From the news this week.
Boeing may cut up to 10,000 jobs.
Kodak may restructure and shed more jobs soon.
In spite of some emergency money, GM cut more jobs this week.
IBM cut 2800 jobs this week.
SAP plans 3000 job cuts.
Target plans on laying off 600.
Caterpillar 20,000 jobs gone.
Pfizer, 8000 jobs.
Sprint Nextel 8000 jobs.
Home Depot - 7000 jobs.
Texas Instruments - 3400.
That was this week. We now have the highest unemployment since 1981. And there is no end in sight.
I have worked in sales, marketing, operations, IT, hospitality and about a half dozen other fields of work in my adult life.
I can't imagine what it must be like to lose a manufacturing job, because I have never worked in that field. But a layoff is the same in any company.
I am no Sally Sunshine, but I had to change jobs a few months ago right in the thick of this mess. It took me about 45 days to find my next job.
I updated my resume, made phone calls, did the phone interview, took one plane trip to interview for the "Hell Job" which I did not take. I ended up working with a company I had known for about some years and everything worked out in the end.
A few warnings; I took a pay cut. My job title is not as glamorous as my last one. I have to work more and learn about a new industry I know nothing about. But I adapted.
However, my new job came about because I used my network of friends, former co-workers, customers, professional and industry contacts.
As usual, some were very supportive. Others were supportive, but offered very little other than well wishes. Some ignored me, which is what happens.
Here is some nickel advice.
- Get to work. Take any part time or free lance job you can get as soon as possible. Deliver pizzas, shovel snow, stock shelves.
Anything which will get your mind off what has happened at the past job and what your plan is going forward. Don't stew about "getting back at your boss" or "they might call me back". Face reality and find something to do which focuses your mind on positive activity.
Work is the stone which sharpens the mind of the job seeker.
- Don't spend that severance check.
Put it in the bank. Get caught up on bills. Make minimums on credit cards if there is too large a balance to pay off. Keep the mortgage current.
Except for a suit, haircut and printers fees for your resume, don't spend a dime on "training, coaching" or any other scam. Get a job first, then go back to school on the job's dime.
- Start calling friends, neighbors, family, anyone and let them know you are looking for a new job. Don't worry about what they will think, just do it. Embarrassment doesn't pay very well.
- Yes, you can do the Linked In thing, but be aware so is everyone else and sitting in front of the computer making connections is not work despite the mistaken belief.
Same goes for Facebook and all the other social networks. You will feel compelled to sit in front of the computer searching for old friends with some vague idea that a winning job lottery ticket will appear. Ain't gonna happen..
- Don't give up. Look for jobs outside of your area of expertise. Look for jobs in other parts of the country. Don't give up. I cannot stress that enough.
Remember, everyone who lost their job in the Great Depression and who persevered ended up working again. It may have taken time, they may have had to change jobs three or four times, but they worked again.
You will too.
Showing posts with label layoffs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label layoffs. Show all posts
Wednesday
Marketing Me: Layoffs
Yep, I have not published diddly in some time. A bunch of reasons why..
First, my job that I started in 2005 was going great. I was doing very well and when things are going well, you tend to forget about HOW you got there in the first place.
Second, that great job ended just a few months ago. For 48 days, I searched for a new job. That took most of my time naturally.
Finally, my new job was found within my network which was good. But it did not change what was going on in my world.
Layoffs are everywhere in every industry.
See here, here, here and here.
That's right. Publishing, airlines, shipping, retail.. the list goes on and on.
Further, I have been speaking with a number of friends and parents whose children attend school with mine. Everyone fits into this category:
a) Suddenly changed job this year after a layoff, threat of layoff or problem with the old companies' revenues.
b) Looking actively for a new job because the old one will probably go away in the next year.
c) Has had to severely cut back because of a downturn at work. Yes, they are hanging on, but big changes in lifestyle are coming over the next 12 months.
Marketing Me has never been more important then ever before. I have much more to share and do with the changing economy and I hope I can help you.
First, my job that I started in 2005 was going great. I was doing very well and when things are going well, you tend to forget about HOW you got there in the first place.
Second, that great job ended just a few months ago. For 48 days, I searched for a new job. That took most of my time naturally.
Finally, my new job was found within my network which was good. But it did not change what was going on in my world.
Layoffs are everywhere in every industry.
See here, here, here and here.
That's right. Publishing, airlines, shipping, retail.. the list goes on and on.
