Who's Been Fired??

[xubrew]

When you get fired, essentially your employer is telling you that given the choice between you and nobody, going with nobody is the preferred option.

I've never been fired (I was laid off once), but I did recently interview for a job that I really wanted. They called my current employer and told them that they were going to make me an offer (this is the custom in the industry that I work in). So, naturally, I was expecting an offer and was preparing on getting everything in line as to what I wanted. Well, that's code for I was trying to figure out as best I coud the maximum amount I could get out of them because I wanted as much as I could possibly get. I was also making arrangements to move.

So, the phone call comes, and I get a message to call them back as soon as I can. I call them back. And I'm told.......

They've decided to not fill the position.

I don't know what it feels like to get fired, but I imagine it feels a lot like how I feel now. They had a choice between myself and no one, and they went with no one. Gee, I wonder who's cheerios I pissed in between last week and now. I will also be curious to see who in that department will be getting a raise in the near future.

It probably feels worse to be denied parole, so I guess things could always be worse.

[DC Muskie]

It could have been much worse. Never been fired, but have laid off people and was recently laid off when the company found out they actually lost $2 million.

[LadyMuskie]

I don't necessarily think it's strictly a you vs. nobody scenario. I know when I worked in HR at the firm, we sometimes thought we were going to have the money to hire a new paralegal, secretary, lawyer, etc. and began the interview process when something came up and the money just wasn't there to make that kind of commitment. We sometimes took months and months to interview people, and in that time, a lot could change (like one of our partners dying) that left us in a lurch.

So, look at the bright side, it might not have had anything to do with you, but rather with the finances of the company or the idea that they may be restructuring, may have heard someone else is leaving and want to combine roles, etc.

Good luck to both of you in your job searches!

[boozehound]

I got (kind of) laid off when my company reorganized several years ago. It turned out to be one of the best things that happened to me. My position was eliminated and they offered me a job I didn't really want in a city I didn't really want to move to, or a severance package. I took the package, and found another job before my last day.

It was kind of unnerving not having a job for a while though.

I also agree with Ladymuskie. I have seen hirings go wrong for all sorts of reasons. For example I was trying to fill a position once when the company I worked for enacted a hiring freeze. We were at the final interview/ready to offer phase.

If you got that far along in the process it wasn't about you.

[MHettel]

get over it, you sissy.

Over the course of your career, you'll witness a million worse scenarios.

I knew a guy ( a real dickface) that left the company I worked for and took a job at an up-and-coming tech firm. He was the CFO and had a really big compensation plan, including stock and some protections against a buy out. Within a week of starting, the place got sold to Microsoft for MILLIONS and MILLIONS, which as the new CFO he should have been aware of.....

...and his awesome compensation plan had not yet been approved by the board of directors, so basically he got nothing but a pink slip. Now THAT sucks.

I know another guy that I worked with at a terrible place we all hated. he got lucky and got a job at T-Mobile, then announced his departure. like a week later, T-Mobile gets bought (I think by ATT, and the deal later fell apart) and they pull their offer. Now THAT sucks.

How about this one. A buddy is a KEY finance guy at a large construction firm (builds buildings, etc) but the place is a mess and he decides to leave. A buddy of his hooks him up with a much better job at a much better company so he quits. the old company BEGS and PLEADS with him to stay, and ultimately ups their offers to exceed what he was going to get at the new job, but he hates it so much that he tells them "no." Then, like a dumbass, he's going through the formality of filling out the job app at the new company and checks the box that says "college degree?" the new company does the background check and he DOESNT have a degree (he was working on it still). The CFO says he cant hire the guy due to integrity issues. So, on the night his old company was throwing him a going away party, he fakes a breakdown and tells everyone that he just can't leave and he loves the place too much and asks if he could still accept the counteroffer. So what started as a "going away" party winds up being a promotion party and the guy that absolutely hated his job has to act like he absolutely loves it. So he's makeing more money and is more miserable than ever (although he brought in on himself). not THAT sucks.

