Comments on: 14 things to do if you are laid off from a tech job

It's a setback, but also an opportunity. Webware's Rafe Needleman and company have some suggestions on using all your new free time.

[inachu]

easy 14 steps for most americans is.
1. find work so you are not hungry.
2. goto 1.

[rajdeepj]

Great tips Rafe! I especially agree with the ones that improve some personal aspects of your character. Having been through 2 layfoffs in the past I can attest to the feeling where one feels they have to become useful right away by finding another job, typically at a salary that undervalues one's skills. It's important to be determined yet patient. I personally took this opportunity to start exercising & working on my own startup which has helped me develop skills outside of my typical technological comfort zone.

[Penguinisto]

Back in 2005, I manged to do that nicely, for about 6 months (Utah's tech industry at the time was a bit weird and pretty small - which prolly explains why I moved up here to Oregon :) ).

I basically picked up one long series of projects with a company whom I knew very well - the CEO and I were quite friendly, so I talked him into taking me on once I found out that the college I was teaching at @ the time was laying me (and about nine others) off. The money was short during this time (they were a small company), so I had to watch my finances tightly. That said, it was like joining a small but vibrant family, and there are times when I still miss being around 'em. I managed to learn quite a bit of Qt programming (which in all honesty is a blast to write in), polished a skill that I actually enjoyed (I wound up writing the user manual for the app I helped code on), and actually got paid for doing 3D/CG artwork (the manual needed artwork in addition to what was contributed, so...) Funny thing was, during that six months I did nothing in the way of Systems Administration, which is basically what my whole career was (and is) based around. OTOH, it helped me expand all of the ancillary skills that had either lain dormant, or that I had rarely if ever used - this in turn opened things up greatly for me, and made me far more well-rounded.

At the same time I telecommuted 3 days a week during that six months - this gave me time to sit back and relax, to spend time where it really needed to be spent, and it helped me to ease myself back into the industry at large after six years of academia.

BTW, Rafe: Working on an open-source project does give one other huge benefit - it provides an avenue for a programmer to show work product to future employers without violating NDA's. ;)

/P

[okcodemonkey]

I think one of the options that should be listed is to attend local, and semi-local user group meetings. These events are usually free, include free meals, and have some nice prizes that may make learning a new language easier (software, books, etc...). Plus you will network with people who may have job opportunities that you are right for. I find that these events are great for finding your next opportunity.

Jason Townsend
President
Bartlesville .NET User Group
http://www.bdnug.com

[dragonbite]

When I was unemployed about 3 years ago I told myself I wasn't going to even THINK about looking for a job for about a week. This gave me time to get over the mental roller-coaster and self-defeating doubt.

By the time I started, my mind was already ready for the task of looking, promoting and I had a clearer idea of an attack plan.

Within a month, I was hired and at a 35% increase in pay to boot!

[RobertinOhio]

This is one of the most WORTHLESS lists I have ever seen. How about getting employment and sending out resumes? That would be a likely #1 thing to do.

Maybe some of the rest of the list might be ok, but things like Linkin and other sites need to be CONSTANTLY current, along with new skills. Trying to pick up a few extra bucks here and there is good but nothing on your list will result in employment elsewhere.

[RobertinOhio]

Sorry...I meant getting onto "UNEMPLOYMENT". Employment is obviously the goal, but this list will help you very little in that regard.

[Penguinisto]

If you simply jump at the first job offer that comes along after getting laid off, odds are good that one of the following conditions will be true:

* You'll end up getting paid less, which means it'll be harder to recoup your previous salary once times get better.
* The corporate culture will suck.
* You'll be treated not as a colleague, but as a mere commodity.

During that time period I wrote about further up, I turned down at least half a dozen FTE offers due to bad/lacking corporate culture, insufficient pay/benefits, or an otherwise lousy environment. Sure, my pay was still low from the projects I was doing, but: the work was easy, the pay sure beat unemployment, and it gave me time to go to interviews and etc.

It allowed me the luxury of not being/appearing desperate at interviews, boosted my confidence and abilities, and allowed me to interview the prospective employer as much as that employer had interviewed me.

[alankdkd]

I agree. Good comment.

