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« Introducing Our New Guest Blogger | Main | My Top 10 Points of Action in Kicking Off an Organized Job Search After a Layoff »

May 29, 2009

Nearly 6 Million Jobs Have Been Lost in the Last 17 Months -- How and Why I Do Not Feel Like Such a Statistic

Recently, I was informed that my position was eliminated due to tough economic times. Despite being mentally prepared given the rolling downsizing events in my firm, I still was hoping against hope that my job was safe. The call came so late in the day that I had a sudden tightness in my chest when I saw the paperwork pile sitting in front of the HR director. My young sons’ college nest eggs evaporated in my mind and I was dazed. Immediately, the bad news hit the grapevine or “ether”-net as we call it in my industry. Suddenly droves of folks were stopping me in the hallway, asking questions in disbelief and shock. My gut reaction was to instantly reassure them this was a good chance at new possibilities. The questions were the same over and over again.


So wearing my business hat, how could I communicate the same information to keep everyone on the same page without talking myself hoarse and losing my focus? Use a tool from my marketing arsenal and post up a Frequently Asked Questions sheet (FAQs) outside my office. This really empowered me and made me feel that I had control over the floods of questions/concerns on people’s minds. Taking control of my situation was instrumental in NOT feeling like a statistic. PLUS, it created a uniformity of understanding about my unique situation.


So here are the FAQs that I posted physically outside my office wall. These FAQs seemed to satisfy the question seekers and yielded me some peace to focus on my next steps in becoming an EMPLOYMENT statistic. I owned my situation, rather than it owning me. Feeling empowered this early in the job loss situation was instrumental in my well-being and positive outlook to move forward!


Jane Allerton’s FAQs


Q: Is it true that you are part of this downsizing?

A. Yes, you heard correctly, but it is a good chance for new things.


Q: When is your last day?

A: As with everyone else in this wave of downsizing, it will be next Friday.


Q: What’s your plan of action and next steps?

A: I am seeking a variety of possibilities including contract work both internally and externally in NY or by virtual commuting. I have a schedule mapped out for every day for employment seeking. Also, I am considering retraining and certifications in other skill set areas.


Q: Why don’t you spend more time with your young sons now?

A: Evan and Owen count on me to support their livelihoods 100%. Thus, work is a must for me.


Q: Aren’t you angry, after 10 years of 60-hour workweeks, at being let go?

A: No, rather I am saddened leaving my beloved colleagues and customers; however, for me, this is now an OPPORTUNITY!

What would your FAQs look like?


Have you recently faced a layoff, too? Get advice for moving forward from our special report, “Laid Off -- Now What?” 

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Posted by Jane Allerton on May 29, 2009 at 09:15 AM in Current Events , Job Search | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)

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Comments

Jane, I found your blog through a google alert on au pairs (for AuPairMom.com) but I stayed to read these positive essays about how you are approaching your 'next steps'. I've written a lot about layoffs and alternatives to layoffs at http://AuthenticOrganizations.com , but always from the organizational level... it is so important not only to remember to acknowledge the jobs lost and families challenged, but also to find ways to reframe a layoff as an invitation to opportunity. WHile it sounds Pollyanna-ish, it is critical to take charge. Good for you!

Posted by: CV Harquail | Jun 3, 2009 11:33:15 AM

I was laid off back on august 2008 , I am in construction, I also have a shower door business , I have been looking it is very tough at this point.I tried to go back to school the goverment is giving me 9000 in grants but its not enough, I need an additional 8215 all because they looked on my 2008 tax returns...

Posted by: rob | Jun 3, 2009 6:24:03 PM

I was laid off last october and I'm still looking for a job. I have tried everything to find a new position, even I have 3 different degrees and they are veryu similar or connected(Electrical, Telecommunications, and Electronis Engineering). Most of employers are asking for very skilled people, they don't waant to spend time and money training nobody. Also, employers require many types of licenses and certificacions. However,they want to pay less money and keep you as an slave's company. If this is the recovery plan of Mr's Obama, we are toasted. We need better opportunities to grow as people, no misery, America is broken and hobody is doing anything to put it back, thanks fellows.

Posted by: Cesar | Jun 9, 2009 4:04:24 PM

I was laid off in October 2008, I'm a very talented architect and we do not deserve this situation.
I wont give up, I applied to thousand of jobs, enrolled in some education but the architectural industry looks dead.
I don't know but this country is going to the basics, only jobs as police officer, firefighter or the health industry are in the mood.
Millions of people like me are in the path to loose everything what we did in all our lives.
In the other hand, the Banks and Lobbies are still getting money from our taxes. This sound disgusting.
I use to agree with the President, but when I saw in the news the first Lady shopping in Paris when millions of us are sending to the unemployment every month I got upset a little bit.
Is anyone agree with this?
Good Luck to all

Posted by: Victor | Jun 9, 2009 5:20:28 PM

Jane - I love your optimism. I too was impacted by a job elimination ans saw it as an opportunity to move into new and exciting things. I told people everything has a season and my season at the company was over but there would be brighter days ahead. Although that was back in December, I am certain the future is bright - I just need to focus on a plan of action and work the plan like a job, and focus on results as had been done during my tenure in my previous position. I also need to assemble a team - I previously held a Director's position, and see the need in the job search to have a team of experts to consult with and plan next steps. I recommend highly to bounce idea off business professional and those within your field, if no one knows how to help you, they can't not to mention there is the opportunity for you to help others as well..
Thanks, Jane.

