Comments on: How to Prepare for a Layoff http://workawesome.com/your-job/how-to-prepare-for-a-layoff/ A Blog For People Who Want To Be Awesome At Work Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:20:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Thomas http://workawesome.com/your-job/how-to-prepare-for-a-layoff/#comment-1948 Thomas Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:56:28 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=14#comment-1948 I really like this Shane guy (6) I really like this Shane guy (6)

]]> By: Working Stiff http://workawesome.com/your-job/how-to-prepare-for-a-layoff/#comment-1454 Working Stiff Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:34:35 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=14#comment-1454 Working for others will always carry with it the possibility of being fired. All very good points above, except for slacking. That is morally wrong, not to mention ethically. It will bite you back. Your reputation is strong currency in a down market. The best alternative is your own business. Design/Art and other biz, means you're as good as your last job. Not to mention that managing a business (sales, accounting, managing others), takes you further away from what you love. Best: Try to invent something. Or, establish a business where you have passive income - that's income where you don't have to be around all the time. A new product like Spanx, a restaurant, a software product, maybe a franchise, etc. The woman who came up with the idea of Croc accessories sold her business for 7-10 million, can't remember. But small business is where it's at. My $.02. Working Stiff Working for others will always carry with it the possibility of being fired.

All very good points above, except for slacking. That is morally wrong, not to mention ethically. It will bite you back. Your reputation is strong currency in a down market.

The best alternative is your own business.
Design/Art and other biz, means you’re as good as your last job. Not to mention that managing a business (sales, accounting, managing others), takes you further away from what you love.

Best:
Try to invent something.
Or, establish a business where you have passive income – that’s income where you don’t have to be around all the time.
A new product like Spanx, a restaurant, a software product, maybe a franchise, etc. The woman who came up with the idea of Croc accessories sold her business for 7-10 million, can’t remember. But small business is where it’s at.

My $.02.

Working Stiff

]]> By: Fishfry http://workawesome.com/your-job/how-to-prepare-for-a-layoff/#comment-671 Fishfry Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:31:05 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=14#comment-671 I feel your pain Joe K. I am a recent grad and I have been unsuccessfully searching for a job for over 9 months. However, I will say this...I am facing the problem that I have great academic history, but because I graduated at such an unfortunate time I just can't compete with the people who have been laid off because they have more post-graduate experience which is very important in my field. With that in mind I realized that I had to find something else to hang my hat on and the only thing I could find was proof that I would bridge the gaps between myself and someone with more experience quickly. Guess what that was...references. Most of the interviews I actually have been able to land have been due to above-average references, which is something you won't be able to depend on if you leave the company feeling like you weren't giving it your all. It is wise to approach each and every job they have as an investment in your future career whether you intend to stay there long-term or not. It can add both to your resume and your references, so you should always be looking for ways to expand your responsibility and your productivity and make yourself an asset worth investing in. I feel your pain Joe K. I am a recent grad and I have been unsuccessfully searching for a job for over 9 months. However, I will say this…I am facing the problem that I have great academic history, but because I graduated at such an unfortunate time I just can’t compete with the people who have been laid off because they have more post-graduate experience which is very important in my field. With that in mind I realized that I had to find something else to hang my hat on and the only thing I could find was proof that I would bridge the gaps between myself and someone with more experience quickly. Guess what that was…references. Most of the interviews I actually have been able to land have been due to above-average references, which is something you won’t be able to depend on if you leave the company feeling like you weren’t giving it your all. It is wise to approach each and every job they have as an investment in your future career whether you intend to stay there long-term or not. It can add both to your resume and your references, so you should always be looking for ways to expand your responsibility and your productivity and make yourself an asset worth investing in.

]]> By: Aurora http://workawesome.com/your-job/how-to-prepare-for-a-layoff/#comment-347 Aurora Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:43:40 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=14#comment-347 Ouch!!! Sorry to hear that, man... Ouch!!! Sorry to hear that, man…

]]> By: Matthew Carson http://workawesome.com/your-job/how-to-prepare-for-a-layoff/#comment-301 Matthew Carson Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:01:58 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=14#comment-301 Richard S., your point about company property is absolutely on target. Recently, I was hauled into HR over objections that I had "proprietary company information" on my freelance site. They claimed that EVERYTHING I do there is proprietary. Mind you, these weren't unpublished design or layouts that contained sensitive pricing info or trade secrets - what I posted in my portfolio were logos, ads, and websites that could seen in public venues and publications. Not only that, I made it very clear that all trademarks and copyrights were the property of their respective owners. In my understanding, these were projects I designed, and I could show a 400x250 thumbnail under fair use. Their response: Take it all down and remove every instance of the company name OR lose your job effective immediately. So here I sit, still with a job but also a 3-year hole in my portfolio. Richard S., your point about company property is absolutely on target.