Further, I have been speaking with a number of friends and parents whose children attend school with mine. Everyone fits into this category:
a) Suddenly changed job this year after a layoff, threat of layoff or problem with the old companies' revenues.
b) Looking actively for a new job because the old one will probably go away in the next year.
c) Has had to severely cut back because of a downturn at work. Yes, they are hanging on, but big changes in lifestyle are coming over the next 12 months.
Marketing Me has never been more important then ever before. I have much more to share and do with the changing economy and I hope I can help you.
Marketing Me! AOL Job Cuts
You probably have heard the news already about American Online cutting jobs - 20% of total headcount last report.
Over in LinkedIn Answers (my new favorite time waster), I posted the following regarding the layoffs:
Having been through layoffs before at other companies I only have one remark - it happens. No business is immune to them anymore.
Because of the service AOL offered (sending HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of expensive unsolicited media disks to unsuspecting mail addresses?), offering dial up Internet access, the writing was on the wall. Eventually other services would eclipse AOL and surpass any product they could ever offer.
I witnessed this in 1994 when early Internet service providers were debuting in the U.S.
AOL was labeled a substandard alternative to "real" Internet access.
Thus businesses and the burgeoning IT culture they created, would never consider AOL anything more than beginner's online access and a service for lonely hearts and seniors.
Internet access would evolve into a commodity and then, a utility.
With utilities, brand no longer matters. There is only the Internet and the need for an IP interface to access it.
Finally, with ubiquitous broadband and endless WiFi networks, AOL seemed to be as relevant as phone cords and packaged software.
I don't think there is a magic bullet which could have saved AOL. It had its time and place and now will reside in the pantheon of companies which once existed in the US landscape.
Enjoy the memories, but refocus on finding the future AOL in your life.
In an unrelated forum, I read that many AOL employees were being given four month severance packages. This is very generous and comes at a good time for obtaining a job. Had these cuts been in December, hiring and interviews would have been few and far between.
I also hope that many AOL'ers took advantage of the potentially huge network of contacts available after having worked at AOL. This alone is the best asset any of them have when determining their career future.
Layoffs stink. I have been through my share of them. However, layoffs are also an opportunity. Leaving a company which is in the midst of a major late-life identity crisis could be the best thing to happen to any person. It opens the doors to a thousand different possibilities all which are better than the last.
One last time "You have mail". Done.
Happy hunting,
Over in LinkedIn Answers (my new favorite time waster), I posted the following regarding the layoffs:
Having been through layoffs before at other companies I only have one remark - it happens. No business is immune to them anymore.
Because of the service AOL offered (sending HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of expensive unsolicited media disks to unsuspecting mail addresses?), offering dial up Internet access, the writing was on the wall. Eventually other services would eclipse AOL and surpass any product they could ever offer.
I witnessed this in 1994 when early Internet service providers were debuting in the U.S.
AOL was labeled a substandard alternative to "real" Internet access.
Thus businesses and the burgeoning IT culture they created, would never consider AOL anything more than beginner's online access and a service for lonely hearts and seniors.
Internet access would evolve into a commodity and then, a utility.
With utilities, brand no longer matters. There is only the Internet and the need for an IP interface to access it.
Finally, with ubiquitous broadband and endless WiFi networks, AOL seemed to be as relevant as phone cords and packaged software.
I don't think there is a magic bullet which could have saved AOL. It had its time and place and now will reside in the pantheon of companies which once existed in the US landscape.
Enjoy the memories, but refocus on finding the future AOL in your life.
In an unrelated forum, I read that many AOL employees were being given four month severance packages. This is very generous and comes at a good time for obtaining a job. Had these cuts been in December, hiring and interviews would have been few and far between.
I also hope that many AOL'ers took advantage of the potentially huge network of contacts available after having worked at AOL. This alone is the best asset any of them have when determining their career future.
Layoffs stink. I have been through my share of them. However, layoffs are also an opportunity. Leaving a company which is in the midst of a major late-life identity crisis could be the best thing to happen to any person. It opens the doors to a thousand different possibilities all which are better than the last.
One last time "You have mail". Done.
Happy hunting,
Thursday
Marketing Me! What to do if you have been laid off
Allegedly, this list came from the newspaper Washington Post, but I cannot find a record of it on their site. This was forwarded to be by The Career News, a newsletter I subscribe to.
I found this list a bit old fashioned and out of touch with modern reality.
Ask about severance pay. But don't bank on it. There is no federal law requiring an employer to let you take your half-empty notebooks with you, much less a couple weeks worth of pay.
