I Got Laid Off

14
July

I’ve been reading the dreadful unemployment numbers on Clusterstock for months, and laughing at the funny image that always accompanied them. I was amazed at the shear number of people getting laid off and who are currently out of jobs. Now I’ll be part of those statistics when the July unemployment numbers are released.

Yesterday was my last day with WeSeed, along with several other colleagues of mine. We were canned effective immediately. Pretty wild.

The outpouring of support has been awesome. And as crappy as it is to be laid off, I don’t want anyone feeling sorry for me. The truth is, millions of people have lost their jobs recently, and the good majority of them are probably worse off. I don’t have children or a mortgage to worry about (although I do have a puppy and rent :P ). Luckily (not really) I wasn’t making a whole lot, so I won’t be missing a whole lot either.

So what now? That’s the beauty of it I suppose. I’m not really sure. I’ll have more time to run ChicagoTweetups, and perhaps expand what we do with it. I’ll have more time for blogging, which I haven’t done regularly in wayyy too long. I’ll also have more time for my role at Lakeshore Branding.

In the meantime, I’m interested in whatever might come along. I’d love to work on some projects, maybe work with some small businesses or non-profit organizations. I’m always up for a challenge, so perhaps I’ll switch gears and head into PR or media.

If you know of any opportunities I might be a good fit for, feel free to email me brandonzeman at gmail dot com. Of course, you can get a hold of me on Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin if that’s more your speed.

Everyone says things like this happen for a reason, and that I’ll be better off. I tend to agree :)

Posted on by Brandon

35 Comments

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  • http://redletterhaze.com/ Maggie

    While unemployment sucks, at least you have time to do fun summer things while the rest of us are stuck in an office. Enjoy your “funemployment” (as my friend likes to call it) while you can.

    really like the image you used too. :-)

  • http://redletterhaze.com/ Maggie

    While unemployment sucks, at least you have time to do fun summer things while the rest of us are stuck in an office. Enjoy your “funemployment” (as my friend likes to call it) while you can.

    really like the image you used too. :-)

  • http://redletterhaze.com/ Maggie

    While unemployment sucks, at least you have time to do fun summer things while the rest of us are stuck in an office. Enjoy your “funemployment” (as my friend likes to call it) while you can.

    really like the image you used too. :-)

  • http://redletterhaze.com/ Maggie

    While unemployment sucks, at least you have time to do fun summer things while the rest of us are stuck in an office. Enjoy your “funemployment” (as my friend likes to call it) while you can.

    really like the image you used too. :-)

  • http://redletterhaze.com/ Maggie

    While unemployment sucks, at least you have time to do fun summer things while the rest of us are stuck in an office. Enjoy your “funemployment” (as my friend likes to call it) while you can.

    really like the image you used too. :-)

  • http://redletterhaze.com/ Maggie

    While unemployment sucks, at least you have time to do fun summer things while the rest of us are stuck in an office. Enjoy your “funemployment” (as my friend likes to call it) while you can.

    really like the image you used too. :-)

  • http://redletterhaze.com/ Maggie

    While unemployment sucks, at least you have time to do fun summer things while the rest of us are stuck in an office. Enjoy your “funemployment” (as my friend likes to call it) while you can.

    really like the image you used too. :-)

  • http://redletterhaze.com/ Maggie

    While unemployment sucks, at least you have time to do fun summer things while the rest of us are stuck in an office. Enjoy your “funemployment” (as my friend likes to call it) while you can.

    really like the image you used too. :-)

  • http://redletterhaze.com/ Maggie

    While unemployment sucks, at least you have time to do fun summer things while the rest of us are stuck in an office. Enjoy your “funemployment” (as my friend likes to call it) while you can.

    really like the image you used too. :-)

  • http://redletterhaze.com/ Maggie

    While unemployment sucks, at least you have time to do fun summer things while the rest of us are stuck in an office. Enjoy your “funemployment” (as my friend likes to call it) while you can.

    really like the image you used too. :-)

  • http://redletterhaze.com/ Maggie

    While unemployment sucks, at least you have time to do fun summer things while the rest of us are stuck in an office. Enjoy your “funemployment” (as my friend likes to call it) while you can.

    really like the image you used too. :-)

  • http://nate.racklyeft.com/ Nate

    I know it sounds kitsch, but “you'll be better off” totally came true after I was laid off from my last position. hang in there, you're versatile and talented.

    P.S. you didn't have to take your WeSeed blog widget off the site…

  • http://freeandflawed.com/ Jenn

    Remind me to tell you about an opportunity with GiveForward.org. It's unpaid, but I know they can use some social media geniuses.

  • http://redletterhaze.com/ Maggie

    While unemployment sucks, at least you have time to do fun summer things while the rest of us are stuck in an office. Enjoy your “funemployment” (as my friend likes to call it) while you can.

    really like the image you used too. :-)

  • http://nate.racklyeft.com/ Nate

    I know it sounds kitsch, but “you'll be better off” totally came true after I was laid off from my last position. hang in there, you're versatile and talented.

