Conversation:
Helen : Hi, Mary. It's good to see you. How have you been?
Mary: It's good to see you, too. I have just got a new job.
Helen : Oh! You were so happy about your job. You've worked there so long. How come?
Mary: Yes, I have. But my company is now outsourcing the jobs to China and India. So, I was laid off.
Helen : My Goodness! You have worked there so long? How many years was it?
Mary: I've worked for them fifteen years. They gave me one-year severance pay and a three-month notice.
Helen: Good Heavens!. How did you cope with that? I imagine it must have been very hard on you. Besides, you have two children.
Mary: I was devastated. It took me several months to pull myself together. Thank God. My husband works for government. There is no such a thing as outsourcing jobs in government. I've kept busy with my children for the first three months. Then, I started my job hunting.
Helen: Do you have a job now?
Mary: Yes, I have got a new job. It took me three months to get a new job. Now, I have got a new job since last month. I work as an office manager and earn much less in this job.
Helen : But, at least you have something. I hear a lot about job outsourcing of U.S. companies, it worries me a lot.
Mary: Yeah. It is a current trend in the U.S. economy. We'll talk more later. I have to go now. Here's my telephone number. Helen: Here is mine, too. Call me sometime next week.
Mary: Ok. I'll do that. Happy Holidays to you and your family. See you again, Helen.
Helen : The same to you and your family, too. See you soon, Mary.