I got retrenched and it's depressing

[engr_neechee]

Hi Sisses,

Pa-rant lang.  After praying for this job and this salary for two years, the company I'm working for will be letting me go.  This job was really an answered prayer - the pay, the work schedule, the company I work for. 

Come Monday, March 6, I would no longer be required to report at the office.  Yes, I'll be getting a severance package but here I am, slowly getting depressed.

I work as a Messaging Systems Engineer.  The client that I'm working for was bought by a bigger bank.  Since the other accounts can't be handled by a non-US citizen, they are letting us go. 

How can I find something as perfect as this in the soonest possible time if it took me two years to pray for it?  My skillset isn't one that is "one size fits all."  There were several headhunters who called last year but I didn't entertain the opportunities they present since I was very happy and contented with my current employer.  They were very generous with the salary increase too.

I was informed of the redundancy last January 30.  I took January 31 off to clear my mind and to make a game plan.  I studied new technologies and even had myself certified.  Still, most processes end up with the initial interview.  It's really sad when someone said she will endorse me to the client and wait for my client interview schedule, then suddenly dedma na lang.  I tried following up, but the recruiter didn't bother to reply. 

Lahat ng pwede kong pasahan ng resume, pinasahan ko - all my friends sa industry, kahit walang opening.  Nagbabakasakali lang. 

I am so confused, sad, scared.  I don't know what to do. 

[latte]

Cheer up! It's not the end of the world. i understand that it is hard to accept things but going against the flow will make it harder for you. There is always a reason and a lesson when the going gets rough. Pero when you finally learn the lesson and move forward to the new chapter you will understand why you are put in that situation.

Keep the FAITH sis. Trust God that He surely knows what He's  doing and trust yourself that you are capable of handling the situation well.

[Fidelis8]

hugs to you sis..
believe that God has greater plans. Something greater and far perfect than what you had in that job will be given to you OR who knows with the severance pay you got, you can put up a small business. Take advantage of this time to contemplate on what you really want in your life while you still continue submitting your resume.

[mimiku]

Coming from an HR Recruiter I say you'll be alright. Believe me, you have a lot of opportunities ahead of you. Your skill set is unique. You just need to wait. I understand, your situation is quite dreading. Been there, done that. But look at the brighter side, you will have another opportunity to explore better career options. Just keep on passing resumes. Update your Linkedin and lalo na Jobstreet (kasi if you update or active ka sa JS, nagpopop-up profile mo sa mga recruiters). Why don't you also try to broaden your options - like try applying abroad? Relax and enjoy. Huwag papressure. You will have a job soon.

[engr_neechee]

Maraming salamat mga sis for the encouragement. 

Eto pa rin ako, waiting.  Yung isang hindi na kako kumibo, nagtext kahapon and nag-apologize for not replying agad, saying na wala pa rin daw feedback ang client. 

Hirap na hirap pa rin ang pakiramdam ko kasi wala pa rin akong offer from kahit saan.  Gusto ko nga maghomebased na lang pero yung inapplyan ko last week, naibagsak ko naman yung simulation exam kasi hindi yun ang field ko.

Dasal lang ako nang dasal.  Kaso nagdodoubt na rin ako kasi nga, feeling ko todo effort ako sa pag-apply pero walang nangyayari. 

Isa pang concern ko, sabi ko nga, this job that I'm leaving was perfect - bago ako pumirma, I made sure na yung shift schedule ko is yung gusto ko which is 5am, pati yung pay saka nung time na yun, breastfeeding pa ako.  Kapag kinakapos sa gatas, I work from home. 

I just lost my job pero feeling ko lahat ata nawala sa akin Ganun yung feeling

[handlewithcare]

Tama sila, TS. Don't lose hope. PUSH - Pray until something happens.

Ako nga gusto ko ding ma-retrench para may severance pay. Hehe. Pero alam kong malabong mangyari yon. Kaya no choice ako kundi mag-resign voluntarily. So isipin mo na lang na maswerte ka pa din kasi may ibang taong gustong ma-retrench pero hindi nare-retrench.

[Zoeh]

You're still lucky sis. Ako nga since December pa walang work tapos hindi binayaran ng dati kong company pero I'm still trying to be positive. I know that God has something for me at sayo din. You just have to be positive para di ka madepress. Ganun talaga masakit kasi minahal na natin yung work even the company pero ganun talaga ang buhay hindi natin hawak ang desisyon ng management. You just continue trying sa iba't ibang job sites darating din ang company para sa atin. 

