I am an avid listener of Manager Tools, a wonderful podcast. If you haven’t ever listened to it, I highly recommend it for anyone in, or aspiring to a management and/or project management role.
The guys recently took a piece of their premium content and made it available to everyone. It’s specifically about preparing for and dealing with layoffs, and they set up a special page titled “Help WIth Recent Market Turmoil”. [Editors note: this link seems to be down as of 5/10/2009]
I have been laid off myself a total of 5 times since 2001, and have learned a great deal from those experiences. The first time, I had a very hard time dealing with the emotions involved, and trying to get by without having prepared for this risk financially. Please, if you don’t feel prepared for this risk should it happen, check out this resource for your own benefit.
Risk management is always a good idea, whether in your projects or in your career.
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Josh,
Why not view the layoff as an OPPORTUNITY? Somewhat parallel to you, I started work in construction in New England, which means seasonal work. For many years, I actually worked for a company only 9 or 10 months out of the year.
However, the period when I was layed off, opened the door to experiment with being an entrepreneur, and at some point, the reputation I built (as a carpenter) during the time I was layed off, evolved into a full time job.
Bottom line- Given that Project Managemet, by definition, has a beginning and an end, perhaps we need more people willing to take a more entrepreneurial approach, looking for engagements or “gigs” (project related work) rather than “a job”?
BR,
Dr. PDG, getting sleepy in Jakarta
Hi Josh,
Why not view the layoff as an OPPORTUNITY? Somewhat parallel to you, I started work in construction in New England, which means seasonal work. For many years, I actually worked for a company only 9 or 10 months out of the year.
However, the period when I was layed off, opened the door to experiment with being an entrepreneur, and at some point, the reputation I built (as a carpenter) during the time I was layed off, evolved into a full time job.
Bottom line- Given that Project Managemet, by definition, has a beginning and an end, perhaps we need more people willing to take a more entrepreneurial approach, looking for engagements or “gigs” (project related work) rather than “a job”?
BR,
Dr. PDG, getting sleepy in Jakarta
Great comment, and I fully agree. The first time I was down-sized, it took me awhile to see it as an opportunity. Eventually, I did. Since them my outlook on this has changed dramatically.
If you manage the risk (or certainty) of being let go well, you can really turn it into a boon for your career by being prepared.
Looking at yourself as a free agent entrepreneur is healthy I think, even if you are a wheel in the cog of a multi-national. Preparedness to seize opportunities is not disloyalty.
Josh
Great comment, and I fully agree. The first time I was down-sized, it took me awhile to see it as an opportunity. Eventually, I did. Since them my outlook on this has changed dramatically.
If you manage the risk (or certainty) of being let go well, you can really turn it into a boon for your career by being prepared.
Looking at yourself as a free agent entrepreneur is healthy I think, even if you are a wheel in the cog of a multi-national. Preparedness to seize opportunities is not disloyalty.
Josh
Josh
Just finished listening to this set of podcasts. I am 60 days out from the end of a contract. I needed this. I really like their approach.
Josh
Just finished listening to this set of podcasts. I am 60 days out from the end of a contract. I needed this. I really like their approach.
To Josh & All Interested
As a corporate layoff victim (twice now), I still pursue and persist within my staffing and recruiting industry. I suggest you contact me for Project Management job opportunities in Northern CA. If you have experience in healthcare and life sciences, please call or e-mail Nicole Silver (408) 348-3367 Voice, E-mail: NSilver@Calance.com
All my best!
To Josh & All Interested
As a corporate layoff victim (twice now), I still pursue and persist within my staffing and recruiting industry. I suggest you contact me for Project Management job opportunities in Northern CA. If you have experience in healthcare and life sciences, please call or e-mail Nicole Silver (408) 348-3367 Voice, E-mail: NSilver@Calance.com
All my best!
Josh,
Great topic, and timely post. I will check out the resource.
I have had 2 periods where I was pretty much out of work for an extended period, and overall it was not fun! I think the free agent idea is good, but the reality is that if you are selling your time and skills, then when you have actually sold them, you need to deliver them, and it is difficult to put a lot of effort into selling them further. I tyhink it is great if a person feels that they are so well connected that they could jump to another position or contract at a moment’s notice, but often when that moment comes, those positions have also dried up!
Anotehr way to be more entrepreneurial is to set up a part-time business in a similar or even entirely different area. One approach is to make that business somewhat counter-cyclical to your current occupation.
Just some thoughts.
___________________
John Reiling, PMP
Project Management Training Online
Josh,
Great topic, and timely post. I will check out the resource.
I have had 2 periods where I was pretty much out of work for an extended period, and overall it was not fun! I think the free agent idea is good, but the reality is that if you are selling your time and skills, then when you have actually sold them, you need to deliver them, and it is difficult to put a lot of effort into selling them further. I tyhink it is great if a person feels that they are so well connected that they could jump to another position or contract at a moment’s notice, but often when that moment comes, those positions have also dried up!
Anotehr way to be more entrepreneurial is to set up a part-time business in a similar or even entirely different area. One approach is to make that business somewhat counter-cyclical to your current occupation.
Just some thoughts.
___________________
John Reiling, PMP
Project Management Training Online