Jobless Oppo...

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart) 05/18/2016 at 15:56 • Filed to: Yay...

2

38

For the past two months I’ve been working my dream job, something that would have secured my future for years to come. A job I loved going to every single day...and now, it’s all gone. I got fired on the spot.

So what happened? My contract got terminated. I fixed the tech so well they they just haven’t had any issues since I fixed them. And thus, they feel they don’t need an in-house techie anymore. “I can pay a guy in Jordan half the price to do the same thing you do.”

My mum was right, I won’t amount to anything but a failure.

Take a sweet C7 for your time...

d15b > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 16:00

0

Time to make the best of a bad situation.

Make sure you get references/contacts. Connect to them on LinkedIn. Get back on the ball.

HammerheadFistpunch > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 16:02

13

Um...isn’t fixing it so well that its not broken anymore the opposite of failure? Don’t do the get downs, doesn’t do anyone any good. Im not going to lie and say that it doesn’t suck and that you shouldn’t feel gutted, but you’ve got a marketable skill and the economy is improving...there is going to be work out there for you that will either be better or lead to better things. Just keep after it.

For Sweden > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 16:03

0

Is Jordan a known hub for this kind of work?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 16:04

8

This is a common problem for IT and Tech related jobs.

I’m in Digital Asset Management and I’m grateful after I fixed the system the company even keeps me to keep track of the files. I’ve heard of people coming in organizing all the files/servers and getting thrown out as soon as it’s done.

Don’t let it get you down it’s a major problem in that industry. I know it especially sucks to be fired for doing a good job or for no reason. I’ve been let go before and all the nice words don’t ever seem to help.

Take the time to learn. When I was unemployed I either spend 40 hours a week applying for jobs, or 30 hours and 10 hours of training.

By the time I got hired after all that time I had taught myself how to code actionscript 2 and 3 for Flash. It’s what got me the next job.

Ike > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 16:04

1

Meh change is always good in the end I have discovered. Plus if your good enough to fix something permanent I'm sure they will give you a glowing letter of recommendation,

RyanFrew > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 16:05

9

The joy of IT. When nothing is broken, they say “What are we paying you for?” When something breaks, they say “What are we paying you for?” ;)

What kind of work do you do, specifically?

yamahog > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 16:07

3

sorry to hear that, Mercedes :( contract jobs can be BS like that, and you know you’re mom’s not right about your future.

How close are you to Northrop Grumman’s Rolling Hills location? I remember looking to transfer out there years ago and they have some IT/system admin positions open now. Should give you more job security!

E90M3 > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 16:12

0

Join the oppo unemployment club, I lost my oil job last month. I feel your pain, being jobless sucks.

RallyWrench > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 16:14

0

Wow, that’s got to be hard to take, I’m sorry hear that. I really hope you don’t believe your last line before the pic, you’ve well established that your mom is wrong about you. You’ll find something, and at the very least this job is probably good for the resume, right?

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 16:14

4

When one door closes

Countless more open

Chariotoflove > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 16:21

0

I know it doesn’t seem like a good thing right now, but it might work in your favor someday. By doing a great job, you probably secured a glowing recommendation, which you might use to get an even better salaried job at a larger company with more security and decent benefits. Hang in there and have faith!

Steve in Manhattan > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 16:23

0

Well, fuck those people.

Did they at least have to buy out your contract?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > For Sweden 05/18/2016 at 16:23

7

Yes

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 16:25

0

Sounds like your now former employer would make a great reference. I mean who wouldnt hire someone who was let go from their last job because they were too good? Good luck.

EL_ULY > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 16:26

0

been in this situation once.... er..... 4 times. You have skills, don’t be picky, and get hunting. For any tips, you’ve got friends :]

boredalways > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 16:26

0

You’re in the Chicago area, right? If so, don’t sweat it. Call up your temp agency and they most likely have you in a new position by the end of the month!

For Sweden > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 05/18/2016 at 16:32

14

Why do you have to ruin so many lives :(

Ike > Ike 05/18/2016 at 16:32

1

(I mean meh as in fuck those guys not in meh this is nothing to be clear)

For Sweden > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 05/18/2016 at 16:33

12

Air pressure is truly a miracle

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > For Sweden 05/18/2016 at 16:35

0

Because that is life.

JustAnotherG6 > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 16:35

0

.

mazda616 > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 16:38

2

Sorry to hear that. :( Praying for you.

I don't think you're a failure. Sounds to me like you're quite the opposite! You did such a good job, the company stupidly thought they didn't need you anymore. It'll bite them in the ass someday, I'm sure. And you can smile knowing you're better off for having the experience and by then you'll be on to bigger and better things!

E92M3 > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 16:56

0

Sadly this has become IT. They only need personnel in the building to move equipment as they play musical offices. Everything else can be done remotely.

PS9 > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 17:17

0

Im sure he could also get some random asshole on craigslist to do it for 1/4 of that, but good luck with the quality control there. You get what you pay for.