[LadyMuskie]

get over it, you sissy.



This is helpful advice. Are you a guidance counselor or a psychiatrist? I so hope that your career choice involves helping people and offering advice to help them through whatever it is that they might be going through.

[nuts4xu]

MHettel has a way with words. Very tactful.

[blueblob06]

My wife as well as a friend have both interviewed for positions at companies recently only to be told that they will no longer be filling those positions.

In neither case did the company contact them. My wife called and emailed them to eventually learn that the company was starting a hiring freeze and all current openings will not be filled.

It's nuts to me how so companies never get back to you with a letter or a simple email that just says "sorry, we filled the position" or "sorry, we've entered a hiring freeze and can no longer hire for this position".

[xubrew]

get over it, you sissy.


This is helpful advice. Are you a guidance counselor or a psychiatrist? I so hope that your career choice involves helping people and offering advice to help them through whatever it is that they might be going through.

It's fine.

The real tragedy is that I'm still stuck at my old job. I love the industry that I'm in. I'm just not the biggest fan of my current situation. I've had three job offers in the past and ended up deciding to stay because I was made to understand that things would be different....and they remained the same. I promised myself I wouldn't make that mistake again, so I was ready to dive head first into this one.....and they decided to go with no one. I will get over it. It's just that right now I'm still going through the phase of thinking about how nice things could have been if only.

[nuts4xu]

Are you at liberty to say what industry you work in Brew? Just curious. Maybe someone on the board can help you with a better job opportunity.

[GoMuskies]

Are you at liberty to say what industry you work in Brew? Just curious. Maybe someone on the board can help you with a better job opportunity.

Brew's a pimp.

[Smails]

I knew a guy ( a real dickface)

This sounds a lot like "hey doc...i got this 'buddy' who thinks he might have the clap"

[Titanxman04]

I know that whenever I was called up for a reference, we simply could only say that the individual worked at our store. As a corporate store, we aren't allowed to say whether or not we would hire them again or why they left their position/quit/was fired. There have apparently been lawsuits of slander against companies who left negative responses when called for a professional reference. Due to that, we couldn't even technically say a positive thing about the person either.

I wish you luck, Brew. I am curious as to the field you're in. Let me know where about you are too.

[paulxu]

The real tragedy is that I'm still stuck at my old job.

You may not be able to see it today, but that is not the real tragedy.
The real tragedy is being out of work.
At least you have a job and that security while you look for the next one.
Keep at it.

[muskiefan82]

I am a supervisor in Human Resources and I have had to have the "you checked the wrong box, sorry" conversation as well as the "we are no longer filling the position" conversation. There are a multitude of reasons why an organization chooses not to fill a position they have advertised for that have NOTHING to do with the candidate. Reorganization of internal departments, a need for funds elsewhere that has become emergent, a change in leadership or strategic direction, lean initiatives that may change the scope of the position, etc. Perhaps they simply hired a new hiring manager from UD and they immediately decided to not hire an XU grad. The good news is that if that is true, then the company is doomed and you are better off at your current job.

[boozehound]

My wife as well as a friend have both interviewed for positions at companies recently only to be told that they will no longer be filling those positions.

In neither case did the company contact them. My wife called and emailed them to eventually learn that the company was starting a hiring freeze and all current openings will not be filled.

It's nuts to me how so companies never get back to you with a letter or a simple email that just says "sorry, we filled the position" or "sorry, we've entered a hiring freeze and can no longer hire for this position".

Most HR managers suck. I'm sorry to offend people here who are HR managers, but my experience with them at the multiple companies I have worked at is that they have no sense of urgency and extremely poor follow up skills. Hopefully all my fellow Xavier grads that are in HR are the exceptions to this rule.

I don't know what it is about HR that attracts those types of people, but it truly seems to.

[THRILLHOUSE]

I know that whenever I was called up for a reference, we simply could only say that the individual worked at our store. As a corporate store, we aren't allowed to say whether or not we would hire them again or why they left their position/quit/was fired. There have apparently been lawsuits of slander against companies who left negative responses when called for a professional reference. Due to that, we couldn't even technically say a positive thing about the person either.



