Layoffs Are in the Air
Posted on October 30, 2008
Filed Under Career Development, Cold hard career facts, Must read
As I posted last week, with the economy in a tailspin, layoffs are usually quick to follow. I’m not sure if I’m psychic or not, but within days of that post several large corporations announced massive layoffs. Chysler, Yahoo, and Xerox all announced layoffs last week and just yesterday American Express announced it was laying off 7000 workers or about 10% of it’s workforce. Now more than ever it’s time be prepared.
So what can you do to prepare yourself for potential layoffs? Here’s some ways to get proactive:
- Get your resume updated -sounds like a no brainer, but getting your resume together doesn’t happen overnight. You’d be surprised by how many people get laid off and then spend a couple of weeks just getting their resume together. It takes time, so get moving.
- Keep your ear to the proverbial job market ground -make no mistake, while layoffs are upon us, there are still jobs to be found. Get proactive and identify where they are and what you may need to do to get one, should the need arise. Remember the ‘N’ word; Networking
- Take the temperature at work - You need to know the state of your industry and how your company is doing financially. Don’t wait until they lock the doors to recognize that your company is struggling. Look for the clues. Have they been posting profits or losses over the last fiscal year? Have any of the executives left recently? Have they started asking employees to cut costs? The clues are usually there, look for them. Industries such as banking, manufacturing, and retail be ready.
We’re in for a bumpy ride people, but we can make it through. But you’ll need to keep your eyes and ears open.
Until next time…
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Luckily the Cap’n is safe at Amex…
Layoffs suck.
Mike Olbinski’s last blog post..First Suns game of the season tonight!
Good to hear, I thought of him when I wrote this. Hang in there Cap’n.
Thanks guys…..
it came down like Thor’s hammer around here… tough for folks all around though… great advice on getting resumes up to date…