It would have been so much easier to deal with this while the job market was on fire. Whoever is laid off now will be lucky to find a job within six months, at least! I don't care how good the severance is, at some point, it'll run out. And if I don't have another way to generate income at that point, I'm basically screwed.
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For us financially okay, get 6 months to take a break, recharging and prepare myself for next job. Hope there is volunteer chance I am going to take it.
There's never been a "volunteer" chance except for the 2 early retirement opportunities they gave and this is not going to be one of those they've said. The "voluntary separation" back a couple of years ago was for those whose role needed to be cut, and you could "volunteer" to leave immediately or stay for 2 months and look for an internal job and if you didn't find one, then you were involuntarily cut. Either way, your current job was ending.
Just because you're financially okay now, taking 6 mo off means that you're totally dependent upon the job market in 6 months, and now you're one of those "out of work" and "I need a job" candidates that companies can low-ball offers knowing you don't have much choice. Sure, you're well off and you can go a few more months to get a better offer, but now your dipping into savings/retirement assets the longer you look. Best to grab a job ASAP while you're still employed.
It makes no difference when you're laid off. If you're good at what you do, you'll be fine.
Tell me you've never been laid off without telling me you've never been laid off. Luckily being part of a publicly announce mass lay-off where the company says it's cutting unprofitable business units removes a lot of negative stigma as being terminated as bottom performer, but there's still some "stink" on you that potential hiring manager will always wonder why were you let go instead of someone else. How do you prove that you're good at what you do? It's not so much about being good at what you do, but it helps, as it's about who you know and that they have an opportunity to bring you on and want to bring you on as they're sticking their neck out for you and putting their reputation on the line for you.
@1bhe+1jLyc15r is spot on. And, if they're not a bully, they're a micro-manager. Every job I've accepted while interviewing unemployed, I've had a micro-manager as a boss. Then I spend 6-12 months looking for a better role and land a good one where I stay for 3-5 yrs until I get laid off again and repeat the cycle again.
- Recruiters lowball you when unemployed (zero ability to negotiate)
- It's significantly more difficult to obtain interviews while unemployed
- Hiring managers with bully characteristics prefer unemployed candidates. Bullies enjoy hiring employees with no other options
It makes no difference when you're laid off. If you're good at what you do, you'll be fine.
I knew some folks would prefer to get the severance, mostly over-worked 50+ engineers.
For us financially okay, get 6 months to take a break, recharging and prepare myself for next job. Hope there is volunteer chance I am going to take it.