The last place I worked at in Cincy had that same policy. Made things a little annoying for me when I moved to Austin and was looking for a job since that was only company I worked at post-College.

[blueblob06]

Most HR managers suck. I'm sorry to offend people here who are HR managers, but my experience with them at the multiple companies I have worked at is that they have no sense of urgency and extremely poor follow up skills. Hopefully all my fellow Xavier grads that are in HR are the exceptions to this rule.

I don't know what it is about HR that attracts those types of people, but it truly seems to.

100% agreed. I can't believe how worthless some HR departments can be. One company I was at was less than 20 employees so no HR person. They had a handbook that covered everything that was ever needed. It was great.

[smileyy]

The real tragedy is that I'm still stuck at my old job. I love the industry that I'm in. I'm just not the biggest fan of my current situation. I've had three job offers in the past

Well, this should tell you that you're in demand. You're the one with the bargaining power here :)

[smileyy]

HR should be kept out of hiring -- they don't have nearly enough skin in the game.

[PMI]

So you didn't get the job and you got called a sissy by the softball walker? Damn, brew, this isn't your day, dude.

[X-band '01]

Are you at liberty to say what industry you work in Brew? Just curious. Maybe someone on the board can help you with a better job opportunity.

If Brew's still working at the same job for the last 3 or 4 years, let's just say that in theory his position should offer lifetime job security.

#UABrew?

[mohr5150]

My situation was kind of odd. I work on a year-to-year contract. I was not happy at all with a new boss that came in with his own people and treated the people who had been there before him awfully. When you see those stories about horrible bosses, he fits the description to a tee. He could easily get hit with a workplace harassment suit by several of my coworkers, but they are in fear of being blackballed or losing the lawsuit then losing their jobs. My wife and I decided that I would not attempt to re-up for the next contract due to the stress it was causing me, so I went in to a meeting with my horrible boss and his boss proactively with an agreement of my own. I told them I wasn't planning on returning. I then asked for several stipulations, which they both agreed to (kind of a severance package). After they agreed, I told my boss's boss how horrible my boss was, not only to me but to most of the people I work with. He didn't seem to care a whole lot, but it made me feel better saying it in front of that horrible person. At the end of the meeting, my boss told me they weren't planning on renewing my contract anyway. So, I guess if I hadn't gone into that meeting prepared and proactive, I would have kind of been fired, if you think not getting your contract renewed means you are fired. I didn't really care, though, because I was proactive and got what I wanted. I still had a couple of months left on my contract, and I found another job before my contract was up. I gave 18 solid years to my place of employment, but I'm only looking forward to my new position, which starts in a few weeks. I truly believe that Karma will get both my ex-boss and his boss for the unethical ways they treated my coworkers and me.

[LadyMuskie]

mohr5150;401112]My situation was kind of odd. I work on a year-to-year contract. I was not happy at all with a new boss that came in with his own people and treated the people who had been there before him awfully. When you see those stories about horrible bosses, he fits the description to a tee. He could easily get hit with a workplace harassment suit by several of my coworkers, but they are in fear of being blackballed or losing the lawsuit then losing their jobs. My wife and I decided that I would not attempt to re-up for the next contract due to the stress it was causing me, so I went in to a meeting with my horrible boss and his boss proactively with an agreement of my own. I told them I wasn't planning on returning. I then asked for several stipulations, which they both agreed to (kind of a severance package). After they agreed, I told my boss's boss how horrible my boss was, not only to me but to most of the people I work with. He didn't seem to care a whole lot, but it made me feel better saying it in front of that horrible person. At the end of the meeting, my boss told me they weren't planning on renewing my contract anyway. So, I guess if I hadn't gone into that meeting prepared and proactive, I would have kind of been fired, if you think not getting your contract renewed means you are fired. I didn't really care, though, because I was proactive and got what I wanted. I still had a couple of months left on my contract, and I found another job before my contract was up. I gave 18 solid years to my place of employment, but I'm only looking forward to my new position, which starts in a few weeks. I truly believe that Karma will get both my ex-boss and his boss for the unethical ways they treated my coworkers and me.[/QUOTE]

This story makes me really sad. I guess it's because I think I remember you saying you're a teacher, and it bothers me that this is how things are being handled when it comes to who is educated are children. Good luck at your new job!

