Where do you live? Arlington, Virginia
What job did you most recently hold? Construction Project Manager for a local Real Estate Development firm.
How old are/were your coworkers? I was on the younger end for the company as a whole but in my department I was the youngest; in the company I think there were a few younger but the rest early-mid 40's.
How did you find out you were losing your job? President of Operations came in my office told me the company had lost a contract and some people were going to lose their jobs. Turns out I was one of them.
Did you have to leave immediately, or did they give you a few weeks to get used to the idea? I was given 2 weeks before my last day; many others (total of 22 laid off) had a month or 6 weeks. Package was generous.
Tell us a little about what you did? The company I worked for owned or managed various commercial properties in the DC Metro area. I had 10 properties that I was the lead Construction Manager. If a suite needed renovation for an existing tenant, future tenant or to make marketable I managed the project. My responsibilities included all steps of the construction process.. design, budgeting, contracting with architects and engineers to prepare drawings, obtaining permits, distribute and analyzing competitive General Contractor bids, manage tenant and property managers expectations, oversee construction, process invoices, punch list and project close out. I managed 4-10 projects at a time at different stages of the process.
What was your favorite part of the job? Working with the different tenants, small businesses and large corporations. It varied and since in most cases construction was new to them and I was there to guide them through the process and deliver a new office/ retail space.
What was the worst part? Management at the company did not include the staff in anything. After the lay off most functional companies would have a complete staff meeting to calm fears and boost moral. This company acted as if it was a privilege to work for them and there was no need for downward communication. Not to mention one of the owners often yelled and was verbally abusive in meetings.
Despite that, did you like going to work every day? Yes, I started with this company 4 years ago because I wanted to work; I did not necessarily need to work but I wanted to be productive and I like construction. For the first three years every day was great the last 12-18 months was work.
Did you feel like you were making a difference? Yes, I was the go to person for much of the staff I supported, brokers, property managers and even my direct boss. I helped small businesses negotiate the construction process that other Construction Managers do not take the time to do.
What have you done since you've been laid off? Nothing!!! Went to the beach with kids for a few days but nothing useful.
How do you spend your days? On the internet? Job searching? Hanging out? Drinking coffee? Since camp was all paid for before I was laid off the kids are still going to camp full-time. I wake around 8am to get kids ready for camp. Husband takes the kids around 8:30am, Read the paper and eat breakfast, Check e-mail, maybe look at job stuff, Walk the dog for an hour, Do an exercise program on demand, shower, spend 2 hours on the internet mostly looking for jobs but I wander, run errands, walk dog, kids get dropped off at 4:30pm, give snacks and entertain, get dinner ready, eat, put them to bed and hang out with the husband for an hour and go to bed by 11pm.
Have your spending habits changed since you've been laid off? (Have you given up coffee?) Depends who you ask. I think I have but my husband may disagree. I now do all the food shopping and kid stuff but I have really tried to cut back on the side stuff.
Do you have big financial worries -- kids in college, etc. Not until Oct or Nov
Do you have a spouse who works? Yes, he is a reporter for a local radio station (good money but not enough to cover it all)
How many jobs have you applied for since you've been laid off? Two to Three a week -- thank you unemployment insurance
Are they in the same part of the country or a different part? All local
What kind of job are you looking for next? Will it be in the same field or a different one? Why? I have no idea. I have been applying for Construction Project Management positions but I am not sure I still have my heart in it... Management at my previous company was soul crushing at last job not sure I want to try that again.
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