[JonathanPDX]

On the surface it may not seem like a very good or very useful list, however, getting laid off for many people is a huge blow to one's self-esteem. Many times they become the victims of depression without realizing it. Learning how to keep active and to keep your mind busy while engaging in looking for a new job is often hard work and takes a tremendous effort, especially if you have not been in the job market for a long time.

While collecting unemployment and sending out resumes is a a normal activity for most who are newly out of work, learning HOW to look for work and what KIND of resume and how to tailor it toward a potential employer is vital.

[michaelo1966]

Rafe Needleman who endorsed George Bush over tech-head/Nobel Peace Price winner Al Gore as most likely to maintain peace and prosperity? Take whatever advice Rafe suggests and do the opposite. [And no Rafe -- the fact it cost you your magazine isn't enough to get us to move on.]

[ittesi259]

You mean tech-head "I invented the Internet" Al Gore? The most hypocritical green advocate on the planet who talks te talk but spews carbon out his ass while he does it?

[iff2mastamatt]

George Bush ain't that bad of a guy, bub. Al Gore, well, he's a bit crazy over his "carbon control" ideas. He doesn't really make a lot of sense, but most liberals tend not to.

[Zeeshan47]

you know, stuff like this should be in debate textbooks, if there ever were such a thing. could there be any more of a classic case of ad hominem? it's absolutely pathetic that you think you could bring that argument in here and expect people to fall in line with your rafe-hating ways as they have with bush.

[ranch2k]

15. Try job agencies and find a short / long term contract.

[humanssssss]

I suggest people not look for a job but find an area where there's a lot of demand and profit, and enter said area.

A job is not the way to make money in the future. The future is about making money any means necessary to survive. Meaning, if selling groceries make money, you should go do it. Most people are so fixated at computer job that when this market isn't demanded anymore, they become delusional. Happens during the dot-com bust. People think they can get job in computer but most adjusted quite well into job as real estate agent/broker.

People need to learn how to get out of their comfort zone and do things that make money not do things they are comfortable with.

[Dr_Zinj]

There is always work available to be done, and people willing to hire anyone to do the job.

They might not pay much, but every little bit helps stretch your income until you can find better.

[oldguytoo]

Open a record store.

[Get_Bent]

15. Watch your bank account balance steadily drop since you now have no source of income.

[inachu]

So sad that nobody wants to hire full time anymore.
Been on the east coast over 15 years and not company wants an IT person full time.

[iff2mastamatt]

One of my father's friends was laid off at a chem company about 15 years ago. Best thing that ever happened to him. He started his own company and now makes 2.5 million each year. Ain't to bad......

[SJ2571]

15 years ago that was possible. Not in today's economy.

[Sithembewena]

Wonderful article! A generous dose of humor, and useful tips all round. I dont live in the US, but many of these points apply to anybody in the tech field.

[cojafoji]

This has got to be one of the DUMBEST lists I have EVER read. People should conserve money, and tighten the belt when they get laid off. There is NEVER a 100% chance that they'll get rehired any time soon, especially in this economy...

Anyone who takes this advice is an idiot.

[JoshBV]

Agree with #14 and if your going to do so focus on building a company that does one of three things:

1) Help people/businesses make money
2) Help people/businesses save money
3) Help people/businesses access money

Those are the pain points for the next few years. Forget the facebook apps. Full blog post about it here:
http://snurl.com/4na3m

Also, as a co-founder of a start-up I will say #2 is the best advice as well. We are doing nothing but looking for talented people and the economy has not really changed our business plan much.

[ProgAnal]

Some great suggestion, and... some very DUMB ones IMHO, like learn to ride a motorcycle. Motorcycling is an activity that requires you to be properly equipped with the correct gear - helmet, gloves, a quality jacket, etc. If you are learning you should take an MSF class to learn to ride. And let's see... Oh yes, you will need a MOTORCYCLE. All of which cost MONEY - something you should be conserving during your period of unemployment. Don't follow this dumb piece advice please. You could end up in the hospital and unemployed...

[JonathanPDX]

Or dead.

[mistrydv]

Great tips. I have been reading many article and majority of them were also talking about starting a company. Personally I think job can pay your bills and might make you reach but doing what you are passionate about and doing what you love (by having your own business) will make you wealthy. There are many interesting comments above regarding building your own company and I also support that thought. Thanks Rafe for nice article.

[nbonthapally]

Awesome !!! I liked these .. I am a student and I could use these suggestions when I am at leisure