    P.S. you didn't have to take your WeSeed blog widget off the site…

  • http://freeandflawed.com/ Jenn

    Remind me to tell you about an opportunity with GiveForward.org. It's unpaid, but I know they can use some social media geniuses.

  • http://phampants.wordpress.com phampants

    Being laid off sucks, I went through the same thing. It's rough but keep your head up high

  • http://brandonzeman.com brandonzeman

    Thanks, Nate. Ha, I actually took it off a while ago- if you need a site to test it out on, I'll put it back up for ya.

  • http://phampants.wordpress.com phampants

    Being laid off sucks, I went through the same thing. It's rough but keep your head up high

  • http://brandonzeman.com brandonzeman

    Thanks, Nate. Ha, I actually took it off a while ago- if you need a site to test it out on, I'll put it back up for ya.

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  • cuteella

    So sorry to hear that. Good luck!

    And it does happen for a reason…better for each of us opportunities are out there sometimes we just need a kick in the ass to look for them!

  • http://curiousillusion.com/ Ari

    Hey… jumped on over here from Jenn's blog. Sorry to hear about getting sacked, that's awful. I left my last job to move cities so I'm currently looking for a new job… it's tough going, I know. (Luckily, as a teacher, I have another month til I need that job) Best of luck, hope you find a job and soon!

  • http://brandonzeman.com brandonzeman

    Thanks for stopping by Ari! Congrats on making the jump to a new city. Being a teacher I would HOPE you don't have too difficult of a time finding work. Good luck landing that job, and enjoy your new town!

  • cuteella

    So sorry to hear that. Good luck!

    And it does happen for a reason…better for each of us opportunities are out there sometimes we just need a kick in the ass to look for them!

  • http://curiousillusion.com curiousillusion

    Hey… jumped on over here from Jenn's blog. Sorry to hear about getting sacked, that's awful. I left my last job to move cities so I'm currently looking for a new job… it's tough going, I know. (Luckily, as a teacher, I have another month til I need that job) Best of luck, hope you find a job and soon!

  • http://brandonzeman.com brandonzeman

    Thanks for stopping by Ari! Congrats on making the jump to a new city. Being a teacher I would HOPE you don't have too difficult of a time finding work. Good luck landing that job!

  • http://www.mispersonality.com/ Katie K

    I was laid off (and “canned effective immediately!”) on June 19th, just a day or so before the beginning of summer. I was so disappointed and bummed, knowing I had the whole summer before me without a main purpose.

    It's been about a month now of job searching and I'm realizing after hearing from some people that were in similar situations that it might take as much as 6 months to find a new job!

    Enjoy it though – it gives you the opportunity to look at every day differently and strive to make the most out of it all on your own…

    And I agree with Nate – I think we will all be “better off”

  • http://brandonzeman.com brandonzeman

    When I graduated in December (07) I didn't find anything worthwhile until next October, and even that was an unpaid internship. But good luck usually follows, and I found a paying gig shortly there after which is where I was at until Monday. I totally agree, Katie- I'm going to enjoy my time as much as possible, yet still be just as focused and dedicated as I have to be to find something new. Good luck with your search!

  • http://www.mispersonality.com/ Katie K

    I was laid off (and “canned effective immediately!”) on June 19th, just a day or so before the beginning of summer. I was so disappointed and bummed, knowing I had the whole summer before me without a main purpose.

    It's been about a month now of job searching and I'm realizing after hearing from some people that were in similar situations that it might take as much as 6 months to find a new job!

    Enjoy it though – it gives you the opportunity to look at every day differently and strive to make the most out of it all on your own…

    And I agree with Nate – I think we will all be “better off”

  • http://www.mispersonality.com/ Katie K

    I was laid off (and “canned effective immediately!”) on June 19th, just a day or so before the beginning of summer. I was so disappointed and bummed, knowing I had the whole summer before me without a main purpose.

    It's been about a month now of job searching and I'm realizing after hearing from some people that were in similar situations that it might take as much as 6 months to find a new job!

    Enjoy it though – it gives you the opportunity to look at every day differently and strive to make the most out of it all on your own…

    And I agree with Nate – I think we will all be “better off”

  • http://brandonzeman.com brandonzeman

    When I graduated in December (07) I didn't find anything worthwhile until next October, and even that was an unpaid internship. But good luck usually follows, and I found a paying gig shortly there after which is where I was at until Monday. I totally agree, Katie- I'm going to enjoy my time as much as possible, yet still be just as focused and dedicated as I have to be to find something new. Good luck with your search!

  • http://brandonzeman.com brandonzeman

    When I graduated in December (07) I didn't find anything worthwhile until next October, and even that was an unpaid internship. But good luck usually follows, and I found a paying gig shortly there after which is where I was at until Monday. I totally agree, Katie- I'm going to enjoy my time as much as possible, yet still be just as focused and dedicated as I have to be to find something new. Good luck with your search!

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