Have you all found jobs? What were you're best online resources to use? Are you hearing "overqualified" a lot? Thinking about all of you.
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RIFs are hard, but if you were like me you settled for VZ's toxic culture to keep the good pay. It's like staying in an abusive relationship to keep a roof over your head. I dealt with arrogant leaders who weren't qualified, but were part of the clique so they advanced. They were elitists, treated people disrespectfully, but they got results so that was all that mattered. I'm blessed - went from Assoc Dir to Director with another company making six figures. Yes, I'm in my 50's but the experience mattered. There are companies that value your experiences. Stay positive and focused -- remember winning is the best therapy. It's important to network, volunteer and also think about totally different industries that have stability and growth. Release the negative energy about VZ - put it in the rear view mirror. It's a chapter that's closed - life is about creating new opportunities, not lingering on the past. I'm grateful for what I gained from VZ, but now I add value somewhere else. I talk with former colleagues, still complaining about the toxic place and in fear of losing their jobs. What kind of life is that? I pinch myself everyday that I go to work and its stable, fun and your work is appreciated. I'm so happy that this breakthrough happened - VZ did me a favor by laying me off - as I would probably still be there feeling overworked, disengaged but doing the grind. It's funny how life can work out and turn a bad situation to an even better outcome. I wish you the best of luck - keep focused, prayerful and may God bless you and your families!!
Still looking for work. LHH is a waste of time.
LHH sucks by the way...
You should only have at most 10 years on your resume and 2 pages only. The company paid for you to get help on your resume. I still asked for feedback from others after they helped me, but it was a great help to have that initial company get it shaped. I don't subscribe to the I won't get a job at 57 or whatever age. You obviously have great skills and experience. With each interview and modification of your resume, you will land a great job that you won't be looking over your shoulder every year 2x a year.
The problem I still face is that I continue to hear "you're overqualified." I had my resume done because I had no idea how to do one and put 30 years of info on one page. All I'm looking for at this point is a part time job working in IT or doing a Help Desk position. No one is going to hire me at 57 year old. I'm over the Corporate world and office.
The RIF didn't or shouldn't have snuck up on anyone. If you hit your rule of 75 you know the culture. They pay you to leave which is a good perk. if you found comparable work, you just got mobey that those still there worked their butts off during EWA snd will be facing RIFs as usual again. if you have the experience, wisdom, education and positive, energetic approach to embrace somewhere new where you aren't always waiting for the axe to fall, you might be thrilled to move on. If you didn't plan for a possible RIF which has happened for the past 10 years, then Verizon was very good to you. If you did plan , and can't find a position and blame, whether you feel it's age, whatever, then again try every avenue, but I was advised from many and even from the resume company we all had help, networking is a high percentage method. It means the ability to ask others to review your resume, give you candid feedback, it means researching companies you want to work for, it means following up, smiling, mot thinking you deserve a certain salary, but instead, where you can add value to your new employee. It's a csn do attitude.that you have the corporate managerial skills to make you and your new employer successful. No denying it's hard, but Verizon provided $$ for education, you have the experience, you have the drive. Was your dept toxic? Did you really see yourself waking up everyday working for an employer that didn't value you?
@usx- I was one of those rif'd last year. I did not find a better job but it will do for now. I was referring to the positive post about there being life after Verizon. All the negativity about the strike was getting old and not serving any purpose. Those of us who were rif'd could use some words of encouragement instead of constant negativity.
2 millennials are not making 45k with college degrees to do 1 experienced 50 years job. I had and also know people that got multiple interviews and landed great jobs. This is not boasting. They broke their back and also valued themselves and what they could add to a new team. NYC has the most competition yet also offers great opportunitirs.
it's hard to compare apples to apples and paint a broad brush about getting rehired at same or better or slightly below what you were making and getting foot in a door and not using your severance. Share specific situations. Area of expertise, years of experience, formal education etc. and what you have done to get a job Too many generalities and malcontentment. I valued what I learned and valued not working in a management by fear environment. I do better in collobrate, creative places whee they aren't RIFFIng twice a year for the past decade especially every Thanksgiving period. The company paid you to leave. It's not a matter if you will be riffed, it's when.
