease try and let others help you while you are still reeling from the blow. tell the queen that you are daddyhawk - and that you will be on your feet again in no time. sometimes, it's these blows in life that lead us to our incredible destinies. and i have no trouble putting my mouth and my money into believing this will lead you to such an incredible destiny. no trouble.
you need us - you yell. promise?
the thoughts and prayers are always there. anything else is just being a friend.
please promise to take care of yourself. let yourself get over this shock. you have just been through traumatic shock and you need to recover. if i was there, and you will glad that i am not, i would be putting you through all kinds of yoga and meditative moves that you would hate.
so much love, healing vibes, good and warm thoughts being sent your way. but honestly buddy, you can milk this for all it's worth but in the end - yer married to the freakin' queen. and have baby M&M. like really - bahahahahahah!
you are such a good man. we send our very best to you! your friends,
kymber and jambaloney
Kymber, first and foremost, thanks again for your help and friendship. Email with work in progress resume should be in your inbox. No worries about me letting others help. I've learned a lot about humility over the years of dealing with The Queen's illnesses and taking helping hands when they are offered. Swallowing your pride is the hard part. Once you get passed that, it's just a matter of being grateful for the help. I promise I will yell loud and long when needs arise.
DeleteThe Queen knows I will be on my feet again soon. She feels responsible for the situation in some small ways, and we've been working through those feelings today. I've reassured her that it's not her fault and to let go of those feelings. It will take time to get over the stress.
Taking care of myself will be the hard part. Appetite made a run for the border, and I'm not sure which one. Sleep was difficult last night although M&M and I sacked out in the recliner for a while before heading to bed. I was up at 7:30 this morning whether I liked it or not. I'm not opposed to meditation and engage in that regularly. You might get a fight with the yoga though. My body don't bend like normal people.
Thanks again.
I know you'll land on your feet. Best of luck to you.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, thanks. It's not the fall that kills you, but how hard you hit. Right now, I'm throwing as many mattresses and cushions as I can get my hands on while in freefall. Hopefully I land on a soft one.
DeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with y'all.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we need to arrange that range trip sooner than later, help get your mind offa things.
TRE, thanks. I'm tempted for sure. A close friend and I are planning to go to the Fort Worth gun show on Sunday, August 23, and we may go shooting after word. That's a trek for you, but you are welcome to join us.
Delete