I am worried
My Toys R Us store is closing! I honestly saw the signs this was going to happen years ago but somehow found a way to unconsciously convince myself to ignore it. 8 years of work and in all that time my hours never got cut, we never stopped hiring and our store always looked like it was business as usual. Fear of change or maybe I just enjoyed the people I work with too much but that’s neither here nor there anymore because now we all have to leave. What happened!! I’m not wall street expert but is this a result of bad business management at the top of the company? Going back to the job sea hunt grind at 48 is scaring the hell out of me. From what I’ve heard it hasn’t gotten any easier. My oldest brother is a mechanical engineer. He lost his his job last summer and still hasn’t been able to find another job. Now, get see first hand what a loss of income has on a family, it’s destructive. I’m a single mother of 2 very active and demanding boys, 8 and 12. This household cannot survive more than 1 month without a steady income. We still have about 2 or 3 months of work to do at the store clearing out all the remaining merchandise and shipping displays but we have been led to believe that anyone of us can get released at any time. I appreciate the work but fear I could be missing out on jobs openings now. Summer job searching doesn’t make it any easier. Not sure what to do or where to start?
Join a temp job agency. Temp to hire. That way you don't stress out job hunting and you can try them outsee if they are a goodfit for you.
You got this be strong keep calm your depend on mom/Dad your both for them ok you still yung don't be scared no one said it would be easy in life start by looking in a new job something you would be happy and feel good doing don't be that person at the last moment trying to get a job at the last min.
When we went from the agriculture age to the industrial age, the same thing happened- we are all be trained in industrial age thinking: go to school to get a job, use credit to but cars abd houses. Maybe retire- but most people are working well into their 70s - because there are no more pension plans. We are entering a new age and jobs are being replaced by the internet and advancing technology. There is NO MORE SECURITY IN JOBS!!! What are you doing to secure your financial future??? It is possible to become financially free and get out of the system if you have the right mindset.
Information please
Being a single mother, I can relate. That corporation has been around forever and I was just as shocked hearing about it. If the company offered 401k, I pray everyone contributed. Unemployment would be drawn and lean on your state for for other benefits like food stamps, and medical.
I feel your pain and frustration. I am also a displaced worker. I am putting in applications and trying to figure out if I want (can) go back to school. Look into both, this might be an opportunity to try something new. Best of luck hun, you are not alone!!! Please keep us updated.
Preamble: Answer to Your First Question - "What Happened?"
- The answer to this query is that TRU ignored the impact of the internet on storefront businesses from the beginning. Put another way, hundreds of storefront locations to maintain, thousands of employees to pay, and steep prices on toys that were cheaper at Wal-Mart and far cheaper on the internet (where businesses have only to find a place to store merchandise, and few of the other overhead costs of storefront businesses) all combined to spell disaster for TRU. I would submit that this also affirms your second question; being blind to all these factors was clearly a massive failure of TRU upper management. But, with that negative commentary out of the way...
What to Do: There are Always Opportunities Lurking Somewhere
- The trick is finding them. For example:
You are the same age I was when I applied for (and was hired by) the US Postal Service two years ago. The US Government (including the Silly, er, Civil Service, but not including the military, for obvious reasons) doesn't age discriminate nearly on the scale of private employers. Search Google for "post office exams in [your city]". This is how I got started. Follow the links. Apply online, and if (or when) you get an email or call regarding when and where to report to take the exam, follow the instructions and go from there.
In fact, while you're at it, apply for as many state government and US government jobs as possible. I'm not sure how up to speed you are on the skills you possess, but trust me, you have them. Analyze what you did at TRU for those eight years, and start writing these things down in the form of skills. Lift heavy (over 25 lbs) items, catalog inventory, perform shipping and receiving, operate cash register, etc. When you fill out a government application, you'll understand why you did this. They want to know everything you can possibly do, as well as your level of expertise. Here's examples of government places that folks often apply at: Veteran's Administration (VA), state offices, state- and city-run universities, even civilian jobs at military bases. Look for the golden phrases "No experience necessary", "Willing to train", and "Unskilled OK". I once took a 'no previous experience' position as an SGML (standard generalized markup language) for three years in San Antonio coding old USAF tech manuals and turning them into digital documents. Made a pretty decent hourly wage, too, and full-time. Of course, it didn't last forever (what does?) but I came away with some nice skills to add to my repertoire.
Someone here already suggested it. Start an online business. eBay, Amazon, Etsy, whatever. One of my friends hits the garage sales and Goodwill stores for "finds", then re-sells them through his online store. Several others I know use a site called "BrickLink.com" to sell new and used LEGO sets and parts. I know a civil engineer in Houston who was laid off for the umpteenth time over ten years ago, starting selling used books, and never looked back. Still in business online...er, somewhere. Is it Amazon? eBay? Sorry, I digress.
Update your resume', or get one started and keep it current. I don't need to dive into the specifics of creating a sharp-looking resume'; a Google search will hook you up.
Consider returning to school or a trade school to pick up a new career (auto-tech, computer coding, truck driving, etc.) Quick tip: If you do this, strive to find something a) which truly interests you, not something that an associate casually mentioned, and b) that isn't on the A list for being replaced by a robot in the next 5 to 10 years.
Finally...take whatever comes along - at first. With two preteen boys and being the only breadwinner, I'm sure that you realize the gravity of your state of affairs. This doesn't mean that you should go into a depression-laden downward spiral; it simply means that you should maintain an open mind and be willing to accept paying jobs - however temporary - that keep food on the table and a roof overhead. While you're at that job, you can be comfortably seeking one that is more suitable to your career goals and preferences.
I didn't throw in the part about praying, because I believe that each person's faith is their own business. Besides, someone here will doubtless fulfill that role. Just don't give up, be willing to branch out, and keep your family close; they're your support group, and my parents discovered early on that children over the age of 6 make decent house servants :) .
All the best - Pat
We’re in the same boat... we just have to be positive and keep looking
Well for one thing you are helping them clean that store out are going to help you get work I know that you need the money to help you but are they going to help you find work did you ask that well here is a tip go on line and apply at indeed for a job now don't keep on waiting cause that's not good go now before you have no money to help you find a job good luck .
Sign up with recruiter! You will still deal with age discrimination if u look your age. Try your best to sound energetic also. Age discrimination is rampant. I have a friend in Alaska that lost their job there also. Real estate sales is a good option but u may have to wait more than a month for pay. Uber is a great side gig and sad to pizza delivery at night is good money till u find your day job. Check out making money online .