With so many layoffs coming from so many directions, you're far from the only person in your situation. If you're both unemployed and single, why not work on ameliorating both of these problems at once? Seek out available singles of your preferred gender who are also without work in either the dive bar scene or on dating websites. When you find a suitable person, you'll have someone to help waste those long, long days with. And instead of feeling like you need to go out on weekend nights to places that sell pints of beer for $8, you can stay in, watch episodes of Battlestar Galactica on your laptop that you downloaded via BitTorrent, eat those beans (which you'll be cheered up enough to cook) and have lazy, unshowered sex. It's a cheap weekend on a number of levels.
7. Admit defeat and go back to school
OK, so going back to school because you lost your job is basically admitting that you've failed at adulthood. And going and getting something like a MFA in creative writing is essentially like going to a camp for nerdy adults that will leave you further in debt than when you started. But hey, for those three years how awesome will life be? You'll be drinking 25 cent pitchers of beer with a bunch of Midwestern 19 year olds who will be totally enraptured with your horror stories of working in the big bad real world. And your job will be TAing, as I understand it, which I seem to remember not looking like a very tough job. And let's face it, the alternative to this is moving back home with your parents, and I'm certainly not going to suggest such a horrible idea to you. So it looks like getting your masters in medieval literature it is! You're welcome.
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Recent Comments | 22 Total
January 25, 2009 at 11:15am by John Agno
Most laid off executives think it is important to "go it alone" due to their belief in the myth of individualism; they hold tightly to the idea that everyone succeeds or fails on the basis of individual efforts and abilities. This assumption is so powerful that when an alternative view is suggested (that success depends on our relationships with others as much as it does on us) the usual reaction is denial. Denial of the role of relationships in the executive's success and failures preserves the self-enhancing illusion that we are masters of our own fates.
That said, before a laid off executive shoots him or herself in the foot by networking without knowing what he or she wants in a career move, I strongly suggest they talk with job coach or counselor to become clear of where they want to be. More at: http://coachingtip.blogs.com/coaching-tip/career/
February 7, 2009 at 12:16pm by Josh Bersin
I would add something else. I was laid off once, and it is a real emotional shock. But once you're home for a few days, its time to take stock of your true skills and interests: think about what makes you world-class. This opportunity to really think about becoming "deep vs. wide" is what makes many people later say "being laid off was the best thing that happened to me."
Here are some thoughts from an HR perspective as well.
http://www.bersin.com/Blog/post/Deep-vs-Wide--The-New-Career-Development...
February 8, 2009 at 1:31pm by Jane Smith
Was this article supposed to be funny? The advice in it was downright stupid and offensive.
February 15, 2009 at 11:07am by Dan Haerens
I read this article looking for tips that would actually be of some benefit. Instead I was told to "Mooch" off my friends? The entire article was a waste of my time.
February 23, 2009 at 12:41pm by Craig Brown
I was laid off a while back and found that there were virtually no resources to help me. So, I got together with some fellow geeks and created a social network for laid off people. Kind of a Facebook on the dole.
Check it out: www.layoffsupportnetwork.com
Lots of people are contributing information about how they are surviving this horrible situation.
March 12, 2009 at 5:43pm by Laurie Caldwell
This is such a serious topic right now that I think the attempt at cute humor here comes off as really adolescent. Humor is always important, but this is just tasteless, juvenile, and not that helpful in terms of content.
March 13, 2009 at 3:03am by Jessica Wood
I registered on Fast Company specifically so I could comment about how offensive and useless this article was. Not funny. I will be checking out Craig Brown's friendly looking link posted 2.23, to hopefully find what this article lacked. Grow a heart Frucci.
April 11, 2009 at 4:34pm by Ile Ar
You have lost credibility with this article. Why bother reading anything else posted here?
April 11, 2009 at 4:35pm by Ile Ar
You have lost credibility with this article. Why bother reading anything else posted here?
April 11, 2009 at 4:36pm by Ile Ar
You have lost credibility with this article. Why bother reading anything else posted here?
May 2, 2009 at 9:46am by eric shannon
I don't think there's anything wrong with being entertaining as long as the information is good and this is reasonable advice. on the other hand, a lot of people are suffering now and can probably use deeper more thoughtful strategies.
--
Eric Shannon
President, LatPro, Inc.
INTERNETinc.com | DiversityJobs.com | LatPro.com
June 23, 2009 at 12:44am by Alexis Monroe
... or you can be your own boss and start living like you want to.
http://www.steveandalexis.worldventures.biz/ Click "about us" and see why many are choosing to be unemployed - working a few hours a week with this great company isn't really work!
August 6, 2009 at 10:39am by Mohamed Abdelaziz
this is a serious waste of time, even for a laid-off person who seems to have plenty of time..
August 12, 2009 at 8:34pm by Matt Webb
I dont normally look at things like this but being unemployed, very recently divorced at the cost of about 30k, walking away from almost everything that I owned, no health insurance, sitting in my two bedroom apartment that is being rented month to month and which I was just notified that it was being foreclosed on, taking care of not one but both of my children that were just diagnosed with the swine flu, my exwife chewing on my behind because she feels that I am not capable of taking care of them, I found this article quite entertaining and it even gave me a real chuckle. Why doesn't everybody lighten up a bit.
thanks for the chuckle
August 21, 2009 at 4:33pm by Sergio Mokko
The crisis caught so many people by surprise. Many have lost their work, the top managers of banks was fired, those who own automobiles, and went to work in a taxi. Just this time you need to survive. This period should end. By Sergio
September 28, 2009 at 12:37am by Sarah Sav
Layoffs are never easy to take... in most cases things work out for you in the long run. Remain positive and focused is the key - change is an amazing thing when you can accept it. Sarah @ $30 Date Ideas
October 10, 2009 at 8:45pm by David Venkman
Or how about taking a short holiday while you decide what to do with yourself? Come and visit me! http://4-caribbean-villa.com/ and you'll be feeling better in n time :)
October 21, 2009 at 3:07pm by John Aeder
4. Check Craigslist Once Per Day. Good idea. I read the article, chuckled at the futility of it all, checked Craigslist anyway, answered a never before seen ad for a position in my actual industry, and landed an interview for next Tuesday. Thanks for the jerky article, Adam Frucci, you actually accomplished something tangible today with your sarcasm. :)
October 28, 2009 at 12:26pm by mike bern
Simply amazing content.I really love your article very much. Thanks for sharing your view with us.
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November 17, 2009 at 9:19am by dew drops
Well you can turn getting laid off into a springboard to, if not riches and happiness, at least a few steps above complete destitution and desperation
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November 17, 2009 at 4:29pm by illusion life
The intern whose resume you pulled from the slush pile was promoted the day you packed your boxes.
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November 17, 2009 at 4:35pm by illusion life
The intern whose resume you pulled from the slush pile was promoted the day you packed your boxes.
billigt internet ||billigt bredbånd