I’m sure everybody will agree that laid-off GM workers are in a specific position compared to people in other branches that were cut. It’s not like there is a car assembly plant around every corner where people can apply for a job and the fact is that most of us based our lives around GM plants. My dilemma is what to do when we are cut. Is the smart thing to do to “chase the industry” and apply at other locations, with all the burdens of relocating, or is it better to try to retrain and seek our fortunes in other businesses? Thoughts?
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I'm in information security. Other than a bruised ego from being let go I'll be fine
@X9oVRnS-xnl - That all depends. If you work in SAP for example, there are a lot of different organizations that would value your skills.
I think your stuck with something automotive if you've been in that business a number of years. Other employers will look at your resume and skillset and see you've been pigeon holed. They won't even give you a new opportunity unless you have done experience in their line of work.
You do what you have to do to survive. Look for local employment in your automotive area, but also keep other options on the table.
An analogy I can give you is back in 2008, there were so many suppliers that relied upon the big three for their business, and when that tragedy hit, they felt huge pain. Today you will find that they diversify into so many areas or among so many customers, that any one company wouldn't damage the business.
And there lies the point. If you haven't already, you may want to start planting the seeds to get outside of the shadows of these companies. Start a business and help it grow now. Do what you must to put food on the table with the jobs you can get. I've worked on GM campuses for so long to know that situations like today, will continue to occur forever so long as this company stands. It's built into it's history. Roll with the punches and do what you must, but plant those seeds for yourself.
At the end of the day, you have the most important interest in yourself.
That depends on your area of skillset. Is your skillset only applicable within the automotive context? Are we talking about blue or white collar jobs here?