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Layoff Advice

As I said on my facebook, I'm not too proud to work anywhere. I will look it over.

I know a lot of people are telling me to be selective, but my dad always told me the best time to look for a job, is when you have on. Some monies is better than no monies.
I dont know what type if skills or experience you have but i think if you go to dannons website (dannon.com) there are probablu some jobs in management available right now along with lower positions like warehouse and production
 
Keep an eye on all of the job sites, but keep in mind many of them have the same jobs.
Also watch for the recruiters that post fake jobs to get you to sign up with them in case they run across a job.
There are different methods with the recruiters, some people use them all, but risk having multiple recruiters submit you for the same job.
Other people say to just use one, maybe 2.

hotjobs.com
careerbuilder.com
monster.com
and there are more...

I liked www.indeed.com because most of the jobs on the others I could find at indeed in one place.

Use the utah government site, and the lds jobs site too. This is a lot of work to update your profile on them but may be worth it.
Some jobs are only on the company websites, so you may want to sign up on the larger companies sites and check them every few days or so.
It's a numbers game.

What is huge is who you know. If you can get people you know to refer you it can be enough to get your foot in the door for an interview, then it's up to you.

Tailor your resume to the job you are looking for. A resume for someone in graphics is going to be much different than a resume for someone in sales, etc.
Lots of places put resumes though an electronic filter that kicks out all that don't have enough of the keywords they are looking for which means you don't even get a shot at an actual person looking at it, so the keyword advice from OB can be key. If possible have your resume say a lot with as few words as possible. One trick I've seen on the electronic filters is to format a bunch of key words to white so they are not seen on the resume, but the electronic filter program will still note the words. I heard about this, but don't know for sure how effective it is.

That's all I have for now.

Good luck.
 
Keep an eye on all of the job sites, but keep in mind many of them have the same jobs.
Also watch for the recruiters that post fake jobs to get you to sign up with them in case they run across a job.
There are different methods with the recruiters, some people use them all, but risk having multiple recruiters submit you for the same job.
Other people say to just use one, maybe 2.

hotjobs.com
careerbuilder.com
monster.com
and there are more...

I liked www.indeed.com because most of the jobs on the others I could find at indeed in one place.

Use the utah government site, and the lds jobs site too. This is a lot of work to update your profile on them but may be worth it.
Some jobs are only on the company websites, so you may want to sign up on the larger companies sites and check them every few days or so.
It's a numbers game.

What is huge is who you know. If you can get people you know to refer you it can be enough to get your foot in the door for an interview, then it's up to you.

Tailor your resume to the job you are looking for. A resume for someone in graphics is going to be much different than a resume for someone in sales, etc.
Lots of places put resumes though an electronic filter that kicks out all that don't have enough of the keywords they are looking for which means you don't even get a shot at an actual person looking at it, so the keyword advice from OB can be key. If possible have your resume say a lot with as few words as possible. One trick I've seen on the electronic filters is to format a bunch of key words to white so they are not seen on the resume, but the electronic filter program will still note the words. I heard about this, but don't know for sure how effective it is.

That's all I have for now.

Good luck.

Bad idea. Not all formatting stays the same from program to program. I have seen resumes with this "trick" and it immediately turns me off as a hiring manager. It isn't too hard to show your experience within the framework of the resume AND hit the keywords. The first thing I thought when I saw a resume like this was wow this guy is either not very creative, too creative, or just doesn't want to put the work into a decent resume in the first place.

However, I saw one where someone had a "keyword" section, kind of like at the bottom of a youtube video, and he listed all the keywords in black and white right at the end, while making sure he used them or some version of them in the context of the resume. Pretty cool actually.
 
Bad idea. Not all formatting stays the same from program to program. I have seen resumes with this "trick" and it immediately turns me off as a hiring manager. It isn't too hard to show your experience within the framework of the resume AND hit the keywords. The first thing I thought when I saw a resume like this was wow this guy is either not very creative, too creative, or just doesn't want to put the work into a decent resume in the first place.

However, I saw one where someone had a "keyword" section, kind of like at the bottom of a youtube video, and he listed all the keywords in black and white right at the end, while making sure he used them or some version of them in the context of the resume. Pretty cool actually.

Nice idea of listing them at the bottom. I never tried the white font thing, but started thinking about it when it seemed my resume never made it to an actual human hand.
 
Nice idea of listing them at the bottom. I never tried the white font thing, but started thinking about it when it seemed my resume never made it to an actual human hand.

The worst one I saw was some guy did this presumably in white text but our programs that filter and reprint the thing had them all in black and they were scattered all around the page, in margins, in between sentences, just randomly in every bit of white space the dude could find. It was kind of funny and pathetic all at once. And the resume wasn't very good anyway.
 
