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I got laid off today.  I'm putting off, until tomorrow, working on my resume and starting my job search.

The layoff wasn't a complete surprise.  The company hadn't been doing that well, and it was becoming clear that a layoff would happen.  I was a little surprised that it happened this quickly; I'd expected something after the first of the year.

Thanks to what I've learned here about building my network and interviewing, I feel much better prepared for this than I otherwise would have.

So.. if anyone in Southwestern PA is looking for a seasoned software professional, please keep me in mind.

 

pmoriarty's picture
Training Badge

Surprised or not, it still stinks.  Sorry to hear of your layoff.  Let me know if I can help you.

ken_wills's picture

Sorry to hear about it.  If you don't mind a couple of suggestions based on my recent experience:

* Take the time to wallow in how much it sucks - just so you can put that part of it behind you and get to work.  Don't pretend it doesn't hurt; it does. And though the bitterness may linger for a while, get ahead of it by really letting yourself feel it (for a few days).  IT    DOES  SUCK.

* When you say "I got laid off" you're making it about YOU and not about the job. "My company eliminated XXX positions, one of which was mine."  Unless Greg, they fired you for cause (and I can't believe that given your years of contributions on these forums) then it's about the job, and not about you.  How you choose to characterize it is really important.

* A year or so ago on a podcast, Jack Welch said of the financial services people who were laid off: "They can't expect just to find their old job at a new company."  I found this to be incredibly insightful - I realized I had spent 8 or 9 months trying to find my old job at a new marketing agency - even though the entire industry was facing contractions...I solved the problem by going "back" a few jobs in my history, and the results were like flipping a switch.  Within a week of refocusing my job search, I was connected to the guy who eventually hired me.

* You know the saying "Looking for work is now your full-time job"?  That's true - but only for a certain amount of time.  My experience tells me that if you're laid off (sorry - "in transition") for more than a few months, you'll start making the task fill the time you have available for it.  Sorry if that's not the most elegant way to say it.  Here's an example: search for jobs online is part of the deal - but it can be a time-sink.  As my layoff period went on, I spent more an more hours online doing jobs searches (even though it's not the most productive way to spend time).  Solution: once unemployment ran out, I got a part-time job working afternoons and evenings.  It brought in a little money; it left my daytime free for interviews.  But most important, it helped organize my day, give me some structure, and feel productive,

 

Sorry - this is probably a lot more than you were looking for at this early stage. I guess I should be telling you to get to work on your resume and networking.

 

Feel free to PM me.

 

Best wishes.

akinsgre's picture

Thanks Ken,

That's great advice.

I'm wallowing a bit now.  Or at least not focusing on the job search as urgently as I will next week.  I've decided to wait until Wendii does my resume review before I start sending it around, so the only people I've talked to about my "transition" are good friends who will really help me with my job search.

Also, I've scheduled my day much like I'm working.  I put in some time for research and blogging and I'm going to get involved in some open source projects to augment the technical side of my resume.

Mark's picture
Admin Role Badge

Sorry to hear it.  It's always hard, and nowadays harder.  Hopefully you had planned ahead.

Stay positive.  Build a schedule.  Put physical fitness on your schedule.

Reach out to friends, even old, old, old friends and family.  Let them know, and stay in touch.

Please do forward me a copy of your resume, and I'll hope the example encourages others to ask as well.

Mark

akinsgre's picture

Thanks so much Mark.  I'll PM you with my resume.

Last week was better in keeping a schedule.  The kids are home for a couple days this week, which makes it tough :-) 

I haven't found anything yet, but am reaping the benefits of the networking that I started thanks to Manager Tools advice.  I've already gotten my resume in front of many more people than I expected as a result.

I had begun saving to be better prepared.  Unfortunately this came before I could save up enough to be safe for more than a couple months.  I can survive through the holidays which will really help considering what a stressful time the holidays can be normally.  Hopefully I can relax a little and enjoy the extra time with my family.

This weekend, after being out of work only a week, I realized how much I HATE not working.  I'm really going to have a tough time waiting for a good opportunity, because I think I'll take anything to get back to work.

TheManWithThePlan's picture

Greetings from Tokyo.

I had to lay off a number of staff this year and I may be about to get a taste of my own soup.  It`s been a very painful year and it`ll get only harder with the holidays approaching and the prospect of a jobless January.  My $0.5 of advice:

- Think strengths:  Build on whatever skills made you successful in the past.  Write your strengths down and back them up with facts. Sell yourself.

- Dream:  This is your chance to experiment with new challenges. 

- Don`t be a victim anymore. Don`t be the guy who got the chop. Be the guy open to new opportunities and challenges and willing to contribute 110%.

- Stay active: One of my clients lost his job at a PR agency. He now does some private consulting, teaches in the evenings and helps a friend at Hawaiian restaurant in catering  and events. He makes half what he used to, but he tells me he`d never been so active and connected with his network and family. 

- Think transition.  This will not last forever. This experience will make you tougher,stronger and more resilient.

All the best,

 

bug_girl's picture

If you are having a hard time not working, consider volunteering.  It gets you out of the house, expands your network with new people, and gives you something to do other than brood.  http://www.volunteermatch.org/ and serve.gov are two spots you can find places looking for help, but there are many local spots too.

Disclaimer: I work for a non-profit that relies heavily on volunteers.  I am not entirely dispassionate about the topic :)

A little brooding is, I think, normal and healthy. Your life has been disrupted. Some processing of that is appropriate!  I wouldn't worry about it unless you are still broody in a couple of weeks.  Or hatch an egg.

akinsgre's picture

Thanks Bug Girl.. You made me remember that I had run across an opportunity to do some computer training for a local charity.  This does seem like a great time to get involved.

jhbchina's picture

Take a class at your local community college, or night school, or continuing ed. Now is a perfect time to learn something new, meet new people, and grow your network while learning.

It will keep you busy, distract you from waiting for response to jobs applications, and allow you to achieve some short term goals.

Enroll today!, and make sure you have to leave the house to attend class so you interact with other!

JHB "00"

akinsgre's picture

There have been some positives recently.  First a friend in my network had some contract work available, which will help me keep busy and keep some income while still giving me time to work on my job search.

I had a phone interview scheduled for this morning, but the recruiter never called me.  I'm not sure what to do about that.  I called his number and left a message, but haven't heard anything.

mpnikolic's picture

Thank you kindly for the link to Volunteermatch.org. I applied for a position as a substitute teacher and received a reply within 24 hours. Should have an appointment after the holidays. Great resource.

I was laid off in May and just recently discovered Manager Tools. It has reinvigorated me, provided me with actionable insight and I am looking forward to the experience.

Michael

bug_girl's picture

I'm glad you found it useful! We are always so grateful that people choose to give of their time and expertise to our organization. 

It's also easier to keep your momentum going when you don't stop moving :)

akinsgre's picture

I started a new job on Monday morning.

Thanks to everyone here, Mark & Mike's great advice, and the interviewing series, I wasn't out of a job for that long.  As a result of increasing my networking, a friend offered me some part time work during my transition, which really helped keep the stress level low for me and my wife.  I had a lot of spare time over the holidays to spend with my family and friends and even work on some interesting new things.  

So, on the whole, getting laid off was pretty positive for me ;-)

The job is at Fiserv, in Pittsburgh, PA.  If there is anyone on this list that works at Fiserv, I'd like to get in touch; so please PM me.

Thank you, everyone!

jhack's picture

Well done.  Thanks for updating the community.   

John Hack

430jan's picture

Thanks for sharing that success with the forums. Good news is so nice to hear. Congratulations!