My comments: Sure ask, it cannot hurt. Regarding notebooks and such, keep copies with you before the layoff happens.
Apply for unemployment benefits. This seems obvious, but young white-collar workers sometimes forget that such benefits apply to them.
My comments: I agree. Too many of us think unemployment is welfare. It is not. It is a system you and your employer have paid into. BUT - collecting benefits is a pain in the butt. The "gubermint" should make this an easier and online process.
Pare back discretionary spending, immediately. You want your savings to tide you over until you find the right job. Otherwise, you may have to take something awful just to stay afloat. It's rarely a good idea to let your bank balance completely drive major career decisions.
My comments: Common sense here. Also consider another form or two of income in the meantime. Working part time, contract work or consulting will help pay the bills and not be construed as replacement work.
Take a little time off. You may need a day or two to recalibrate, especially if the announcement came as a complete surprise. But don't let this drag on.
My comments: Wrong. Hit the ground running as soon as you are out the door at your old job. The early bird gets the worm. ALSO.. you should have had your network in place before this happened to cushion the blow. If not, get working on it now!
Perk up your resume. You will be handing it out plenty in the next few weeks or months, so take the time to make it perfect. If you need help, seek out a professional resume writer.
My comments: Wrong again! Don't spam the world with your resume. Bring it up to date but keep it ONLY for interviews and for select distribution. You know my opinion on professional resume writers. Better save your money and check out free online resources if you need help or guidance.
Distribute your resume. Once your resume is ready make sure you distribute it widely to job sites, personal contacts, employers and recruiters.
My comments: Why not make a thousand copies and throw them off the nearest office building onto a busy downtown intersection? Resume spam is no guarantee of a new job much less an interview.
Turn to your friends. Make sure you have a way to contact former co-workers and supervisors. You will need references, and a mass layoff can scatter your contacts to the wind.
My comments: This is called a network. You should have one in place now. Get busy before this situation occurs.
Don't burn any bridges. It's understandable that you will feel frustrated, even angry, but channel that anger in ways that won't damage your reputation with your former colleagues.
My comments: Rather, have a new position lined up and show these people what a mistake they made later.
Good luck!
I found this list a bit old fashioned and out of touch with modern reality.
Ask about severance pay. But don't bank on it. There is no federal law requiring an employer to let you take your half-empty notebooks with you, much less a couple weeks worth of pay.
My comments: Sure ask, it cannot hurt. Regarding notebooks and such, keep copies with you before the layoff happens.
Apply for unemployment benefits. This seems obvious, but young white-collar workers sometimes forget that such benefits apply to them.
My comments: I agree. Too many of us think unemployment is welfare. It is not. It is a system you and your employer have paid into. BUT - collecting benefits is a pain in the butt. The "gubermint" should make this an easier and online process.
Pare back discretionary spending, immediately. You want your savings to tide you over until you find the right job. Otherwise, you may have to take something awful just to stay afloat. It's rarely a good idea to let your bank balance completely drive major career decisions.
My comments: Common sense here. Also consider another form or two of income in the meantime. Working part time, contract work or consulting will help pay the bills and not be construed as replacement work.
Take a little time off. You may need a day or two to recalibrate, especially if the announcement came as a complete surprise. But don't let this drag on.
My comments: Wrong. Hit the ground running as soon as you are out the door at your old job. The early bird gets the worm. ALSO.. you should have had your network in place before this happened to cushion the blow. If not, get working on it now!
Perk up your resume. You will be handing it out plenty in the next few weeks or months, so take the time to make it perfect. If you need help, seek out a professional resume writer.
My comments: Wrong again! Don't spam the world with your resume. Bring it up to date but keep it ONLY for interviews and for select distribution. You know my opinion on professional resume writers. Better save your money and check out free online resources if you need help or guidance.
Distribute your resume. Once your resume is ready make sure you distribute it widely to job sites, personal contacts, employers and recruiters.
My comments: Why not make a thousand copies and throw them off the nearest office building onto a busy downtown intersection? Resume spam is no guarantee of a new job much less an interview.
Turn to your friends. Make sure you have a way to contact former co-workers and supervisors. You will need references, and a mass layoff can scatter your contacts to the wind.
My comments: This is called a network. You should have one in place now. Get busy before this situation occurs.
Don't burn any bridges. It's understandable that you will feel frustrated, even angry, but channel that anger in ways that won't damage your reputation with your former colleagues.