[Kahns Krazy]

Hopefully, you are experiencing a "things happen for a reason" instance. I interviewed for a job several years back. I was perfectly qualified, had references in the company, and I really wanted the job. I went through 4 rounds of interviews, including a 8-on-1 interview with the entire senior management team and the office dog. It was a total slam dunk. Even the dog loved me, and they claimed the dog loved no stranger. After my last interview, we had hammered out comp, benefits, etc., and the offer letter was essentially a formality. After a couple weeks of stalling and silence, they informed me they were filling the position internally.

I was fuming. I had been so abused. I couldn't believe the process they had put me through and then yanked out the carpet at the last minute.

6 months later, the company lost 2 major accounts that crippled it. The company still exists, but barely, and there is no way that I would have had a continuing role.

Only time will tell in your case, but I'd be willing to bet that in a few years you will view this turn of events as a positive.

[bjf123]

Been fired twice in my professional career. The first time was after the owner of the business wanted me to change some numbers on a report to the State. I said no. The next day, he said he couldn't sleep the previous night thinking about what I said, and that I needed to leave.

The second time was just not a good fit. I thought I was going in to a newly created executive position. Found out after I got there that I was actually the fourth or fifth person in that position over the last five years. Apparently, no one has been a good fit. I think that position was still open over a year later.

It sucks to be fired, but sometimes shit happens. You deal with it and move on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

I'd be willing to bet that in a few years you will view this turn of events as a positive.

Brew, I'd weigh in with Kahn's and others with this sentiment.

At (a youthful, mind you) 54 years of age, I'm gathering my thoughts and deciding whether to share on this one.

I could tell The Time I Was Fired Story, The Time I Fired the Company Story (two of those), The Time They Should Have Fired Me But Didn't (and Then Took The Time to Coach Me Up) Story, The Period of My Unemployment That I Made the Most Of and Actually Enjoyed Story . . .

Brew, you will learn from this and thrive. Onward!

And by the way, if your industry is anywhere near manufacturing, industrial services, etc., it is hellishly slow right now. We laid off people a couple weeks back. No hiring foreseen. I wouldn't even dream of asking for more heads.

"Cheers!"

[Porkopolis]

This story makes me really sad. I guess it's because I think I remember you saying you're a teacher, and it bothers me that this is how things are being handled when it comes to who is educated are children. Good luck at your new job!
As a teacher who is also married to a teacher, I'm sad to that is the way of the education profession today. Particularly as it relates to my experience in Catholic schools. I've seen many, many teachers treated poorly; some of them were excellent teachers who just so happened to be expensive.

[xubrew]

Hopefully, you are experiencing a "things happen for a reason" instance. I interviewed for a job several years back. I was perfectly qualified, had references in the company, and I really wanted the job. I went through 4 rounds of interviews, including a 8-on-1 interview with the entire senior management team and the office dog. It was a total slam dunk. Even the dog loved me, and they claimed the dog loved no stranger. After my last interview, we had hammered out comp, benefits, etc., and the offer letter was essentially a formality. After a couple weeks of stalling and silence, they informed me they were filling the position internally.

I was fuming. I had been so abused. I couldn't believe the process they had put me through and then yanked out the carpet at the last minute.

6 months later, the company lost 2 major accounts that crippled it. The company still exists, but barely, and there is no way that I would have had a continuing role.

Only time will tell in your case, but I'd be willing to bet that in a few years you will view this turn of events as a positive.

I hope you're right Kahns. I must admit that it wouldn't be the first time I was pissed at the moment, but happy down the road.