Jobless in West Seattle? Keri wants to meet you

Don’t let the smile on Keri Robinson‘s face fool you – She’s coping, as are so many these days, with unemployment. We got a note from her this afternoon that said, in part: “I am a West Seattlelite who was given the pink-slip from Microsoft about 2 months ago and curious about a couple things. First, do you know where all the other pink-slipped Seattlelites hang out? It’s been about 2 months post layoff – and I have yet to really run into anyone, everyone seems to be hibernating or something. After about my first month, I came out of my shell and decided to start blogging about my experience as an unemployed person, but I am hoping to find some of the others out there – we are in the same boat and despite the long lonely journey through unemployment land ahead of us – I was hoping I could try to recruit some of our local pink-slips to be guest bloggers on my site.” So we asked Keri to send us a photo and told her we’d put out the call to you – if you happen to be in the jobseeking mode – you’ll find her site, Lords and Ladies of Leisure, by going here; her e-mail address is on the “about” page. (We’ll be adding her site feed shortly to the WSB Blogs page, too.)

25 Replies to "Jobless in West Seattle? Keri wants to meet you"

  • snowlion March 18, 2009 (3:49 pm)

    I’ve been unemployed since the beginning of December due to layoffs. I’m not sure where I’m supposed to “hang out”, since I can barely afford to breathe; I “hang out” at home.

  • greg March 18, 2009 (4:31 pm)

    got the slip on Jan 1st, local government sector. Its so hard to get back into local gov here too now.

    There are free or cheap nights at pubs/bars and pool halls throughout Seattle throughout the week too, you just gotta find ’em. I won’t post them here.

    The W Seattle Parks are also a great find to get you outdoors. My bike helps me relieve a lot of frustration and the parks are wonderful (jack block is my fav)

    Plus good beer comes cheap from Georgetown Brewing. Either go the brewery and get 6$ growlers or go to Luna Park Cafe and get them for 7$. That’s great beer for cheap and should hold you over.

    I also would like to convene w/ other recent layoffs. Feels good to know I am not alone.

  • kathy March 18, 2009 (4:44 pm)

    When I moved to Seattle 12 years ago, I joined a group called 40 Plus located in Bellevue at that time. It no longer exists in this area. Here’s the link: http://www.fortyplus.org. It’s a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those over 40 find management level jobs. I found it in “What Color is Your Parachute”. It was a life saver. One of the most helpful aspects – which could be formed here – was a support group. We met weekly, looked over each other’s resumes, shared contacts, encouraged each other. The best thing was that everyone committed to what they would do during the week in their job search (send # of resumes, contact # of people for informational interviews, etc). I definitely credit this help for finding my job.

  • kurto March 18, 2009 (5:27 pm)

    Great blog. Added it to my RSS feed folder.
    Loved the ‘House Pants’ analysis.

    Tomorrow is the big Bank protest day.
    That might be fun to do in our best House Pants. :-)

    Seattle, WA
    AIG – 520 Pike St., Suite 2700, Seattle, WA NOON

  • Marty March 18, 2009 (5:32 pm)

    Been out since mid-january.
    Hanging out at home, mostly. Cleaning, catching up on mailing lists, reading, sitting around feeling sorry for myself, more cleaning…

  • The Velvet Bulldog March 18, 2009 (5:39 pm)

    Laid off? Heck Yeah!!! What I could have used was some help with all the !@%#!&*! paperwork for unemployment and going back to school. Even now, I’m getting emails, “You still need to do Form 12B.6. OR ELSE.” Gawd…

    My library card is getting a lot more use. :-)

  • alison March 18, 2009 (6:10 pm)

    I just moved to West Seattle from the east coast, and I have not been able to find a job yet. Hopefully that will change in the next week, but my time has been spent around various coffee shops/bookstores with Wifi job searching like crazy.

  • MNGirl March 18, 2009 (6:54 pm)

    What a great blog. I too am a pink-slipper from a “major aerospace company in the Puget Sound area” – still trying to figure up what I want to be when I grow up. But I tell you, I do enjoy going shopping for necessities in the middle of the day – and sleeping late in the morning and …well, those are two good things. Hardest part is trying to find 3 jobs to apply for each week to keep the unemployment checks coming. With all the cutbacks, how do they think we can find jobs? Ah, well, this too shall pass. Now where are my Level 1 housepants??

  • pelicans March 18, 2009 (7:13 pm)

    There was just a segment on this very thing on King 5 tonight. Maybe they’ll show it again on Kong at 10 or channel 5 at 11pm. There is a group on people who meet on Wednesdays at a pub in Tacoma (I think?) to do just what kathy talks about. And they give each other encouragement. Combine the meeting with greg’s ideas for locations and West Seattle could have one, too. I’m lucky to be employed, but I have never forgotten the feeling of being without a job. Good luck to all.

  • WSB March 18, 2009 (7:14 pm)

    Which reminds me, folks who want to make contact with each other, in addition to e-mailing Keri, if you post in the WSB Forums, we do have a “private message” feature that you can use to send notes to other forum members that are not seen on the site – TR

  • HighPointDogWalker March 18, 2009 (7:52 pm)

    I got my walking papers December 31 from Microsoft, so nice to see you are doing something constructive instead of sitting in the house hibernating like i have been. i’d like to blame the crazy weather but … nah.

