Mo's Manic Monday - Light

Posted: Monday, December 08, 2008 by Travis Cody in
44



Welcome to another Manic Monday with Morgen. Don't forget to cruise by MM HQ at the Manic Monday blog. Today's theme is Light (or Lights).

So I mentioned last week how busy and hectic life has become. And I suggested that I would tell the story at some point. Today would be the day for the story.

This past June, my company announced a restructuring. The parent company would be integrating administrative, accounting, and payroll, which meant that those functions would be phased out of our office and the jobs would be eliminated.

Additionally, the parent company wanted to absorb operations and inventory management. And that meant my job would also be eliminated. Bummer.

The short term good news for me was that I was asked to stay for a period of time to assist with the integration. Essentially I was asked if I would stick around and make it easier for the parent to take my job away. I wanted the company to succeed so I said I would help. My last day would have been 31 Dec.



I say it would have been 31 Dec if the parent company hadn't suffered a significant financial setback in October. They unexpectedly told us on 10 Nov that they were ceasing all operations of our company effective immediately. Lights out! They closed the doors at 2pm on that day, and 25 people became statistics.

That's the bad news.

The good news is that the light at the end of my tunnel was only 24 hours away. Since I knew I had been part of my company's history since June, I had been networking and updating my resume for some time. I had employment searches going and oddly enough, even in this economy, I was getting hits. And finally I found a really good opportunity at a company in Seattle. The position is Operations Analyst and it fits my experience and qualifications perfectly.



I had a fantastic interview on 11 Nov, received an offer on 14 Nov and accepted it, and then started my new job on 1 Dec. I got a 25% increase over what I was making before, plus stock options and outstanding benefits.

YAY me!

I made the Manic Monday Light banner. The photo is the view from my cubicle in the new office. Not bad, eh?

44 comments:

  1. How cool is that!!! Good for you, Travis!

    Beautiful view. Sounds like things worked out better on every level.

  1. That's great news. It proves it isn't all doom and gloom in a Recession.

  1. TopChamp says:

    yey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so pleased - that must have been difficult - uncertainty etc. Congratulations on the new job.

  1. Schmoop says:

    Fantastic Travis. Great news. Enjoy the new job. Cheers!!

  1. Anonymous says:

    Awesome Travis... Simply awesome! So how was your first week?

    Just goes to show you that when God closes a door, there's always a window!

    YAY Travis!
    (so whatcha gonna do with that 25%?)

  1. Yowsah, Trav! Talk about landing on your feet! That's awesome, and your view is beautiful.

    So, now that you've gotten a raise, you and Pam can come down here and visit, right? *wink*

  1. Congratulations! How wonderful for you, especially in today's economy!

  1. Anonymous says:

    It's a scary time for lots of folks. I am glad it worked out for you, Trav.
    Happy Manic Monday ~ My Lights

  1. Anonymous says:

    When one door closes...

    Glad to hear things worked out for you!

  1. Polly says:

    Wow...nice office view. It seems that this was a great example of "when one door closes, another opens." Congrats on the new job. The picture is beautiful!

  1. Anndi says:

    Good things happen to those who work hard for them.

  1. And who in their right mind wouldn't want to hire you? They are the lucky ones.

    Congrats!! You so deserve it.

  1. Akelamalu says:

    Oh what great news Trav!

    When when door closes another one opens - a saying that usually happens in my experience. I'm so pleased for you m'dear. :)

  1. Jeni says:

    From a lights out to lights back on, bigger and brighter too, can't beat that, can you? Great post Trav and congrats too on the new job, better wages, bennies and everything!

  1. It is so neat when really good things happen to really good people.

    Enjoy the new job.

  1. SWEET! Great nwes! Love that view, too!

  1. They say make lemonaid out of the lemons you're given. Sounds like you made gold. I'm so glad the new position fits you so well.

    best of luck.

  1. Ivanhoe says:

    OMG! Trav, I'm sooo happy for you :o) You are one lucky guy and I wish you all the best at your new j.o.b. :o)
    And the view is not half bad ;o)

  1. I guess the timing turned out to be brilliant. What a great result, Travis.

  1. Gene Bach says:

    Way to go Trav! Something good out of something bad.

  1. Julie says:

    Wonderful...simply wonderful! I'm so glad you finally shared so all could share in your happiness!

    Couldn't have happened to a sweeter fella.

  1. Terra: Indeed.

    Clancy: Couldn't have worked out better if it had been scripted.