My comments: Rather, have a new position lined up and show these people what a mistake they made later.
Good luck!
Friday
Marketing Me! Layoff anouncements
Checked Google News for layoff information around the U.S. Here is what I found..
Micron announces a "headcount reduction".
The City of Tampa Bay eliminated a number of city jobs.
VOIP provider Sunrocket is allegedly planning a round of layoffs.
Banking and credit card company Capital One has announced 2000 layoffs this week.
And The San Jose Mercury News has a number of layoffs planned for employees.
Okay, so we have an established high tech company, a city, a start up, a financial company and a media outlet all announcing layoffs.
What is the point?
There are no safe jobs. I hear from job seekers frequently asking about industries with "safe and secure jobs" and "job security".
Answer: there are none. There are no "safe" jobs. Not anymore. And you know the reason why. Don't ask for "safe" jobs anymore because either they do not exist (as proven above) or they aren't worth the time to do.
Solution: Stop wanting work to be safe and start thinking about what your want to do. The golf pro who teaches part time at the municipal range is doing what he wants and is living his dream. There are no guarantees that he will have enough students willing to pay 60.00 an hour to improve their swing, but if he gets just enough, he will be making money just helping someone play golf - a game he loves anyway!
Think about what makes you happy and if there is a way you can make a living doing it. Once you get there, the real security begins as you start living your dream doing what you want.
Have a great weekend,
Micron announces a "headcount reduction".
The City of Tampa Bay eliminated a number of city jobs.
VOIP provider Sunrocket is allegedly planning a round of layoffs.
Banking and credit card company Capital One has announced 2000 layoffs this week.
And The San Jose Mercury News has a number of layoffs planned for employees.
Okay, so we have an established high tech company, a city, a start up, a financial company and a media outlet all announcing layoffs.
What is the point?
There are no safe jobs. I hear from job seekers frequently asking about industries with "safe and secure jobs" and "job security".
Answer: there are none. There are no "safe" jobs. Not anymore. And you know the reason why. Don't ask for "safe" jobs anymore because either they do not exist (as proven above) or they aren't worth the time to do.
Solution: Stop wanting work to be safe and start thinking about what your want to do. The golf pro who teaches part time at the municipal range is doing what he wants and is living his dream. There are no guarantees that he will have enough students willing to pay 60.00 an hour to improve their swing, but if he gets just enough, he will be making money just helping someone play golf - a game he loves anyway!
Think about what makes you happy and if there is a way you can make a living doing it. Once you get there, the real security begins as you start living your dream doing what you want.
Have a great weekend,
Monday
Sheepwalking
Seth Godin calls them "sheepwalkers" - "the outcome of hiring people who have been raised to be obedient and giving them a braindead job and enough fear to keep them in line" - Seth Godin.
Some time ago, I described these people as Corps
To best experience this malady check out any mega-large corporation or government agency. There are no exceptions.
But I disagree with Seth that "fear" is necessary to "keep them in line".
There are plenty of applicants for this type of work. They place "security" over challenging. Freedom scares them. Sheepwalkers/Corps prefer training over thinking.
Why? It could be that fear of the unknown drives Sheeple/Corps into the cocoon of mediocrity.
Sometime layoffs and economic downturns are the cause. I have a friend who worked for the TSA primarily because he was laid off from his high flying dot-com job. (He now is safely back in the private sector making waves again as he was born to do).
Many times, Sheeple/Corps follow the safe path because they have been taught to. You can't blame people for wanting to do what they know.
Remember, Sheeple have to worry about wolves and Corps worry whether or not they will wake up tomorrow.
Become a Disruptor instead.
Some time ago, I described these people as Corps
To best experience this malady check out any mega-large corporation or government agency. There are no exceptions.
But I disagree with Seth that "fear" is necessary to "keep them in line".
There are plenty of applicants for this type of work. They place "security" over challenging. Freedom scares them. Sheepwalkers/Corps prefer training over thinking.
Why? It could be that fear of the unknown drives Sheeple/Corps into the cocoon of mediocrity.
Sometime layoffs and economic downturns are the cause. I have a friend who worked for the TSA primarily because he was laid off from his high flying dot-com job. (He now is safely back in the private sector making waves again as he was born to do).
Many times, Sheeple/Corps follow the safe path because they have been taught to. You can't blame people for wanting to do what they know.
Remember, Sheeple have to worry about wolves and Corps worry whether or not they will wake up tomorrow.
Become a Disruptor instead.
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