After 29+ years, and having survived through five CIOs and any number of reorganizations in our corporate IT group, I was notified on Wednesday that … I've been reorganized out of a job.
Sigh.
I did have a bit of warning the day before — an evening calendar appointment from my boss saying he was (surprise!) going to be in the office the next day and I needed to be, too, with a conference room listed and our HR rep CCed in. Having been the guy arranging this sort of thing in the past (the all too recent past, in fact), I had a more than a clue what was coming.
To be fair, my boss did it in person, not by phone. And it wasn't a "two weeks in lieu of notice, here's a box to put your cube stuff into" kind of deal; I get to work (for money) for another four weeks, wrapping some things up, and there's some outplacement assistance, etc. But it still, obviously, sucks (and has already canceled a trip we were going to be taking at the end of the month, dagnabbit).
I've already started the wheels rolling — updating the resume, reaching out to some folk to confirm I can do the reference thing, etc. I'll need to resurrect my moribund LinkedIn account, because, damn, everyone has a LinkedIn account for job hunting these days. I'm making to-do lists, as well as beginning to work on them. Progress!
I'm daunted by the prospect of a job hunt, though I'm assured by many people that with my talents and experience I should be able to find something good (as the old Imposter Syndrome smirks from the darker recess of my subconscious). We're in decent shape, money-wise (though it's just as well that the kitchen project was already 97% completed when this dropped), Margie still has her job (and our benefits), and I have some ideas on ways to restrain some of our expenses, just in case this stretches out.
I will probably talk more about what led to all of this at some point, but not at the moment. It gets into somewhat company stuff I don't presently feel comfortable discussing online, and discretion about such matters is something I take seriously (glancing about at any future employer who might stumble across this post).
I will, though, probably natter about the upcoming adventure as I go along, just because that's how I process this kind of thing. So you've been warned.
For the time being, though … well, I'll just hold my head erect and whistle a happy tune. Because that's cheaper than my preferred brand gin. 🙂
Buddy, can you spare a Lifehacker URL on resume design?
Very sorry to hear that, Dave.
Best of luck and keep in mind the old "When one door closes, another opens" adage.
Well that sucks big time. You'd think they'd offer you a retirement option.
Best wishes to you during this Time of Weirdness.
Ugh. Much suck indeed. Here's hoping the next job will be way better anyway!
Oh, man! Good luck, and if I hear of anything you might be interested in, I will let you know. What are the limits of your willingness to commute?
Oh dear. Been there, and always managed to find a good job in a reasonable amount of time.
That said, feel free to start a go-fund-me for gin. I'd donate. It's hardly fair to have to give up the basic requirements of life just because some corporation has messed up.
+Mark Means Thanks, Mark. Lots of old adages out there — trying to bear the optimistic ones in mind. 😉
+Stan Pedzick Well, I'm not quite that advanced in years yet.
+Lorne Lehrer "Time of Weirdness." That's a good phrase for it.
+David Newman Well, I'm really hoping that between downtown and the Tech Center I can find a decent commute. I'd rather not do something north of downtown … at least at this point.
Thanks!
+Paula Moore I will definitely keep that in mind … 🙂
Oh Noes!!1!
(In the many years I’ve read your blog, I have noticed your discretion about work matters. To this day I have no idea what company you even work for, or what industry it is. Just sayin’.)
Well, quick recovery!
Don't forget to go here – https://myui.coworkforce.com/LogIn – and get your stuff entered in and the wheels turning – much better to get your name in the system and not need it in a month than need it done in a month and not have your name in the system.
It's not terribly onerous and (as someone who's been doing the job hunt thing long enough the benefits have run out) I'll say the payments really do help.
+Dave Hill our last f-up of an IT manager was given a "Retirement Opportunity" instead of firing him and he was mid 50s.
+Stan Pedzick Gawd I hate when that happens. He must have had the goods on someone in the hierarchy.
WOW. Hugs.
+Paula Moore nope, that is pretty much the standard thing the company does with folks they are trying to move out the door that are 55+.
Sorry to hear that Dave. Hang in there.
My sympathies, Dave. I pray you'll find a rewarding source of income soon!
Sorry about that..been there and got the T shirt..this too will pass. Remember that you have cobra insurance or you can enroll with Obama Care. That may be less costly
Aww, that sucks. My sympathies, Dave. We don't really have anything in your neck of the woods, but please feel free to throw a resume my way and I'll look it over.
As someone who has been through this many times, though not with your level of talent and experience and time invested, I can relate. If you need anything, even if it's just a sympathetic ear to listen to you vent, you know where I am and you have easy access to my phone number. Somehow I managed to survive my times without work, I'm confident you're not going to be idle for long.
On the plus side, this should make doing more podcasts a bit easier for a little while.
Ugh. That sucketh mucheth. As one of the few people with the fading experience of having the same job for 20+ years, I feel for ya. I constantly have it in the back of my mind that the hammer is coming for me soon. I'll be selfishly watching your journey as a likely preview of my own. Good luck, sir!
Have you ever thought about taking the risk and become an entrepreneur? I do not know what your skills set or personality but it may suit you.
Dammit!
Well, surviving and thriving through all those reorganizations should look pretty darned good on the resume.
Hang in there. (It’s too early to come up with something less trite, apparently.)
Even when you suspect what’s coming, it still sucks. I know. I’m absolutely sure things will work out for you!
+Doyce Testerman Good idea, Doyce — thanks.
+Stan Pedzick Well, I am just shy of being mid-50s, so that may make a difference.
+Barrett McCarstle Thanks.
+Mr Bill SC Thanks, Bill. Fortunately, my wife is employed and has great medical coverage, so that part of the equation, at least, is not an issue as of yet.
+Colm Buckley Thanks, Colm. I know there's some of your employer's presence in the Denver metro area, but not much. On the other hand, I telecommute well. 🙂
+Les Jenkins Ha! Yeah, work-related stuff hasn't generally been what's in the way of my podcasting. 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement, and if I need an ear to bend, I know where yours is. (Which sounds a bit creepy, now that I type it.)
+Solonor Rasreth The question of age discrimination (which length of service is a proxy for, and which usually in turn applies to pay / size of savings in reorganization) is certainly something that's come to mind and up in discussions. Further deponent sayeth not.
+Mr Bill SC On my lengthy list of Things to Do this weekend is my "What do I want to be when I grow up?" mulling; more directly, what sort of job do I want to pursue, and/or do I want to make a significant mid-course change.
I am not temperamentally cut out to be an entrepreneur in the conventional sense, but I have given a moment's fleeting thought as to how this could provide huge opportunities to focus on my writing. Which it actually does regardless of whether I'm also pursuing an 8-5 job. So … we'll see.
(Albeit, my writing is of the "Don't give up your day job" level, which I guess I should take pretty literally right now. 🙂 )
So sorry to hear about this, ***Dave. Maybe I should teach you some of my, ahem, self employment skills… 😉
+Dave Hill best wishes on your treck. What ever you find remember that is just what you have to do write the great American novel..sell it for a lot ofmoney and get filthy rich
+The Bruce, Mile High I should probably stick with the writing instead. Seems a safer bet. 😉
Thanks.