Always. Be. Looking.
It is better to constantly be actively looking for your next job; and when it comes up take it. Better to take your chances.
Do not get lazy and lulled into a false sense of security thinking the LR money as a safety fallback.
My mistake over many years:
First I spent countless hours worrying about being LR'd. Coping technique.
Then I finally was notified of LR and I had another few months worrying to find another position in the company. What a futile waste of time that was.
Then after I was finally terminated, I spent three months finding a job.
Overall, Ispent weeks, if not months, worrying; it happened anyway. Wasted so much time.
Three things I would have done different:
- Always do the best you can at work. I admit I was complacent. Easy to do bundled up at home on a webex. Comfortable complacency.
- Always be looking. I would get offers to interview but was not truly pursuing opportunities.
- Always be ready to take a chance. Over the years a few interviews proceeded to offers but I turned them down. I was content and waiting for options to mature.
I would have definitely been more aggressive in looking while employed.
I could have controlled the last few years of the whole LR and then moving on much better instead of waiting and worrying by taking charge of my own future.
Always. Be. Looking.