To anyone who doesn't have a highly technical skill and enjoys light to heavy labor: look into heavy industry, mining, and municipalities or muni-like businesses. The operators at the refineries are making over $100k (some are an IQ point short of retarded too), people in mining and gas make very livable wages, I've visited many muni power plants and haven't met a single person who doesn't love their job --- the same goes for the landfills if you can imagine that. The large scale and peaker power plants are very good jobs too -- you have to start at the bottom, but it's generally a solid wage and you have a **** ton of advancement opportunity just like all the rest I listed.

Most people in Utah can make, by themselves, well above the national average family income if they know where to look. We have a lot of opportunity for people all across the skill spectrum.
 
Lots of good ideas here. The one thing I would add is to consider a long-term career change, possibly through additional education. In 2011 I was working in advertising (for 6 years) and making good money for a Newspaper/Website. With the decline of Newspapers across the country I know my time was limited and I decided to make a change into accounting. I left my job and found something stable with tuition reimbursement (that paid a lot less). I have since finished my Masters in Accounting and have 2/4 parts of the CPA exam completed. Since starting the exam process I've had recruiters call me about jobs once all parts of the exam are complete.

I'm not suggesting accounting, just that sometimes when our careers turn south it is a good time to reflect on the long-term prospects of our field. If there were just major layoffs at your company, it may be indicative of industry decline. There are a lot of studies out there suggesting career fields that are expected to grow substantially over the next 20 years.

Also, the President recently addressed the nation regarding the country's need for additional people to go into Engineering, Computer Science, and Network Security. Companies are importing non-citizens to handle these high-paying jobs

I do agree that it's much easier to find a job when you currently have one, so that's your first priority.

Best of luck and keep us all posted on how the search is going!!!
 
Post your resume here honestly... Sounds like people can help. It's about people you know and your professional network most!
 
On Sunday morning, I received an email from my company. The email directed me to attend a mandatory conference call on Monday morning. During the conference call, which was scripted, 250 employees got laid-off out of no where. I don't want to go into much details other than that cause it's not going to change things. What I would like though is advice. Has this happened to you before? What did you do? What would you have done differently?

The last few days I've been submitted my resume like crazy (only heard back from one company and it was a, "position is filled" email.) I'm going to get paid by my company until the 18th of July and they'll give me a small severance package then too.

I'm kinda stressed out. I have bills, a mortgage, responsibilities, a car payment, and nothing in savings to get me by for a a few months (I'm not a crazy spender, just didn't make bank.) Does this pretty much mean I'm screwed and gonna lose everything? lol

A lot of great, great kind and straightforward advice in this thread.

Yes, file for unemployment. There is no shame in that. You pay into it as do your employers. So take advantage because that's what it's there for. I don't know anything about the church helping you out but if it's an option, do it.

I don't know if you've ever been laid off before but it's definitely or should be a life changing experience. In more than one way. Both positive and negative. Unfortunately, mass layoffs are a sign of the times and for many, it catches them at the wrong time...I mean, is there ever a right time to get fired?

Anyway, like others have stated in respect to your bills, I would call all of your creditors and make them aware of your situation. I would also, immediately change the plans on your phones or cancel the family phones if you have more than one. No need to be paying for these. I'd also turn off or put on hold your TV service. I know Directv will allow you to turn off the service for a few months instead of canceling it. You have to lower your monthly nut. Immediately.

You said you're stressed out. You should be. I'm going to write some other stuff that you should read once you get yourself through the situation and find a job. But only read it after you've gotten the new job.


















It's time to grow up. I think from what I remember, you're in your 30's. The idea that you don't have any money in savings is ludicrous. Especially if you are a home owner and have a family. They say for people that have a mortgage and no savings, you are one catastrophic event from being on the street. This is wholly the reality. Whether that event is losing your job or needing a new roof or your car needing a new transmission, it doesn't matter, one event can change everything.

Once settled in the new gig, you should get yourself Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover. It's a book that changed my life for the better. Good job on getting that new job.
 
To be fair lots of things can contribute to low/no savings. Catastrophes comes in all shapes and sizes and not always alone.
 
Lots of good ideas here. The one thing I would add is to consider a long-term career change, possibly through additional education. In 2011 I was working in advertising (for 6 years) and making good money for a Newspaper/Website. With the decline of Newspapers across the country I know my time was limited and I decided to make a change into accounting. I left my job and found something stable with tuition reimbursement (that paid a lot less). I have since finished my Masters in Accounting and have 2/4 parts of the CPA exam completed. Since starting the exam process I've had recruiters call me about jobs once all parts of the exam are complete.

I'm not suggesting accounting, just that sometimes when our careers turn south it is a good time to reflect on the long-term prospects of our field. If there were just major layoffs at your company, it may be indicative of industry decline. There are a lot of studies out there suggesting career fields that are expected to grow substantially over the next 20 years.