[jaja27]

Hi sis, hirap ng sitwasyon mo pero you have to look at the bright side ganun din kasi ginagawa ko now. Four years na ko now sa work ko dito abroad, at first kami lang muna magasawa then eventually nun naging stable na work ko kinuha na din namin un mga kids. Now nagaaral na un eldest and un bunso ko naman iniiwan sa baby sitter. Kun kelan naman kinuha na namin yung mga kids prang delikado naman ang lagay ko dto sa work. We just had our loan approved last month bcoz we plan to buy new house sa pinas. Although di pa nmin nagagalaw yung money. Then this news came out last week na nirerequire ng management na magbawas ng 10% of the staff sa department nmin and dun sa 10 % kasama pa ako. Either ilipat ng ibang department or totally tangalin. I'm still hoping na ilipat na lang ng department kasi sobrang hirap maghanap now ng work dto kc me silent recession ang oil and gas company dto sa middle east. kahit everyday struggle na sa kin pumasok sa work kasi demotivated na ko still nililift ko na lang ke God cause I know he has better plan for us. Sabi nga nila nothing is permanent in this world kahit na sobrang saya natin sa work natin and even if binigay na natin lahat minsan me way si God na iremove satin yung mga bagay na sobrang vinavalue natin. And I'm sure its for the better. Lagi ko nga sinasabi sa mga friends ko na we may not understand the reason right now kung bakit nawala satin un mga bagay bagay but eventually marerealize din natin na pinlano talaga ni God yun. Trust lang tayo sis.

[Jade_D]

Hello sis engr_neechee

Kumusta ka na? I just want you to know na hindi ka nagiisa. 1 year akong jobless before, although mostly by choice at kakaresign ko lang ngayon. Minsan nagiging definition na ng sarili natin ang ating job and we feel worthless when we lose it. Kahit hindi ko gusto ang previous job ko, nung mawalan ako ng work, nakakababa nga ng self-esteem at nakakatakot magapply sa mga jobs na hindi ko naman linya. I tried applying sa call center at bumagsak ako then nagtry ulit at nakapasa. To think na akala ko magaling ako mag-English, haha. Hindi ibig sabihin ng di ka nakapasa ay may problema sayo, minsan talaga swertihan lang yan. Marami ako naging co-workers na mas hindi  fluent sa English pero 1 apply lang sila, ako 2.

Nakailang rejections din ako. Kung talagang nawawalan ka ng pagasa dahil sa rejections na natatanggap mo, try mo muna magapply sa mga jobs na medyo overqualified ka para maboost ang confidence mo kahit konti.

Try mo din magapply sa mga online jobs. Example ng websites na na-try ko ay upwork. Nakagawa na rin ako account sa rarejob at onlinejobsph although di pa ako nagtutuloy ng application.

Goodluck saten mga sissies. God bless.

[Evolet027]

Hi Sis TS! How are you??

You know, I was in the same situation 4 yrs ago. Nawalan ako ng work, I am the provider, my husband has no work din, tapos ako din nawalan ng work kasi hindi na nag renew yung client namin. So ayun, 4 mos akong depressed, gang naubos na yung naipon namin na emergency fund, nabaon kame sa utang just to get by sa araw araw, bayarin. But you know what? Yung situation, it brought me closer to God. Nung nawalan ako ng work, nagka time ako ipagluto ang asawa ko at anak ko, ako ang magpaligo at magpatulog sa anak ko. Ako ang mag asikaso ng lahat lahat sa bahay, mag laba, luto, linis. Habang wala akong work, I keep on praying. Then after 4 mos, dumating yung  right job for me. I guess. I waited patiently. I prayed hard. Pinagsilbihan ko ang asawa at anak ko na hindi ko nagagawa kasi I was so busy sa work. It made me realize yung mga things na nakalimutan at napabayaan ko na pala. As of now, eto, mag 4 yrs na ko sa work ko. I was blessed with a good work, good pay, good work schedule, para maasikaso ko pa rin ang pamilya ko. Don't loose hope. Always see the bright side in every situation.

[engr_neechee]

Hello mga sis,

Maraming salamat sa mga reply nyo.  The job market has been tough on me.  Sa field kasi namin, usually, kapag nainterview ka na ng HR, they will show you the budget (kung hanggang magkano ang kaya nila).  Sa totoo lang, the IT field is a generous one, lalo na sa specialists.  Kaso lang, I failed two paper screenings - kaya nakakababa ng self-esteem. 

