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Dave MenterA director of training for Häagen Dazs, Menter was laid off right after he and his wife committed to a complete home remodel. |
Lisa NewellWas a recruiter for 15.5 years at Ameriprise before she was laid off in October, part of a series of layoffs at the financial services company. |
Suzanne WinzenburgA nurse, Winzenburg was laid off before she'd even completed orientation at United Hospital. |
Todd BolHe was fired from the company he started and ran. |
Vickie SwansonShe was an assistant at Regis for five years before it had its first ever layoff in October. Photos by Glen Stubbe |
Vickie Swanson: Fearful and embarrassed five months into her layoff
The biggest thing I deal with right now is the uncertainty of when I will get a job.
It has been 5 months since I was laid off; this is hard to say but I've only had one interview so far.
And things seem to be getting worse with fewer openings and more unemployed people vying for the few jobs that are out there. I never thought it would be this hard to find a job.
Your emotions are a roller coaster; there is the constant self-doubt and ongoing fear. I am aware that my lay-off was something that I could not control, but I feel embarrassed. I wonder if people perceive me as weak because I have yet to find a job.
On a positive note, with all this time on my hands I have decided to refresh my Microsoft Office skills; I will be taking a few courses this next month to stay current.
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And those workers are entering the worst job market in decades. The Star Tribune is following the fortunes of five recently laid off workers, from a nurse to a CEO. We've invited them to write about their experience of being out of work for the next several months. Please follow their lives as they look for work in these trying economic times.