    Anthony: It doesn't have to be, if you are able to be prepared.

    TC: It was a bit shaky, but not as bad as it could have been.

    Matt: Thank you Sir.

    Lois: First week was terrific!

    Songbird: HA! We're banking the extra $$ for home improvements!

    Lana: I slid into a growth industry too...even in this economy the business is positioned to do well.

    CWM: Yup yup.

    My Autism Insights: Thanks!

    Polly: There are no guarantees on any of it unless you're prepared to jump on the opportunity.

  1. Ann: Exactly. I've done the work to be prepared with my skill set and my contacts, so even though I couldn't know my company was going to close, I could be ready for any opportunity.

    Mimi: You're right! **wink**

    Akelamalu: That really hasn't been my experience. One has to do the work to be prepared, and one must learn to view setbacks as opportunities.

    Jeni: It's going pretty well for me at the moment.

    Jamie: I shall.

    RLL: The view is a definite plus!

    Charles: Well, it's at least a semi precious stone. Thanks!

    Ivanhoe: The restaurants near the office are pretty dang good too!

    David: Indeed it was.

    Gene: Yeppers!

    Julie: Thank you my dear!

  1. Rick says:

    Now that, Travis, is an inspiring story!

  1. DrillerAA says:

    Yes sir, someone is always busy. It just takes a little perseverance to find the right position. Congratulations my friend. May the rest of your holiday season be blessed with friends, family, and now worries about job security!

  1. Linda says:

    Not bad? Not bad? That view is fantastic and so is this news!

    I am so glad to hear that not only did you land on your feet but you landed on them in a very good spot! Congratulations and a definite YAY to you!!

  1. Cherie says:

    Congratulations! That's great! :)

  1. Lee says:

    Congratulations! It's so nice to hear a success story in the midst of all this bad economy news. May you continue to thrive!

    Congratulations on making David's list too.

    Peace!

  1. Kanani says:

    That's an incredible story! In these times, equal or better jobs are hard to come by. Sounds like you were the right person at the right time!

  1. Cheesy says:

    ^5 baby boy!

    I hope my middle kiddo has the same luck as you my friend.. he is in the same boat....

  1. I'm here from David's POTD. I like stories with a happy ending; there are not too many around these days. Congratulations on being prepared to land on your feet.

  1. Good job, I mean really...well done!
    Congrats on the post of the day mention at David's!
    Sandi

  1. The story began sucky...but ended up Wonderful.

    I am so glad I got to enjoy that roller coaster with you Travis...and as we have mentioned - Nancy and I are so so Happy for you (and Pam)

  1. Raven says:

    Wow! So glad you got a new job... I lived in Seattle briefly in the late 1970s and loved it there.

    Beautiful photo too.

  1. Louise says:

    Hurray for you! What a blessing! Someone is watching out for you.

    Over from Authorblog.

  1. Anonymous says:

    How excellent for you!!!

    I found you by way of David's blog, you have a new reader :)

  1. Rick: It's all in the preparation!

    Drilleraa: And I wish the same to you and your family.

    Linda: I got to see a nice sunrise from the other side of the building this morning. Not as great as that sunset, but pretty dang special nonetheless.

    Cherie: Thank you Ma'am!

    Lee: I made David's list??? WOW! I haven't been by his place in the last couple of days. Guess I better check it out.

    Kanani: I hit it on the first try too, and that just doesn't happen to me very often.

    Cheesy: I wish him the best. An achievement-based resume is a good way to begin.

    Pat: Welcome and many thanks!

    Sandi: Lots of new faces today! Welcome!

    V: I appreciate the support from both of you.

    Raven: I love it here.

    Louise: Welcome! I like to think I'm looking out for myself.

    Epijunky: Welcome! I look forward to checking out your place soon!

  1. j says:

    I am wanting to read and comment but someone is on the phone gabbing in my ear and I just can't.

    I'll be back.

  1. Unknown says:

    Yay - light at the end of the tunnel! I'm glad for you!

  1. Jeff B says:

    Sometimes even when things seem to be heading the wrong direction, they turn out for the best. Congrats

  1. Yea Travis! I'm so glad for you! They know a good guy when they see one! Congratulations and all the best! :)

  1. Jennifer: Did you enjoy your gabfest? LOL!

    Dana: And it's been a great week and a half so far!

    Jeff: Yup yup!

    Mary: Thank you my dear!

  1. just catching up and saw your name at davids...congrats on the great new gig...best of luck.