It doesn't matter if it was a layoff, firing, or walking away, I'm truly curious how many people landed in a worse position once they found a new job? All the posts I keep reading here are from people who did much better, but it's naive to think - at least in my opinion - that everybody's been that lucky. So did you or somebody you know end up in a worse job/environment?
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Rex Tillerson.
December lay-off here, still looking. Feel handicapped a bit because if age (mid-50s), not an engineer and not in Houston or other metro area. However, I sleeping better and generally in a better frame of mind. Will miss the EM paycheck but realizing there are more important things in life.
Been here for 20 years and have seen many people come and go. Only one has ever regretted leaving - and that was only after having been let go at his new place probably because his poor skills were noticed in the new company. The rest all seemed to grin when asked about their new roles, had dropped a lot of weight because they had time to go to the gym, and were generally happier and healthier people. Have to say, I'm a little sad I declined some opportunities I had in the past. At some point you just don't pick your head out of the sand to look around. This situation has made a lot of people start looking, so I think we're going to see more people heading out.
EM vs. general hi-pos have some overlap, but the “kiss@$$” performance dimension is weighted more heavily than are just about any other company, so plenty of people who are only good at that one skill get lumped in with others who are capable in many different ways.
The first year or so is usually a honeymoon. Good so far. Less pay. Believe it or not, less security.
Got PIPed last year, left immediaetely. Got 3 mo free pay from XOM, 1 mo relaxed, started new job in the same field - process control. 12% less pay but 6% 401K match, 10% bonus, so almost the same pay overall. Much nicer people. Many more opportunities. I feel like I am out of prison. Thanks to XOM for the PIP, otherwise I would still be stuck at XOM. I felt I was surrounded by politicians, back stabbers and incompetent people. No going back. XOM not worth it. To those unfortunate not getting PIP, PIP yourself into a new better world.
@qfv+19M18w4z somewhat similar experience. I am currently interviewing for my dream job and it feels wrong to be excited about work.
Im lucky that I was able to relocate and got a job with Ebay. My job and life is way better! Only fools would stay at a dying old company like XOM.
I didn't know the meaning of enjoying at work, until i left EM. Thank god.
I’m considering joining a start up or smaller company which on paper will be a worse position. But the learning opportunities and subsequent future opportunities can make it well worth it.
I'm working more hours with fewer company paid benefits. I also took a bit of a demotion due to the short supply of jobs in my field. However, I'm enjoying the work and I really like the people I'm working alongside. The company I'm with is a small consulting firm with less than 150 employees and we work on major projects for most of the big oil companies. So it's nice to be able to just do my work and bill out my hours while not having to put up with corporate BS like PADPs or D&I trainings. I'm on a project with one of the major midstream companies that has been fun and I could see myself moving over to them if something becomes available. At the end of the day, I am making more cash than I was with XOM but it doesn't have all of the fringe benefits that XOM had like parental leave, flex hours, WFH, etc. That all works fine for me because I would rather have more money in my pocket than to be able to sit on zoom calls from my living room.
Depends on patience. If taking the first offer, then will generally get a worse company and/or low pay. There are good companies hiring, it is just more competitive than usual because people are shifting around given the current economic situation.
General note: Most companies still offer 401k match.
It all depends on what you are looking for. Hopefully our time at ExxonMobil has taught us to add a few more criteria to our job search list.
Slightly worse job but a much better location - was a conscious/intentional trade off I made though, also had an offer for a slightly better job at a worse location.
There is a whole lot more opportunity at other companies. Maybe take a pay cut initially but I fully intend to quickly pass my current compensation. Tax advantages 401k growth. Bonuses. Real opportunities for promotions and advancement. Learning marketable skills. I can go on and on. ExxonMobil is no longer a place of opportunity. The org chart is shrinking not growing so the chance of a good role is diminished.
Depends what you value. Does your criteria consider where you will be a couple or ten years from now? Do you consider not having the annual stress of the PIP. Are you able to move to a place closer to family or friends or with better weather? As long as you take a step back and consider more than just how much will I make the first day I step into the new role it is easy to think people are better off in many if not most cases. Do some soul searching. What is really what you want? I am tired of only seeymy kids for an hour each day due to the long hours and commute.
All end up doing bigger, better jobs. Haven’t heard of one who got into a worse situation.