May isang akala ko aabot na sa sa pirmahan kasi napapunta ako sa technical interview, only to find out that the manager really didn't paper screen my cv.  As a result, it was such a waste of time and money - napakalayo pala ng kailangan nila sa skillset ko. 

May isa naman akong pinuntahan kasi dayshift.  Hindi nila ako tinanong magkano nakukuha ko.  Chineck ng asawa ko yung jobstreet and he kept on adjusting the "expected salary" to find out kung magkano kasi sabi niya, "Wag mo na puntahan.  Parang L1 position eh."  I was desperate kaya sabi ko kahit PhPXX,000 papatulan ko.  Ayun, upon initial assessment kinausap na ako nung HR na wala pa man lang sa kalahati ng kasalukuyan kong nakukuha ang ceiling nila.  Sad lang.  Interesado pa naman sana ako dun sa job pero lugi talaga eh. 

Sabi rin ng isang HR sa isang previous job ko, pwede ka namang tumanggap ng mas mababa yun nga lang mahihirapan ka na ulit kumuha ng malaki ulit. 

It's also a fact na kakaunti ang opening ng Messaging Engineer/Administrator ngayon.  Napakailap talaga ng mercado sa akin ngayon.  Ang masama pa, kadalasan shifting.  Eh gumraduate na ako sa shifting six years ago.  Two years na rin akong hindi pumapasok kapag Philippine holiday.  Makita ko lang yung anak ko ngayon at naiisip ko yung fact na baka maging shifting ang makuha ko, naiiyak na ako.  Ayokong iasa sa yaya ang pagtabi sa anak ko sa gabi.  And it would feel like an empty home kasi night shift din ang asawa ko. 

Sabi ng isang friend ng Dad ko, pray for what you need - the salary, the schedule.  Last week, I felt so hopeless.  May tumatawag pa rin naman sa akin and whenever a company calls, it uplifts my spirit.  My husband said, "Law of averages lang yan.  Sa dami ng tumatawag sayo, may isa diyan na para sayo.  Hintay-hintay ka lang."  Naku mababalaw na ata ako kakahintay. 

Sabi rin ng mga kakilala kong nasa upper management, hindi hiring season ang Q1.  Usually Q2. 

Pero eto ako, masisiraan na ng ulo kakaisip.

I am the kind of person na laging "preventive maintenance mode."  Never naubusan ng bigas, mantika sa bahay.  May kumalampag lang sa kotse, dala agad sa mekaniko.  I've never been in this much uncertainty in my entire life.  And I have no other choice but to just lift it all to God.

[Evolet027]

Hi Sis,

Same tayo, palagi din akong may nakatabing spare ng mga gamit sa bahay, palaging may Plan B.
I know what you feel, but don't loose hope. Dadating din yan, be patient. Tanggalin mo yang worries mo and always think na anjan ka sa situation na yan, hindi ka pababayaan. "God will provide". Yan lang palagi ang iisipin mo.

[ayi0119]

engr_neechee, musta na?

[engr_neechee]

Thank you for asking sis ayi0119

March 23, I went to an interview.  Hindi ito tulad nung ibang tumatawag sa akin na sinasabi agad kung magkano ang budget for the post and then tatanungin ka if you'll proceed.  Pagdating dun, pinafill up ako ng form then kinausap ako nung HR.  Sabi, the best offer we can give is not even half of what you are receiving right now.  Ending pinauwi ako.  That same day, may nag-add sa akin sa LinkedIn.  It turns out na it was a recruiting staff for one of those companies na inapplyan ko sa Jobstreet.  Naipasa ko yung dalawang interview doon - Technical Interview saka Interview with the Project Manager.  I was done with two interviews with them before Holy Week tapos then sent me an email na they are met with a headlock kasi the CEO (who is actually the last interviewer) is too busy with client meetings.  I was looking good on all their cards daw.  So ayun, umasa ako.  Ng bonggang-bongga.  Let's call this company, "Permanently Work From Home."

Background again.  March 31 nagsinus surgery ako.  Siyempre nagpagaling muna ako.  That was my last hurrah for the HMO kasi ang effectivity ng tenure ko was April 8.

April 11, nagising ako ng madaling araw na parang silaw.  I analyzed during the day, I could see a stain sa right eyesight ko.  Sabi ng aunts ko, effect pa raw yun ng anesthesia. 

April 18, I already consulted an opthalmologist - a general one at that.  Pinaundergo ako ng Macula scan and I was referred to a Retina Specialist.  To make the long story short, dalawa ang nakitang sakit sa mata ko - isang leak ng fluid (due to stress daw) and may tear ang retina ko.  I ended up having laser at the soonest possible time (April 20). 