Like it or not, it is time for a political revolution. A WE and not just ME attitude is the only way those of us doing the real work will survive in the years to come.
@kbc..Thank you for being brutally honest.
I compare these comments on this board to people who don't want to admit they paid more for a car, house, vacation package, plane ticket...for fear they were duped.
In the NorthEast especially, NY,NJ,CT metro areas , the competition is fierce. Why in the H*ll would a company pay you over 80-90K (former VZ Mgrs 50+ yrs old expectations) when they can train&hire 2-3 Millennials for half that (and no pension or health benefits)?
I am not saying it is not possible - congrats to the FEW who found jobs with their skill set BUT the majority better Get Real - FAST
The severance pay goes quick ....Almost 3,000 management professional people at job fairs in this metro area, stretching over 3 city blocks on any given day.
I came to know my RIF on 11/05 going to be effective on 12/31/15. I received new job offer on 11/23. LinkedIn was my source. Overall package is little less than what I was getting in Verizon but am working in environment where I love to come everyday. Stress level is nothing compare to Verizon and my work is appreciated. Best wishes to all my verizon ex-colleagues.
Linked In was my best resource as well. Found a great job that pays a little less, but offers great opportunity down the road. 401k match is not as good and health benefits are about the same.
My stress level is far lower and I don't hear about hard working employees getting cut left and right and outsourced at this company. Directors are not arrogant and pig headed like VZ ones I knew.
Those in IT should try SAIC I have a friend who was downsized twice keeps a positive attitude, networks, keeps his education up, over 50 and never lost,but gained in each downsizing. When there's a will, there's a way. If you took a 70k job that's not bad for an interim as you also got a decent severance. Your next SSigma job will be 6 figures no doubt and you will be in a place that values you. Keep your spirits up, know your worth and try different approaches. I also know Directors who are now VP and Exec Dir happier than ever. One door closing led to others opening up and to places that value them.
The negativity of some are sending some clear signals what may be coming through when trying to search for a new position. There are many good paying jobs out there. It requires having a good resume that clearly shows your value and networking. I worked my tail off and networked and have a positive attitude. No need to lash out at some who landed in even a better position and with companies that value their employees. This site originally started to assist and share for those talented managers who found themselves like many others over the past decade, downsized.
The really negative and accusatory management poster needs to collect himself and please stop hating. It's obvious you are the envious type, angry, lashing out and won't have some humbleness and professionalism to realize not everyone approached a RIF like you did.
I used my Black Belt certification to get a supply chain management job with Sysco. It's not bad but the benefits and pay don't touch what I made with Verizon. Health insurance is higher with less coverage and more deductibles, 401K has only a 5% match, no pension, and my salary is $70K with my year end bonus. The work environment isn't as hostile but truthfully I'm dealing with low-IQ drivers/warehouse people and basically shipping meatballs to restaurants.
You guys here that are boosting about finding better jobs after years at verizon I think are full of it .im sure there are a few but not the majority that were riffed from verizon .cause lets be real people never tell you the bad , its human nature for people to sugar coat there situation.but ill tell you I had a very hard time finding a decent job and it still doesnt pay what I was making at verizon but I accepted it.cause it is what it is, but im not going tell people oh there are great opportunities out there.there are a few but hey not everyone will find them .so trust me when I say verizon doesnt care so take advantage of their tuition program etc.but the older folks ..nobody wants you and thats how it is my friend..just being honest
Still looking....
@dla thanks for the positive post. America has definitely gone to hell for sure the last 7.5 years especially. We as americans need to take voting for president as seriously as we do voting for american idol. In other words, NO MORE MUSLIMS. America can be great again, but not if we vote Hillary "I'm obamas third term" Clinton.
