Some people can go their entire life without experiencing a job loss (layoffs or firing) and then there are lucky people like myself who have gone through it five bloody times.

#1 started off in 2000 when I worked at a Receptionist for a Leasing company on the Island.  I wasn't there that long and they laid off a few of us due to funding.   I was young and didn't have a lot of expenses so I quickly decided to move to another province and was working for Staples so it was an easy transfer.  

#2 was in 2011.  I had left a major corporation in search of an Administrative position and to work for a much smaller company.  I did not like the feel of a 200 person office, it was very cold and not a lot of fun.  I was working for a SEO company and after 2 weeks the CEO pulled me into his office and told me he couldn't afford me (this was also 2 weeks before Xmas) and proceeded to lay me off along with a few others.  I was in absolute shock.  I had a toddler at home and had just become a single Mom.  To say this was one of the most stressful times in my life was an understatement.  And also my phone had taken a spin in the washing machine.  That also sucked.

It took me about 1.5 months of job searching to find #3 which was working for another small business as an EA.  My tenure there was longer however the CEO was called out of country for business and didn't come back for 7 months.  Upon his return I was excited to actually start working but instead he laid me off claiming there wasn't enough work for me (which was true).

Well I'm a pro now, the stress of finding a job wasn't as high.  Back on EI I went and 1.5 months later, I got a job #4 with the Entertainment Coupon book which was a huge US company in a Sales Support role.  I was super happy there and lasted almost a year until I got called into my VP's office (she was almost near tears) and told me that it was my last day.  TOTAL shock.  I left without saying much.  I knew the drill.  (I had found out later that the entire company went bankrupt and all 500 of us were jobless. They've since come back under new ownership though.

More EI.  Another 2.5 months off work (hey now I'm starting to like these little vacations.  Sure the money was tight but I had it under control and knew I'd find something eventually).  I then was hired by Clio and the start of a long (finally) tenure at a great company.  I wrote a blog about my job search back in 2013, here is the link.

Fast forward almost 4 years and I was feeling stagnated and wanted to do something different.  I weighed my options and decided to switch from software to Catering.  #5 It was a super small company run by family and while the job itself was great, it was definitely not a fit for what I was looking for.  Unfortunately some negative things appear after you are hired that you can't live with and it's not worth being miserable 50+ hours a week.  Sooo...

BACK ON EI!  

It's been 4 months of not working.  After 5 experiences with sudden unemployment, I've learned a few things and am happy to share the wisdom.  I'm hoping none of my readers ever have to experience this because it really does suck!

• Someway, somehow come up with a buffer.  ANY money will help.  I was always one (1) month ahead.  So at the end of December, I had all of my bills for January paid off.  I now recommend having at least 1.5 months ahead.  You won't know your magic # until you actually sit down with your budget and cross reference EI payments + any additional income against your bills.  I am very thankful for EI (well, it is MY own money) but depending on your living situation (roomates or not, kids or not) it may or may not cover a lot.  In my case I received $956 twice a month which basically covered my mortgage + strata.  So sit down and go through your numbers and then do whatever u have to to get your bank in the green so that when a crisis arrives, you won't be as panicky
• ROE issues can arise.  I experienced it twice with employers.  Twice my employer did not submit the paperwork and as a result, I suffered.  The last company took 3 full months to do anything which means the Government held MY money (that's right, I received ZERO dollars for almost 3 months).  Don't even get me started on a rant.  It's despicable.  There should be penalties to any business that delays this crucial paperwork.  No business should have 100% control over benefits YOU'VE paid into!!!  Since you don't have any control over what they do, you can ensure that you have copies when you leave (and make sure they are accurate!)
• Apply for EI as *soon* as you are out their door.  There is a 2 week waiting period in which you receive no benefits.  The sooner you get your claim in, the sooner you will get your moola
• File your EI reports on time (they are due every 2 weeks) again, you don't want to experience any delays
• Treat finding a job like a job.  The main three websites I use are (in order of favorite):
  • Linkedin Jobs
  • Glassdoor Jobs - also has company reviews.  Take these with a grain of salt.  Most of them are provided by disgruntled employees.
  • Indeed.com
• There are other sites but none of which I have found useful for my search.  In previous years I've considered using Head Hunters and Job Agencies but my personal experience with them (reaching out to them opposed to them reaching out to me) has been fruitless.  Some of the ads posting by job agencies are fake and just a way to get your info in their databank. Frustrating as it's not up front, you think you are actually applying for a real job.
• As time passes on, the # of postings will be less and less and you'll notice one day you have 5+ applications in and other days you'll have zero.  The market is tough! There are a lot of postings but a ton of people looking for work

And for the final update.  I accepted an offer of employment and started on January 30th.  I am beyond thrilled.

A recap of the unemployment adventure:

• I applied for 175 jobs at 175 different companies
• I had a total of 24 interviews (some at the same company)
• I turned down one horrible job offer due to compensation way below the market rate and they wanted me to take a pay cut during my probation period.  No thanks!

I'm hoping this is the last blog EVER on a layoff.  Hope you aren't going through the same thing but if you are, I do hope some of this information is helpful!