Surviving a Layoff: You Kept Your Job. Now Keep Sane.

re: Surviving a Layoff

Monkeygrrl — Mon, 11 May 2009 21:36:16 GMT

I was called into my direct supervisor's office to be reassured that I was not being fired - because the big boss thought I was cracking up. My office has become the dumping zone for general unhappiness. I'm considering taking up liquor.

re: Surviving a Layoff

R.R. — Mon, 11 May 2009 22:05:52 GMT

Now you know why those that are left to "man the fort," keep calling in sick! They're drafting up their job resumes after they take an extended 12 hours of sleep! Who wants to wake up so bright and cheery, knowing that they have to save up their energy to face a much bigger grindstone today, since there's less help in the office? Can't tell you how many times in this recession, that I've seen businesses manned by only one laborer behind the counter doing just about everything, while that skilled laborer has to answer to at least three bosses taking it easy at some fancy restaurant, making all the money off that one person's hard work. And a lot of these hard-working people have families to care for when they go home. Something's gotta give, and that's called, "job burnout." But why should these conservative bosses care; if they burn out one worker they can always replace them with another, eager to work longer hours, work faster, for cheaper wages and no benefits. 19th Century... anyone? And thank you, Bush/Cheney, for creating this unregulated, "free market," economic quagmire we now have to ride out and survive, or die trying.

re: Surviving a Layoff

nico_writes — Mon, 11 May 2009 23:59:36 GMT

Can I come over and drink with you Monkeygrrl? I've survived so many layoffs, I know my time is coming. When I was young my parents told me that if I studied and worked hard, I would do well in this world. They never imagined that none of that would make a difference if my company could outsource my job to India and pay someone 1/3 of my wage. I'm sitting here middle aged, wondering why I worked so hard for my education and what will I do now?

re: Surviving a Layoff

JMcKasson — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:38:51 GMT

After months of layoff anxiety for which I sought professional help, I was laid off from my job. Turns out the anxiety was founded. I did do a few things to help reduce my general anxiety level during that time leading up to the layoff that both eased the anxiety and the ultimate pain and fear of the layoff itself. Nothing would have prepared me for "Your role has been eliminated," but at least I'd done some prep.

1. Got my portfolio in order and my resume updated. Project lists? Check. Writing samples? Check. Commendations and proof of atta-boys? Check. The writing I did for the CFO? Check. All on a thumb drive, all tucked safely away in my possession at home. No company secrets or sensitive docs went with me. Just the things I would need for future use in job interviews and resume mailings. You never know what the HR folks at your company will let you have once they show you the door. Get it now and you'll have it no matter what. Remember to abide by any company policies. Getting fired means you don't get unemployment, and that would REALLY put a crimp in things.

2. Did a layoff drill on the household. We seriously pared monthly obligations, worked to reduce debt, moved, and otherwise prepared for living on a single unemployment insurance income. The first thought that crossed my mind when they told me was "This is horrible." The second one was "At least I can still pay my bills." We practiced shopping at grocery discounters and refusing to buy unless it was at a certain price point per item/oz/lb. We looked at what COBRA would cost and factored it in.

3. Bolstered my LinkedIn profile. Recommendations are never easier to get than when you've just been laid off if people liked you. They also help you get the new position.

4. Worked to raise my profile and visibility of my work. Okay, so this wasn't so successful since I got laid off anyway, but the more people I worked with and who experienced my brand of Sharepoint goodness and light, the more people could testify that yes, indeed, I was truly not lying when I said I liked working in Sharepoint. The more cross-pollination you get, the more chance you have.

5. Stop worrying and finally just do the job you have. Appreciate each day and know that you are a statistic as much as the people who are out of work are. Upgrade your skills and take advantage of any trainings and certifications available to you through your employer.

re: Surviving a Layoff

Jayshree — Tue, 12 May 2009 07:03:40 GMT

This is a very helpful article.

Incidentally there is an interesting website that is specifically dedicated to recession victims.It offers help and discusses all issues related to recession-www.angstcorner.com. It’s worth a visit!

re: Surviving a Layoff

The Messiah — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:34:18 GMT

Many people in America are and will continue to be punished for the crimes of ScumBama and the other criminals on Corruption Hill. When the pain and suffering gets high enough, these criminals will be removed from office.

re: Surviving a Layoff

good luck — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:43:19 GMT

I have been laid off for about 6 weeks now and like many others, I thought that I would survive the 1st set of layoffs. I received a great Pay for Performance review and even got a 3% raise (highest was 3.5 %) about 3 weeks before I was laid off. Never thought that it would happen to me.

When my boss told me about letting me go, I did act very nice but was in total shock. One of the first things that I did was try to network with some people that I knew in Human Resources in other companies. Then I did ask for recommendations--it worked out very nicely.

Still after 20 or so resumes out and two interviews, no job yet. I was hoping to have a job within 8 weeks but it doesn't appear to be so. It seems that once the economy get back in shape and summer is over, things may pick up.

So, I guess that I will need to chill, read some books and hope for the best. I really expect to be working by September 2009--

I have a college degree--as a matter of fact two degrees with both majors and minors and 5 certifications in the insurance industry-- so training would not benefit me.

any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!

I live and would like to continue to work in Eastern PA.

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re: Surviving a Layoff

dharmon — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:27:05 GMT

I can relate to all the aforementioned points. The week before our wedding (April 2008), my husband was let go from his job, and the month after I was downsized out of Motorola after 8 great years. We spent 5 months both unemployed, and another 5 for me after my husband found a job he loves. We are almost 30 and lived off our investments - of which hardly anything is left, but never missed a bill - and it's taken a toll on both of us.

I was sick off and on the entire 10 months I was out of work and lost a good 20 pounds, but started making time to go to church and give back to get my mind off job searching for a couple an hours a day, if anything. While my high blood pressure from a 90% life of travel leveled off, I couldn't even find it in myself to eat. It was a big ego blow to both of us, being smart, young college grads - UT Austin and NC State. I think we both were fearless as to our careers - I know I was. I sent out 20-30 resumes/cover letters a day only to get turned down every time, except by some fly by night marketing firm

Today I can thankfully say we are working our way back up - almost a 6 figure couple - trying to put back into savings what we survived on for almost a year. It's been a long, hard road for a newlywed couple (or any couple!) but we've still got our house, cars, dignity, health, and our love for each other through it all.

Life abroad is not paradise. - Page 96 - iSTORYA.NET

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re: Suviving a Layoff: You Kept Your Job. Now Keep Sane.

Kanan Divecha — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:44:27 GMT

A good how-to article for the job survivors. Bottomline? Stick to the straight and narrow - just do your best at your job, the rest be damned. If you are good at it, you will survive; despite being good at it, if you too are shown the door after a point, what the heck, just leave. View it as God's wish for you to take a break, learn a skill, travel, whatever. Work is just a fraction of what our life is. It's not what makes our whole life. Life is, after all, as Shakespeare said, a stage; we are merely actors playing out our parts. We must learn to go with the flow, learn the lessons we are supposed to learn and move on. If we can do that with a smile, we are true survivors. Don't sweat the small stuff. Be happy, always. Kanan Divecha, Mumbai, India

Prepare for Corporate Layoffs » Blog Archive » Surviving a Layoff - Newsweek Blog

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