I had 2 full time job offers and did not want the grief of a full time job. Took a part time job in a private school working on PC and audio visual repairs, 4 hours a day. Having a great time, can set my own hours and only have to deal with 2 teachers the entire time.
Truth: we are still unemployed, have received no offers, or have taken a $hit job, with $hit pay and benefits.
The Lie: of course we have been hired elsewhere, with better pay, benefits and work conditions. We have skills that are highly desired and will always be sought after.
Get ready to purchase that one way ticket to India. I promise they will not turn you away for being over qualified.
Yes "positive" sheep marching to the slaughterhouse while reciting your corporate Newspeak.
You make me sick!
it's refreshing to read some positive posts for a change!
Yes some do find better jobs and more do not find better jobs I would say the majority. .thats how this country is now .look at all these college kid that pay too much for a college education and get out and cannot find a decent job they bounce for job to job .and most companies dont pay very well or they only give them part time work and sh--ty benefits..this country has changed and I think its going get worse
There is life after Verizon and networking with many other RIFd employees is a great asset, as many landed in great jobs. You sound bitter, which is understandable and I'm not a millennium, just someone with a good attitude, researched and how I could add value. I didn't lose any pay, and was promoted over my last position. Part of why you may feel it's BS and your challenging those who have happily moved forward could be the cynicism and or mocking of the genuineness that goes into networking. A ton of folks have been downsized, many over 50, and I'm living proof with many others I know that are doing quite well and didn't miss a beat, continuing to learn and collaborate and be part of a team. Verizon is one of many corporations out there that pay well. No shame in being riffed. There is shame in not embracing new opportunities and you may find yourself smiling each day you get up. Attitude is very important.
There is life after Verizon and networking with many other RIFd employees is a great asset, as many landed in great jobs. You sound bitter, which is understandable and I'm not a millennium, just someone with a good attitude, researched and how I could add value. I didn't lose any pay, and was promoted over my last position. Part of why you may feel it's BS and your challenging those who have happily moved forward could be the cynicism and or mocking of the genuineness that goes into networking. A ton of folks have been downsized, many over 50, and I'm living proof with many others I know that are doing quite well and didn't miss a beat, continuing to learn and collaborate and be part of a team. Verizon is one of many corporations out there that pay well. No shame in being riffed. There is shame in not embracing new opportunities and you may find yourself smiling each day you get up. Attitude is very important.
Networking is Millennial BS. If you are not an outgoing person or have never gone out after work during happy hour for drinks and feel ok proactively engaging in conversation with a compete stranger(s). Networking will not work for you. Also why network with people who have also been RIF'd and unemployed? They certainly are not going to help you get a job before helping themselves or a relative. Get real. Do it the old fashioned way even if you start at the bottom. I did find a job on Indeed.Com. Lastly take with a grain of salt some of the BS-ers on this site saying they found a job making 2 and 3 times more than Verizon. VZ pays very well. there are 24 million people out of work across USA, IT jobs are outsourced to India and China. Vanilla Telecom work is done but former ATT, Comcast, workers..there is not longer a "niche"
RIFs can be devastating, but they can also provide new and greater opportunities. LinkedIn is the best resource. Also found Indeed to have great listings. Found another job - due to experience got a promotion two levels up. The new company valued wisdom and experience.
Be sure to research companies and what employees say about the culture. Verizon doesn't value multi-generations, find a company that does. Best wishes to everyone!
I hope this board becomes less toxic and can be encouraging for ex-VZ employees!
Your best online resources are LinkedIn. Your best resource is you, networking, having confidence and a positive how you can add value to your next great employer and team.
You also need a good resume and to realize your skills are worth a lot in the workplace. Change energized me and I had nearly 30 years.
Found an even better one where valued and was promoted. Verizon taught me great skills and paid gor advanced graduate degrees. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Keep the faith.