Klaus Schmoll > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 17:30

1

Unemployment sucks. Been there, done that, something about T-shirts. Have a beer or two tonight to get the frustration out of your system, and start hunting tomorrow. Don’t let yourself go into a funk like I did, and many of my friends as well

How open are you to moving? I know that you just got a new appartment, but is it possible for Miss Tesla to move as well? Maybe a new start at a new place is just what you need right now?

Mercedes Streeter > RyanFrew 05/18/2016 at 17:57

0

The best way to describe what I do is that I’m a Sys Admin? However, I also specialize in many different things within tech, so while I kept their systems running, I hacked iPods, rebuilt the computer I’m posting this from (they let me keep all the toys I’ve played with), and many other fun things.

Mercedes Streeter > For Sweden 05/18/2016 at 17:58

0

They’re an up and comer in the game...TBH, the guys they replaced me with are absolutely garbage at their jobs.

Mercedes Streeter > Klaus Schmoll 05/18/2016 at 17:59

0

I literally cannot afford to move right now. I have $7k coming and it just went from being for “fun stuff” to “fuck, I gotta survive”.

Mercedes Streeter > Steve in Manhattan 05/18/2016 at 18:02

0

Yes, kinda. They’re giving me what my pay would have been for today, tomorrow, and Friday on top of whatever is still owed to me. It was literally a “pack your shit and get out” deal.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 18:14

4

Ah... I’m sorry to hear that Miss Mercedes. But I strongly recommend that in spite of how you feel, ask them if you can use them as a reference and maybe even get them to write you some recommendation letters.

And I wouldn’t say this is a sign of failure. It’s a sign that you were working for a delusional cheapskate who is an idiot for thinking the person in Jordan will provide service as good as you.

You got terminated for budgetary reasons, not because you did a bad job.

And that means that place can be a valuable reference for you.

thinslicedbread > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 18:22

0

I’ve been there...

I was looking for a side tech gig a few years ago and found this small counseling center looking for someone to come in and work “quarter time” - They didn’t advertise that specifically, but that’s what it turned out to be.

After the first 6 months bringing in an extra $10.5K, I came in one day and the executive director brought me in his office and said that they “no longer required my services”. I giggled for a moment and thought about how far I had brought them - The previous person they had left them in shambles with outdated, duct taped in some cases computers and no wireless AP’s for the therapists to walk around with their laptops with, no centralized storage, no remote access, etc...etc...

Then it hit me - I worked myself out of this job .

Long story short, I did too good of a job too quickly. If I would have stretched out all of my updates and improvements, the gig would have lasted a lot longer.

The plus of that came out of this is after working out an agreement with the ED, I basically do all my work pro bono and they let me have free reign over the network and systems. They pay for all the toys and I get to play with them. It has turned out to be a good way to learn new things and experiment without having to beg for anything.

Steve in Manhattan > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 18:25

1

A long time ago, I worked for a seriously fucked up law firm. They fired an associate while she in the air, coming back from a business trip. She found out when she landed. Same firm: guy found out he was fired when his door card didn’t work. Just complete assholes.

Mercedes Streeter > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 05/18/2016 at 19:11

2

Bossman said he’d be happy to provide a reference...he’s even paying me the rest of the money I would have earned had I worked the rest of the week.

Getting fired on the spot did suck...I literally had 5 minutes time to get my crap and leave...which took a LOT of energy within me not to burst into tears right away.

As for me feeling like a failure, it’s hard to beat that thought process. It’s something my mum planted into my brain over a decade ago, and it’s something my therapist and I are constantly working on.

shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 20:02

0

I’m really sorry to hear that, but don’t internalize it like that. People get fired, shit happens, it doesn’t mean you are or will be a failure.

The best teacher I know got fired a couple months ago for no damn reason. He’s got another job now, so fuck those idiots who fired him. The same will be true for you.

nermal > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 20:49

0

Your mom is an asshole.

Also, sorry to hear about your job. Unfortunately those things happen, and sometimes it is completely beyond your control. Don’t take it personally. Welcome it as an opportunity to find something even better.

You need to own it though - Take a day off to collect your thoughts, then file for unemployment, spruce up your resume, and get back to looking for a new job. Don’t sit around moping about and hating on yourself, it will only make things worse. You can do it!

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Mercedes Streeter 05/18/2016 at 23:02

2

Well you have plenty of evidence that your mom is wrong and you are right.

And of course *I* know I’m right about you not being a failure...

:-)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Mercedes Streeter 05/19/2016 at 10:16

0

When they call you back in a month or two, be sure to demand double salary and a contract.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Mercedes Streeter 05/22/2016 at 21:46

0

My mum was right, I won’t amount to anything but a failure.

No. Not allowed. It’s a slippery slope when you start thinking this shit and you start demonizing yourself. You need to cut the toxic out of your life as soon as possible, and it sounds like that will begin with evaluating your relationship on your mother and getting rid of any dependency you still have on her. You’re a grown woman, learn independence and how to not let your mother decide your fate.