Yung pinasahan ko ang interviews, I stopped following up kasi ang hirap naman nung nagmamakaawa ka.  Nagpapagaling pa rin ako both ng ilong at ng mata.

That was the week after Holy Week na inaasahan ko na sanang may offer from "Permanently Work From Home." 

At dahil wala pa rin akong offer, sige pa rin click kay Jobstreet.  One company in McKinley, let's call them "M", contacted me while I was waiting in line sa Optha.  Pinuntahan ko sila last  Tuesday.  Pinasahan ko ang interviews - both technical and sa Service Delivery Manager.  Two interviews lang then decision na.  They know I can start ASAP.  Wednesday night, the recruitment girl called, clarifying if I can do night shift.  Sumagot pa rin ako ng oo.  THEY WERE MAKING TAWAD.  She said she'll try to work it out kasi alam niya asking ko.  Hindi sila tumawag ng Thursday.  If they offered, malilito din ako kasi they have 14th month pay.   Ang problem ko kasi sa kanila is hindi pabor sa baby ko yung schedule nila.  Part of me, feel nang tanggapin to as if mauubusan ako ng company na tatanggap sa akin.  I felt bad na hindi pa sila nakapag-offer.

Here comes Friday (a holiday in Makati.)  There's this company, let's call them Y.  Si Y ay inapplyan ko the next day after I was informed mareredundant ako, which was January 31.  I applied via Jobstreet.  February 11, they got in touch with me, sending me an application form that I had to fill up.  Since may game plan na ako noon, I told myself magfofocus muna ako dun sa upgrading ng skillset ko (Office 365).  Dinedman ko muna email ni Y. 

Would you believe, nareplyan ko si Y ng March 16 na?  After passing two certifications exams.

Come March 28, nag-email si Y na filled na raw yung position. 

Then, April 17, nag-email ulit si Y, asking how I was and if I was still interested.  I said yes.

Last Friday, naipasa ko both interviews kay Y.  Turns out may friend pala ako na doon nagwowork.  Sabi tanggap na raw ako.  I'll be starting ng May 15.  I was unprepared for the technical interview kasi hindi na ako nagrereview or nag-aaral talaga. 

Hindi ko masabing tapos na ang unos kasi wala pa akong job offer.  Probably Wednesday ako papapuntahin for that.  Sure na raw sabi ng friend ko kasi the hiring manager confirmed it with her. 

Ngayon pa lang ako magkakalakas ng loob na magclearance sa company na nagredundant sa akin.  And by the way, Y is not making tawad sa presyo ko

Sana tuloy-tuloy na ito mga sis.

[yn061515]

^ God is good!
Binigyan ka muna nya ng time off para magpagaling at maitama ang issues sa health mo and when you're ready, he gave you what you're asking for. Happy for you! Mabait talaga si Lord sa hindi nagsasawang lumapit at kumapit sa kanya. 

[ayi0119]

^^ Think positive lang at makukuha mo na ang kapalit, baka higit pa sa dream job mo dati.

[engr_neechee]

Ang saya-saya mga sis May offer na si Y.  Yun nga lang, buong package na yung mismong asking price ko.  Akala ko kasi gagawing basic yun plus allowances. 

Pero come to think of it - IT'S AN OFFER!

I'll ask them to give me until Thursday to sign the offer.  Kasi may final interview pa ako with company "H" tomorrow at 3pm.  (Wink!)

Tama yung sabi ng husband ko.  Magkakasabay-sabay yan at ako pa ang mahihirapan raw mamili.  Salamat sa lahat ng santong tinawag ko sa kalangitan.  Salamat sa Diyos dahil nakulitan na ata sa akin.  Ang lakas ko talaga sayo, Lord!

[yn061515]

^ sis, kamusta na? How was your interview with company "H"?

[engr_neechee]

^ Hi Sis,

I signed na with Y.  H is like an agency.  They don't to taxes daw.  They were offering a tempting amount as net.  Yun pala you will be declared as a minimum wage earner.

Y is the answer to my prayer.  I signed na.  In fact, may invite ako to  join their company outing pero I had to beg off. 

God didn't fail me kahit na I doubted him.

I saw the silver lining sa nangyari.  Nung una kasi, while I was at the job that I lost, iniisip ko, sinwerte lang ako.  I didn't know what I did to deserve such high pay.  Pero ngayon, after ko pumasa sa tatlong technical interview, I believe it was God's way of telling me that I deserve it after all.

[Yamski]

I'm so happy for you sis. Congrats!