Recently, I was hauled into HR over objections that I had “proprietary company information” on my freelance site. They claimed that EVERYTHING I do there is proprietary. Mind you, these weren’t unpublished design or layouts that contained sensitive pricing info or trade secrets – what I posted in my portfolio were logos, ads, and websites that could seen in public venues and publications. Not only that, I made it very clear that all trademarks and copyrights were the property of their respective owners. In my understanding, these were projects I designed, and I could show a 400×250 thumbnail under fair use.

Their response: Take it all down and remove every instance of the company name OR lose your job effective immediately.

So here I sit, still with a job but also a 3-year hole in my portfolio.

]]> By: Aurora http://workawesome.com/your-job/how-to-prepare-for-a-layoff/#comment-190 Aurora Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:21:23 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=14#comment-190 I wish I could have read this post a month ago - I was laid off out of the blue a while ago, so now I'm doing freelance design. Funny enough, it's what I've always wanted to do, but not like this... I barely have enough to keep me going this month... But I also have the opportunity to make this work for me. Don't ignore this blog, it makes sense!!! I wish I could have read this post a month ago – I was laid off out of the blue a while ago, so now I’m doing freelance design. Funny enough, it’s what I’ve always wanted to do, but not like this… I barely have enough to keep me going this month… But I also have the opportunity to make this work for me.

Don’t ignore this blog, it makes sense!!!

]]> By: Bob Bessette http://workawesome.com/your-job/how-to-prepare-for-a-layoff/#comment-150 Bob Bessette Sat, 12 Sep 2009 02:40:20 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=14#comment-150 Hi Curtis, Great points all! Fortunately my company is doing well so I don't plan on being a casualty any time soon. Since your handle is Cubicle Curtis you may want to check out my latest post entitled "Cubicle Bliss" (shameless plug), I am impressed with your site and your blog! Best, Bob Hi Curtis,
Great points all! Fortunately my company is doing well so I don’t plan on being a casualty any time soon. Since your handle is Cubicle Curtis you may want to check out my latest post entitled “Cubicle Bliss” (shameless plug), I am impressed with your site and your blog!

Best,
Bob

]]> By: Matt http://workawesome.com/your-job/how-to-prepare-for-a-layoff/#comment-142 Matt Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:47:28 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=14#comment-142 Yea, that is pretty self centered thinking...I live here in Peru where people who have a job, that earn 600-1000 bucks/month while working everyday like it is their last. The US is in the position it is in because of the above attitude and trying to make more, work less, and produce less value. I am guilty of the same from years of easy money up north. My girl has 3 degrees including a 6 year Law degree and Masters in International Taxation, tri-lingual, great professional disposition, 12 years of EXP, and she still struggles here with a great gov job. Go Figure. A good dose of world reality is the best thing for US workers. We have it sooooo good in the lower 48... Yea, that is pretty self centered thinking…I live here in Peru where people who have a job, that earn 600-1000 bucks/month while working everyday like it is their last.

The US is in the position it is in because of the above attitude and trying to make more, work less, and produce less value. I am guilty of the same from years of easy money up north.

My girl has 3 degrees including a 6 year Law degree and Masters in International Taxation, tri-lingual, great professional disposition, 12 years of EXP, and she still struggles here with a great gov job. Go Figure.

A good dose of world reality is the best thing for US workers. We have it sooooo good in the lower 48…

]]> By: Elizabeth K. Barone http://workawesome.com/your-job/how-to-prepare-for-a-layoff/#comment-141 Elizabeth K. Barone Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:18:04 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=14#comment-141 I always assumed that I could use live projects in my portfolio, but what about the in-progress ones that would also be great for my resume? Getting a flash drive and backing it all up is a great idea! I always assumed that I could use live projects in my portfolio, but what about the in-progress ones that would also be great for my resume? Getting a flash drive and backing it all up is a great idea!

]]> By: gaurav http://workawesome.com/your-job/how-to-prepare-for-a-layoff/#comment-139 gaurav Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:25:25 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=14#comment-139 nice nice

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