  • Jobs March 18, 2009 (8:01 pm)

    http://careers-bigfishgames.icims.com/jobs/search?ss=1&searchKeyword=&searchLocation=US-WA-Seattle&searchCategory=

    Big Fish Games is the best company to work for. (I’ve worked for many and absolutely love it) Tons of West Seattle people working there. Hiring for a variety of positions, very profitable company, growing in the down economy, the best co-workers, fun environment, game room, razor scooters, the list goes on and on.

  • KSJ March 18, 2009 (9:25 pm)

    Interesting, I have had two very well-qualified friends apply for jobs at Big Fish, and neither one of them so much as got a “thanks for applying.” They were really well-qualified for the positions, I’m not over-exaggerating. We have a strong suspicion that they aren’t really hiring, that they are using this as a P.R. ploy to gain momentum during this down economy. Hmmm?

  • WBB March 18, 2009 (9:42 pm)

    I am a couple months removed from employment myself. I find myself going to Uptown at the Junction a couple of times each week. It gives me a reaon to shave, brush my hair, put on real clothes, pack up the laptop and commute (even if it is only a few blocks down the street). Once there, I sit at my computer pretending to be doing something meaningful. Sometimes while surfing Ebay for guitars I cannot afford, I get a real serious, contemplative look on my face. Then I scratch my chin and silently nod my head. I figure this must make people think I’m doing something really important and stressful. Why, it’s almost like work! At least, as far as I can remember.

  • WBB March 18, 2009 (9:48 pm)

    Forgot to mention that the best deal on cheap beer can be found at Elliott Bay Brewery in Burien on Tuesday. Half price growlers. Not sure they’ll let you sit there and drink it once you’ve bought it, but it’s tasty beer at a yummy price.

  • What The March 18, 2009 (10:40 pm)

    Well, I can tell you that around noon tomorrow I will be in Arizona where I will be “hanging out”….I chose to completely change up my life in order to cope with the stress.

  • Kevin March 18, 2009 (10:47 pm)

    Hello everyone,
    .
    Add my name to the list, having joined the LOL club on January 13th – at least it was not Friday the 13th :)
    .
    I recently attended a job search group in another part of town. All folks with the same stories as here on WSB.
    .
    I think starting a job search group(s) in West Seattle would be a great idea! If nothing else, a great way to meet new friends.
    .
    There was a woman recently interviewed by a local TV station regarding looking for work, and her comment was “It may be 10% unemployment, but it is 90% EMPLOYMENT”
    .
    Looking for work is tough, but remember, you only have to find ONE job.
    .
    And for those of you looking for cheap beer, try Rite Aid. They always have 12 packs of beer on sale.

  • Keri March 18, 2009 (10:52 pm)

    WOW! Look at all the new friends close by! I am in complete shock and also very relieved to know I am not alone over here. And, it sounds like some of you might own house pants and might be willing to change out of your house pants, shower and perhaps meet up at a local pub for a pink-slip party? And, if you want to sport your house pants, that’s cool as long as they are LEVEL 5 (only pair approved for public consumption!)and you showered :)

    Ok – this lady of leisure is ON IT!

    Thanks all for your stories. I hope to create a little fun for us in W. Seattle and I will be posting some info on my site in the next week or two!

    Pink-slips UNITE!

  • transplantella March 19, 2009 (12:00 am)

    Fun in west Seattle?
    :~[
    Oxymoron.

  • Job March 19, 2009 (7:09 am)

    “They were really well-qualified for the positions, I’m not over-exaggerating. We have a strong suspicion that they aren’t really hiring, that they are using this as a P.R. ploy to gain momentum during this down economy. Hmmm?”

    I can say for fact we are hiring. I’m in the Engineering team and my team has open positions. Please understand they (HR/recruiting) are getting thousands of resumes. I’d suggest they check back with Big Fish and go after the job if they are qualified for it. We are hiring.

  • beachdrivegirl March 19, 2009 (11:34 am)

    Please feel free to PM me for job opportunities. I know my office is hiring in a few different areas. I could point you in the right direction.

  • Susan Grossman March 19, 2009 (12:40 pm)

    My suggestion is to join the Digital Eve discussion list (google Digital Eve Seattle). People in that group have started local job-hunting support groups and there’s one that meets in West Seattle.

  • CM March 19, 2009 (4:34 pm)

    OK, i’ll say it… she’s cute!

  • WTF March 19, 2009 (5:52 pm)

    36 days, 2 hours, 15 minutes and 17 seconds unemployed.
    But, who’s counting.

    One thing I will tell you, you MUST network.
    Talk to friends, family, co-workers, you’re old boss (even if you’re mad at him right now). Professionals go on LinkedIn and set up your profile; you will be amazed at how many people you are “six degrees of separation” from.

    On average, each of us knows 250 people in our network. Trust me, I was skeptical at first, but it has lead me to three job interviews, one offer, and another interview next week with very positive “vibes”.

    Maybe we could all meet at a Pink Slip Mixer at an supportive establishment willing to give group discounts on food and drinks. Eventually, we will be employed….and, no doubt remember those who helped us along the way.

    And, never forget to Pay it Forward. Good luck. You are NOT alone.

  • KSJ March 19, 2009 (7:05 pm)

    Job, thanks for confirming about Big Fish, we are too cynical sometimes. One of my friends found a job, but the other one should try again.

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