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Laid off, local man says he's staying positive
For more than five years, Richard Bishop worked as a computer-aided design engineer in Cary. He was laid off in December.
Posted — UpdatedRALEIGH, N.C. — So far, for Richard Bishop, the type of job he lost – the job he was good at – is hard to find.
For more than five years, Bishop worked as a computer-aided design engineer for Qimonda in Cary. He was one of 190 employees laid off in late December.
He says few computer companies are hiring, and he's not willing to settle for just any job.
What is helping him cope, he says, is his family, friends and faith.
"It's been six months, but I've got peace and my lord and savior, Jesus Christ, honestly," he said.
What also helps, he says, is staying busy.
Once a week, he volunteers at a computer refurbishing company in Raleigh. Bishop also networks at a weekly job seekers program at a local church.
"What else are you going to do?" Bishop said. "You can sit home and cry and get all demotivated, or you can get out and do something about it."
Bishop had two interviews that did not pan out. He says most computer companies are not hiring and that the competition is stiff for the ones that are.
"The marketplace is unlike anything I've ever seen," said Larry Lytle, a facilitator with the career-counseling firm The Avadon Group.
He says highly skilled, specialized workers need to think outside the box.
"All the jobs you're losing aren't coming back," Lytle said. "So, that means you're going to have to be adaptable. You're going to have to transfer your skills somewhere."
Bishop says he's open to a new career but that he's not quite ready to take a part-time job. He's devoting time to his job search, his volunteer work and his family.
"I'm not starving right now, thankfully," he said. "So it's just a matter of time, and hopefully things work out well."
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