Layoffs happen all the time in the tech industry. I know this might be a total culture shock to some of you that have been fortunate to have avoided prior layoffs that happened in our industry. But this is the industry norm. Whether a layoff impacts you or not is not really in your control at this point, so nothing you do right now (working harder, working smarter) is really going to help at this point. Just chill, relax, spend more time with your family, go out, pick up your hobby that you've been putting off, get laid. Do something else than worry about a stupid job. If you must, go interview, get your house in order (resume, linkedin profile, contacts), make some calls to colleagues (it's surprising how much your friends will want to help you out when something like this happens because we've all been there)....Q management is being an idiot to drag this out for so long, but that's great news for you. It means you can take time off from work to go talk to other companies, while still getting that Q paycheck. I'm sure your manager won't mind because I'm sure he/she is doing the same thing, if he/she is smart.
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I was laid off by a major electronics company that paid over $2K for me to go to an outplacement firm that has seminars, webinars, courses etc.
They are saying that no - this is not normal. Whole functional corporate groups are getting canned. People that have >15 years in the company. They say the new normal is 3-5 years at a company. Work project to project. It used to be that it was smart to move to a different company every 3 years to diversify and advance. Now you will be forced to undergo weeks/months of unemployment and lucky if you get a better position. Best thing to do is to build your contact base - you'll need it.
Anonymous122919 I totally agree. Which is exactly why weeks ago I was telling folks to look for a job before any layoff announcement. To combat against someone else totally ripping you off it helps to have more than one offer.
OP.. as much as I agree with you, I must point out that the lofty compensation expectations need to be toned down significantly by folks if they want to get something right away especially when you think about the talent that's going to flood the market. Employers are not stupid and they too will want to capitalize on this situation especially when they have a bigger pool to choose from. Not to mention, if people don't get anything in the next 3 months then they may as well plan on enjoying life and cruising through the holidays...
OP - I totally agree. There are a lot of dumba$$ losers posting here that are clueless and crying like babies over spilled milk. Layoffs are part of this business and each company has their own methods. There is no easy way to let people go but it has to be done.
No doubt. In the 80s and 90s employers looked at you sideways if you had been at a job more than 5 years. I've lost track of the number of layoffs I've been through. Pull your selves together. You had a job before this one, you'll find a job aftee. It isn't the recession. Business is good. You'll probably even find a promotion or at least a boost in pay. Quit your whining. Qualcomm is doing what it needs to, to survive. You need to do the same.
True story: I got contacted by a company that I really wanted to work at, but I told the recruiter " I really like your company, but I'm pretty happy right now working for my current Director, and we make a pretty good team. So currently, I'm not really looking to move to a different company"....Two weeks later, my Director calls me into his office and says, "I got something to tell you". I was thinking oh shit, I'm getting laid off. But no, he says, "I'm leaving the company"...And when I asked him where he was going, he told me he was going to the same company that I wanted to go that I turned down... And we laughed about it because the reason why the recruiter called me was because he had put in a good word for me.... (Idiot as I was to say no before talking to them). So lesson learn is if you get a phone call from another company, it doesn't hurt to talk to them. Who knows, you're entire team might already be going there.