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Topic: Laid Off- Now What?
| Author | Message |
| newstome | Posted – 5/14/2007 2:47:40 PM | show profile I was just told my editorial position at a magazine is being eliminated because we're losing money like crazy. The temptation is to a. tell people in the industry that I'm looking for a new job because I'm looking for a new challenge, or b. to just send everybody I know an email that I'm moving on, without explanation. I know I need to reach out directly to people in the industry AND be honest about why I'm going, but it's an embarassing position to be in to need to ask for help. Also, the editor asked me to stay through July, but the publisher said I could leave when I want to and he'll pay me through July. I'm afraid that being alone in my apt could be pretty depressing, being here won't be much better. Any tips about how to proceed? I've never been laid off before. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 5/14/2007 2:53:06 PM | show profile Most publishers are familiar with layoffs, and many writers and editors have been in that position. Believe me, it's better to be laid off because a publisher's losing money than to just "look for a new job" or "look for a new challenge" -- although those are reasons people leave places. Get looking right away. If you get severance, and that'sa sure thing, you might give 2 weeks notice to be nice and then take the severance because the good news is that severance can fund your job search. Be diligent in that job search, hit hard and early. College grads are out in the marketplace shortly as well, if not already. Good luck! |
| ManhattanMatt | Posted – 5/14/2007 2:57:06 PM | show profile Don't be proud ... ...start networking NOW. Friends and colleagues will understand ... we've all been there, and will likely be there again at some point. I never hesitate to pass along a resume within my organization, or to put friends or colleagues in need in touch with people who might be able to help them. Who knows, I might need that very person one day to HIRE me. Also, cut your expenses to ZERO. Save save save. And stay on the job until you find something new, or until your time runs out ... whichever comes first. Make phone calls from work. Print and fax resumes from work. Use your soon-to-be-former employer's resources for your benefit right now. With discretion, of course. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 5/14/2007 3:11:44 PM | show profile There's nothing to be embarrassed about. Being laid off because the company is in financial difficulty doesn't have any stigma, like being fired does. Start letting people know you're job hunting because you're going to have to deal with this sooner or later, and sitting around stewing about it can only hurt. --I was just told my editorial position at a magazine is being eliminated because we're losing money like crazy. The temptation is to a. tell people in the industry that I'm looking for a new job because I'm looking for a new challenge, or b. to just send everybody I know an email that I'm moving on, without explanation. I know I need to reach out directly to people in the industry AND be honest about why I'm going, but it's an embarassing position to be in to need to ask for help. Also, the editor asked me to stay through July, but the publisher said I could leave when I want to and he'll pay me through July. I'm afraid that being alone in my apt could be pretty depressing, being here won't be much better. Any tips about how to proceed? I've never been laid off before.-- |
| AWC | Posted – 5/14/2007 4:38:04 PM | show profile Although it sucks to be without a job, you shouldn't feel bad about being laid off. Most everyone I know in publishing has been there (including myself), and more than a few have been there multiple times. There is no reason not to be honest about it. However, you need to hit the ground running right now -- start leveraging all the contacts you have asap. Summer is not a great time to be looking for a new job because you will be competing with recent grads, and then you're going to run into vacation season when no one is around. It's up to you to decide how much of a committment you want to make to your current employer given the options presented to you. If I were you, I would offer to help in any "transition" of your responsibilties, but that's about it. Your first priority needs to be to yourself right now. Good luck! |
| Chamsah | Posted – 5/14/2007 4:45:19 PM | show profile | email poster I was laid off too Hi Newstome. Sorry to hear your bad news. I was recently laid off as well after seven years at my pub. Same thing: my position was eliminated because the company was losing money. A total of thirty people lost their jobs. It was totally unexpected and one of the hardest things I've ever been through. So I know how you feel. If you want to chat, send me an email. Perhaps we can help each other out. Good luck. |
| Marie | Posted – 5/14/2007 10:42:19 PM | show profile Stay on the job as long as you can, but start looking now. Take care of all your medical needs while you're still covered on t he company's plan (COBRA is so expensive you might not opt for it, although it is a way to continue your exact coverage). The good thing is, even though you're still on the job, you can take time off to look for a job. Take any vacation or personal days (you lose personal days) you have. You can schedule interviews during work time. Call in sick when you feel like it. Even though the publisher said he'd pay you until July, I would keep working. It's always better to be employed. And then take whatever severance is offered after that. So I'd keep working as long as they don't object to your looking for a job on their time. There's really no stigma to being laid off. Just say your job is being eliminated if you don't like the words "laid off." And summer is a fine time to be looking for work. Actually there really is no bad time, except for the week between Christmas and New Year's. I've started jobs in August. People hire when they need to, and that can be anytime. Good luck. And you will be able to collect unemployment. Line up freelance gigs if a staff job is long in coming. You might even like that arrangement better. Many people do. Good luck. |
| Bleak Spouse | Posted – 5/14/2007 11:41:07 PM | show profile I've never laidoff, but I've been fired (in a hit job by a boss I was having a lot of tension with for months) so I know what it's like. I got on the ball right away as far as networking and sending out resumes. I managed to get freelance work right away and found a cheaper place to live. I was surprised how many calls I got for interviews. If you've got solid work experience, determination, humility, and approach your job search with a positive attitude, things will come before you know it. I ended up with a much better job and working for people I respect. |
| DHernandez | Posted – 5/15/2007 10:30:55 AM | show profile Don't be embarrassed, and do stay on the job until the bitter end, unless something comes along -- if you quit, you won't be eligible for unemployment benefits. *Do* apply for benefits; you've paid into them for a reason, and even though the checks are small, they help to stretch your savings. Consider layoff to be a passage of life, one of those things that so many people experience. It's a time of uncertainty, but also a time of possibility. I suggest making a part-time job now out of finding a new job. Give yourself goals: so many contacts a week, which might be answering ads, making cold calls, networking. Keep a log of everything you do, so you can see what you did and when you did it. Meanwhile, let friends take you to lunch and dinner; when I was laid off, indulged ourselves with a lunch of soup, salad and icewater at a Ritz Carlton! Do keep those endorphins flowing with exercise, and keep faith in yourself that the universe holds good things for you past this bump in the road. |
| newstome | Posted – 5/16/2007 1:09:30 PM | show profile Thank you Thanks to all for your thoughts and direction. I have had some time to absorb the reality and develop a game plan, including a dental appointment:-) I'll come back to these when I need to buck myself up during the job search. It's heartening to see others who have been through something similar and made it out on the other side. |
| Marie | Posted – 5/17/2007 12:30:44 AM | show profile And remember to get references lined up before you leave. I think it's clear they like you--otherwise, they wouldn't be asking you to stay, and the publisher wouldn't be offering to pay you until July even if you leave before then. Do a good job during the time you have left, but don't hesitate to take the time off you need to go on interviews. I'm sure they'll be very understanding of your need to do this, and will wish you all the best. |
| Bleak Spouse | Posted – 5/17/2007 12:58:09 AM | show profile >>>It's heartening to see others who have been through something similar and made it out on the other side. That was actually one of the most helpful things for me right after I got sacked, to hear other people's stories so I didn't feel isolated. I recommend a book called Landing on the Right Side of Your Ass: A Survival Guide for the Recently Unemployed by Michael Laskoff, if nothing else to read stories about other people losing their jobs. It's a great thing to know you're not alone. |