Posted by: Roxanne | Jun 9, 2009 8:55:13 PM

After being in the same industry for 30 years, I can see the end of the tunnel and was aware of that fact that I was spoiled and now taking the pieces working the the assembly line of BOA/Countrywide doing a kid's job with a meek salary and they said you are among the top 10 of the work force working for the Fortune 500 company, At my age, I cannot compete with a little kid for speed and being at the computer 8+ hrs a day. Just take a day at a time and life is going back to normal soon. I hope that the economy will improve as my backlog projects will have a day when foreigners come here to buy when prices are too cheap for them to afford. Please keep our faith in the country that always play the role model for the rest of the world.
God bless you all.

Posted by: Kim | Jun 9, 2009 9:49:26 PM

I did not imagine an RN would be looking for a job,but in a bad economy,new CEO and reorganization my position was eliminated.It took 2 months before I could speak without getting distressed about it.I had to learn how to look for a job: no ads,just connections for upper management positions....After a series of great interviews I am still looking.Lesson learned: if recruiters call,talk to them.Establish relationships.I loved my job,made that clear,and never gave them air time.That is my only regret.Then,I took stock of what I have accomplished,understand it is a real achievement,and give myself credit each time I talk to a group in a panel interview. There is a job just for me out there!

Posted by: Linda | Jun 9, 2009 11:28:53 PM

Consider yourself lucky that you were given a week to wrap up your work before you were shown the door; however for most of us that was not the case. In my case I was called to HR (my entire department was closed down) given my severance and COBRA information then escorted to my desk to pack up my belongings and walked to my car. No chance to say goodbye to anyone much less post FAQ's. For our group we have used Facebook as a communication tool as well as gathering for lunch about once a month. That was in March, now severance is gone, unemployment checks are coming in and the reality of dismal job market has hit. Staying positive is getting tougher as resumes go out and not so much as an acknowledgement of receipt comes back.

I am looking at this as an opportunity to re-invent myself, but I am 55 years old and everything that is coming my way right now is entry level which does not make my house payment. Re-inventing myself may involve more than a career change, it will involve a life change and not all of it welcome.

Posted by: Leslie | Jun 10, 2009 11:20:43 AM

I recently lost my position as well. It was maddening. I'm a working mom, and I went from being able to pay the bills to wondering how I'm going to be able to feed my young child (let alone myself and my husband). And then there's the rent, and the car... and it's a minimum of a month before any of the paperwork I filed for assistance will go through.

It's been excruciatingly painful. My heart goes out to those who have lost their jobs as well, and I'd been watching the going ons of the economy with nervousness all this time, praying that the assurances of coworkers were right.

The worst about all of this was that I was given absolutely no warning. No "You have 3 weeks / 1 month / etc". Nothing. Just a "We're removing your position effective immediately." I literally got dumped out on my butt without any kind of warning to try to transition smoothly.

All we can do is take it one day at a time, and try not to think about tomorrow. All that will do is drive you insane.

Posted by: K A | Jun 10, 2009 11:22:11 AM

To Linda the RN. Do not know where you live, but Texas is begging for medical professionals. You may need to consider working through a locum tenens and be flexible to travel some.
To everyone else,if you are unemployed and under 35, take as best a job as you can that is out there and work your way back up. You are young, take advantage of that very positive thing about you. I realize YOU may have incurred a lot of financial obligations, however, plug away as best as you can. If you are really good at what you do, then you will be back in great shape quickly and moving up in a new company, but if you were not, then try another career now while you are young.
I believe the biggest mistake most of us have made is to be well educated in one area and have acquired a great deal of experience in "one field" of work. That is a big mistake, nowadays. Try and be versatile and learn other fields if at all possible so you can crossover to something else when yours goes to pot, and at some time it probably will.
I have a 30+ year career, no degree and over 55. I am in quite a pickle. Us baby boomers will probably have a harder go of it as we are many. But we have our mortgages, 401K and hopeful retirement before the age of 85 to make us keep on truckin'.
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE.
GC

Posted by: GC | Jun 14, 2009 3:56:49 PM

Hello Roxanne! Thanks so much for your positive feedback which I appreciate. Your points about an action plan, results and a team of experts are really spot on. It would be interesting to learn (on behalf of the millions of Monster job seekers) what the most helpful insight that your team of experts has shared with you?

Similarily, I have my circle of consultants, but call them my sounding board. They've done everything from providing commentary about my resume to interview strategies. Most surprisingly, is how reassuring and confident my sound board has been regarding re-employment opportunities. In fact, one of them said, "you'll probably be working again before you want to." That supportive comment really made my day, even my week!

Jane

Posted by: Jane Allerton | Jun 16, 2009 11:09:52 AM

I lost my position November 7th. I was told at 7AM that my position was being eliminated, right that minute! I had to walk out of that office, and back to mine and try to keep my Operations Manager hat on as I passed my peers along the way. I told those that "did the deed" that I was relieved that it was me because I was a survivor. I told them that I had no debt to weigh me down, and I could get along just fine with what ever GOD put in my path next. They were all sort of ticked off I think because I had a smile on my face when I walked out. I managed to pack up my things and turn in their property without showing the disgust I had for the manager who didn't stick up for me because the other choice was a close personal friend of his. I wrote a goodbye email to the other people whom I talked to every day being careful not to allow emotion to get the best of me. Then after I got home, I sent a personal email to the manager letting him know I was not angry and that I would be praying for him to succeed in whatever was next. I am still looking.

Posted by: John Gaskey | Jun 17, 2009 6:39:58 PM

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