Also, the President recently addressed the nation regarding the country's need for additional people to go into Engineering, Computer Science, and Network Security. Companies are importing non-citizens to handle these high-paying jobs

I do agree that it's much easier to find a job when you currently have one, so that's your first priority.

Best of luck and keep us all posted on how the search is going!!!

Good point Assassin

I'm currently doing this. Starting school this fall. Sometimes it's best to start over.4 years is a short period of time and 20-25k(resident tuition) isn't a lot of money.The fact that you were laid off tells me that you should definitely consider the future health of the market for your skills.

If you're stressed about your mortgage it might not be the worst idea to downsize it. There are always deals for a shrewd buyer. You may have to do some painting or reseed a neglected lawn but there are definitely deals for those motivated to find them.
 
A lot of great, great kind and straightforward advice in this thread.

Yes, file for unemployment. There is no shame in that. You pay into it as do your employers. So take advantage because that's what it's there for. I don't know anything about the church helping you out but if it's an option, do it.

I don't know if you've ever been laid off before but it's definitely or should be a life changing experience. In more than one way. Both positive and negative. Unfortunately, mass layoffs are a sign of the times and for many, it catches them at the wrong time...I mean, is there ever a right time to get fired?

Anyway, like others have stated in respect to your bills, I would call all of your creditors and make them aware of your situation. I would also, immediately change the plans on your phones or cancel the family phones if you have more than one. No need to be paying for these. I'd also turn off or put on hold your TV service. I know Directv will allow you to turn off the service for a few months instead of canceling it. You have to lower your monthly nut. Immediately.

You said you're stressed out. You should be. I'm going to write some other stuff that you should read once you get yourself through the situation and find a job. But only read it after you've gotten the new job.


















It's time to grow up. I think from what I remember, you're in your 30's. The idea that you don't have any money in savings is ludicrous. Especially if you are a home owner and have a family. They say for people that have a mortgage and no savings, you are one catastrophic event from being on the street. This is wholly the reality. Whether that event is losing your job or needing a new roof or your car needing a new transmission, it doesn't matter, one event can change everything.

Once settled in the new gig, you should get yourself Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover. It's a book that changed my life for the better. Good job on getting that new job.
Says the dude with no kids. It's soooooooo hard to save with kids. He's a single dad, having to pay child support and ish like that.
Granted, he could probably do better, but who couldn't?
 
a Month ago we lost 65% of our guys now we only have 11 left. Best advice I can offer is (may have been well pointed out) customize your resume to each job you apply for keep a positive attitude as much as possible as that helps in interviews. Im not sure how big Linkedin is there but Ive heard of friends being offered and picking up jobs via linkedin, don't underestimate it some say thats the next big recruiters tool for hiring.
Even if you cannot pickup an ideal job see if you can just get one that pays the bills, you can then keep applying for the job you want while you at minimum put food on the table and pay your bills.
Good Luck with it mate, keep your chin up
 
Says the dude with no kids. It's soooooooo hard to save with kids. He's a single dad, having to pay child support and ish like that.
Granted, he could probably do better, but who couldn't?

Yeah I had like 10 grand in savings last year. Feeling pretty good we decided to have a 2nd child. My balance fell to a couple hundred bucks way too god damn fast. My head is still spinning.
 
Wow, VinylTool is really in rare form. What an incredible waste of cyber space your ****ty opinion just took up. Your ignorance is only outdone by your off putting attitude toward others you deem less than you.

Eat a fat one, Rich.
 
I'll teach you how to live off the land, Archie. It's easier than it looks. Like this? This is my neighbors wifi.


Good luck though man, seriously.
 
It's time to grow up. I think from what I remember, you're in your 30's. The idea that you don't have any money in savings is ludicrous. Especially if you are a home owner and have a family. They say for people that have a mortgage and no savings, you are one catastrophic event from being on the street. This is wholly the reality. Whether that event is losing your job or needing a new roof or your car needing a new transmission, it doesn't matter, one event can change everything.

Once settled in the new gig, you should get yourself Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover. It's a book that changed my life for the better. Good job on getting that new job.

I don't have anything in savings because of a few things, primarily paying off medical bills. That said, I have no debt because I've paid everything off (besides one last medical bill, car and home.) It's not like I have nothing in the bank, just not a lot to live off of without any other source of income for months. I'm pretty damn good with money if you ask me.

It's been frustrating as hell looking for jobs. I've had my resume looked over by at least 5 people, tweeked, polished and good to go. I've submitted it along with cover letters (yes, they are both changed specifically every time they are submitted) to over 50 job postings and I haven't heard back from anyone. Sigh.
 
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