[MichiganMovesSouth]

Originally Posted by MittenDweller82

If you can stomach some more cold weather and gray skies for a while, I would highly suggest western subs of Chicago, thousands of IT positions (thousands of jobs in every field) still one of the fastest growing areas, a little on the pricey side but consider the following: only a 4 hour drive back to Mid-Michigan, job security, many more opportunities in many arenas. My brother lost his IT Analyst job with the State of Michigan and was employed in Chicago area within 5 days, making 2x (slightly offset by cost of living) but none the less employment is employment. I wish you the best of luck, my family will also be making the move from Michigan soon.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the advice! We literally just bought a house which may have been a mistake. We searched for years for a house and assumed our jobs were stable enough to buy our dream house (by no means did we overextend ourselves but we were able to get a great deal on a brand new house that had everything we were looking for).

I think we will give it some time in the lansing area and if things don't improve we may have to consider selling...time will tell.

[detshen]

I feel for you because buying a house is a hugely stressful experience, and then adding in a layoff can lead to very scary feelings, but it just happened so there is no need to expect the worse, your husband may be able to find another job nearby in a reasonable amount of time. Lay offs are happening all over the US so the same thing could have happened in another state where you have no friends and family for support. There are jobs out there for skilled people, and many aren't advertised (I used to work in HR) so the best thing to do is network, network, network... Just sending out resumes isn't enough, may people just do that then complain there are no jobs. The jobs are going to the person who knows someone. I wish your family the best.

[Bearcat]

My biggest problem is I can find a job in Michigan but finding a place to stay is another issue and my wife keeps saying "No two households" Well if she looses her job there will be no household to begin with so my point is find a way, she does not understand my logic.

[MGD]

Originally Posted by MichiganMovesSouth

Thanks for the advice! We literally just bought a house which may have been a mistake. We searched for years for a house and assumed our jobs were stable enough to buy our dream house (by no means did we overextend ourselves but we were able to get a great deal on a brand new house that had everything we were looking for).

I think we will give it some time in the lansing area and if things don't improve we may have to consider selling...time will tell.

Selling...you mean renting...lol...everybody else will be afraid of what happened to you happening to them.

Also, at the post above this one...that whole "it's who you know" thing sucks for those of us outside that tight circle of knowledge who are still qualified...in my town the good ole boy network is alive and very well...even white people will say (in this town, i mean, where good ole boy technically should be an okay hiring scenario for them) "if you don't know somebody you can't get a job in this town"...so sad, might as well do away with newspaper ads then, really.

[MGD]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

My biggest problem is I can find a job in Michigan but finding a place to stay is another issue and my wife keeps saying "No two households" Well if she looses her job there will be no household to begin with so my point is find a way, she does not understand my logic.

Sit on your backside for months on end as a "kept man" and when she starts complaining about you not able to do manly things or things you use to do or how carrying the bills solo are weighing down her back, remind her she chose to act CHILDISH in the face of a national recession/depression when you DID go look work with her no two households motto, so rather than force her to give up hers, you decided to play housewife and preserve one household.

Might change her tune rather quick. lol. Being overworked gives a man character. All it gives a woman is wrinkles and probly a nonexistent sex drive to top it off.

[Crustedfilth]

sorry to hear about your situation. 18 months of unenjoyment now so that should help you keep your head above water.

[detshen]

Originally Posted by MGD

Selling...you mean renting...lol...everybody else will be afraid of what happened to you happening to them.

Also, at the post above this one...that whole "it's who you know" thing sucks for those of us outside that tight circle of knowledge who are still qualified...in my town the good ole boy network is alive and very well...even white people will say (in this town, i mean, where good ole boy technically should be an okay hiring scenario for them) "if you don't know somebody you can't get a job in this town"...so sad, might as well do away with newspaper ads then, really.

I'm sorry to hear you have a "good ole boy" stronghold in your town, in most larger cities social and business circles tend to be more open because people come and go more. I actually didn't mean it to be discouraging, my point was a job hunter needs to network and meet as many people as they possibly can so they are more likely to be thought of if an opening arises. People are more likely to hire someone they have even the tiniest personal connection to. You can meet people at Chamber of commerce events, trade organization functions, etc. In my experience people often want to help if you let them know you are looking, and you are nice to them.

It's true, very few people are hired from newspaper ads, sometimes the ad is only placed to meet employment laws, that's the last resort for hiring, often the resumes that respond to the ad are filed away without a glance. The good news is you don't necessarily need to be someone's brother or college roommate though, the personal connection that gets your foot in the door could be someone you met once who knows someone who is hiring. When looking for a job brushing up on social skills is as important, if not more so than polishing the resume.

[MGD]

Originally Posted by detshen

I'm sorry to hear you have a "good ole boy" stronghold in your town, in most larger cities social and business circles tend to be more open because people come and go more. I actually didn't mean it to be discouraging, my point was a job hunter needs to network and meet as many people as they possibly can so they are more likely to be thought of if an opening arises. People are more likely to hire someone they have even the tiniest personal connection to. You can meet people at Chamber of commerce events, trade organization functions, etc. In my experience people often want to help if you let them know you are looking, and you are nice to them.

It's true, very few people are hired from newspaper ads, sometimes the ad is only placed to meet employment laws, that's the last resort for hiring, often the resumes that respond to the ad are filed away without a glance. The good news is you don't necessarily need to be someone's brother or college roommate though, the personal connection that gets your foot in the door could be someone you met once who knows someone who is hiring. When looking for a job brushing up on social skills is as important, if not more so than polishing the resume.

Very true, but the time it takes to do all that and turn it into cold hard cash biweekly...people would starve to death and end up homeless...

The point of laws was to streamline the job process...ads should mean 2 to 4 weeks later you have been interviewed and either accepted or denied...seems like all the laws do is send the offending activities underground...ack.

Nursing is upfront and no good ole boy stupidness required...no need to pussyfoot around the pay, they tell you straight up in the ad or the nurse recruiters will before even interviewing you...

I like openness and getting to the blasted point. If i'm looking for a job i'm already broke, don't aggravate the situation making me jump through hoops and kiss kiss kiss up like I'm a circus act.

Which is why eventuallyI will own my own business...bust my backside for my own benefit...

[FESTER]

Well if you are already in Lansing, then try the state of Mi. I hear they are looking for IT people.

[PineHallGirl]

Originally Posted by MichiganMovesSouth

I'm sorry for you and your husband as well. I can't believe MSU let him go - I was under the impression that MSU would be doing ok. I can't see them having too few students to fill the university...hmmm. we had thought of looking into that for a job for him but maybe not. Was your husband in IT?

Best of luck to you as you search elsewhere for jobs.

MMS...Unfortunately, MSU is just like all other businesses...in horrible shape. The grants were not coming in anymore and my husbands job was mainly paid for by grants. We have never seen it as bad as it is now. They told him he was "laid-off", but really they elimated his position.

I hope you guys find something....it's scary...but there are some good jobs to be filled...I think///I hope....Good Luck to you and your husband, I know how hard it is to have any faith at all.