TikTok gets me in trouble, like many people out there I spend way too much time on that stupid app (Currently addicted to the clips from The Juble Morning Show). But lately I have seen a lot of videos on the site of people posting ether the act of them getting laid-off, or the fallout of being laid-off. Which leads into "How could they do this to me?", "They do not care about us!" and "I do not know what I am going to do now..."
Getting laid-off sucks big time, I get it. I have been laid-off, it doesn't feel good and yes its scary... But the last thing I would do is post a video of why XYZ Company sucks because they let me go. Something I learned long ago, is that at the end of the day you are just a number on a spreadsheet. The sooner you learn that, the better off you'll be. I know, that sounds harsh but as soon as you get it and understand it, it can be powerful. Lets just face it, Companies only care about money. I am not going to vilify them for it, the pure reason for starting a business or corporation is to make money. I know there are companies out there that say that they care about their employees and customers. While that may or may not be true, that does not out-weigh the company's need to make money for its owner and/or investors/shareholders. ANYONE that tells you that you are more importen then the bottom line, they are lying or they are terrible business owners and you DO NOT want to work for them because they wont be in business very long... How do I know?... I was a terrible business owner! That is a story for another day... But lets just say, I think I cared too much.
So, I am not going to say that I am Layoff Proof or that I would not struggle to get a job after being laid off... But, I will share with you how I conduct myself to better position myself for the posibility of it happening.
- I set goals for myself: When I got hired with my current company, I remember my mother saying to me "Oh honey, you can retire there... You made it..." and my response to her was "No, I'll give it three years..." She did not like that answer. I was not saying, three years and I'm out... But at this point I had already had my "You are just a number on a spreadsheet" moment and my views on employment changed, I had learned that I have to be my own boss and that I have goals for myself. So, now I start by giving a Company three years for my life and time, and everytime I get a raise (outside of a merit increase), a promotion or position change (that helps and builds me up). I reset that clock. It turns out that the Company I currently work for (the company my mother was referring to) has been pretty great as I have been with them for 10 years at this point.
- Go above and beyond: I do my job, yes that is what the company expects me to do... But I do more than just my job... For example, the past two years I have been the top individual volunteer for hours spent out side of work volunteering for the community while representing the company. In side of workplace, I step up for anything I can help with and am always open for new expirences... I am not beyond taking out the trash. It takes a team and I am part of the team.
- Stay polished and stay up-to-date: I am lucky that I picked a career that requires me to learn constantly, it really is never ending. But, it is also important that you do not lose what you already know, so you need to keep it polished... For example, I once needed to know damn near everything about computer hardware for my job. In my current position, I never even touch a screwdriver... But I keep on top of that crap, because (a) It helps me be better at my job and help others in lower level positions as I know the foundational stuff. (b) If I lose my job, I can find something or start my own thing. Do anything I need to hit the ground running.
- Keep Your Resume Up-to-date and your package ready: I continue to pay for LinkedIn and keep it updated as well as a physical package. I keep it locked and loaded, ready to go... I am getting ready to actually revamp it very soon, just to stay with the times.
- DON'T BURN BRIDGES: You got laid-off, yeah it sucks... But posting a video or calling out said company/managers/bosses will kill any chance of returning if things turn around for the company or if someone has you in mind to fill a different position in the company. Or maybe the boss/manager also hast to find a new job as well and in their new job they have position that they think that you would be perfect for... It's a small world and the web/tiktok/youtube makes it way smaller, burning bridges is not great. And future employers will see it, and it doesn't look good no matter how you spin it.
Now don't get me wrong, I am no fool. There are terrible companies and terrible leaders out there. CEO's are made the villain and some of them are villains, it also is part of the position to be made the hero or the villain. So, I will go on the record stating that a CEO is the Captain of the Ship, if the ship is sinking or the company is failing then the CEO should go down with the ship. Not saying that they should lose what have already, but their pay should reflect that of the performance of the company and the golden parachute should not be a thing. And I am ok with the adverse being true, if the company is doing great the CEO should get that money. That being said, you dragging them or the company over coals, doesn't hurt them. It only hurts you.