How to Cope when a Co-Worker is Laid Off

When your best water cooler buddy gets laid off, it can be really upsetting. The rumors start flying and then the grapevine confirms that, yes, a close co-worker has been laid off. You suddenly find yourself coping with an uncomfortable situation. On the one hand, you must provide support for your friend. On the other hand, you begin to wonder about the security of your own job.

First of all, when a layoff is announced and you see a friend quietly packing his desk, don't hide behind your cubicle wall. The worst thing to do is nothing at all. React as quickly as you can or else you'll look like an insensitive jerk. Offer your co-worker a sympathetic ear, but whatever you do, don’t say things like "I'll probably be next" or "You're better off anyway...you’re getting off a sinking ship." These comments are negative and not helpful. More importantly, do not encourage defeatist or vengeful behavior. The best thing you can do is be honest. Simply saying, "I just heard the news and I don't know what to say" and listening while they vent is support enough.

But what about you? Sure, you still have your job but things won’t be the same. In fact, you, too, may become discouraged. You may even start to wonder when the next shoe will drop and if you'll be next. Very often the overall work environment changes too. Without your best office pal, it’s just not as fun as it used to be. So, what should you do?

First, you both need to change your mindset. Remember, your destiny is ultimately in your own hands. Whether you’re still employed or not, you should consider alternative ways to earn extra income. Freelance jobs are a great way to earn extra cash and gain greater financial freedom. The point is – always have your hand in another cookie jar. This helps soften the blow of being laid off. If you have a few jobs on the side and some extra income coming in, if you are suddenly laid off you’ll be less freaked out about how to make ends meet. And, in the end, you may be able to continue with your side projects, but at a full-time pace instead.

Another way to become empowered is to further educate yourself – even if you’re completely comfortable in your current job. If you continually and proactively sharpen your skills and expand them, you will be less likely to lose your job because you’ll be a more valuable employee. Not only that, if you do happen to get laid off, you will be considered more desirable if you can demonstrate you are up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technology.

Ultimately, you and your friend can turn the devastation of a lay off into a positive thing for both of you. Don’t let fear get the best of you. Rather, let it inspire you. Take classes. Volunteer in a completely different industry. Immerse yourself into an alternative job you wouldn’t ordinarily consider. Remember, a layoff isn’t the end of the world. It’s the start of a new one. Good luck!

Labels: corporate culture, downsizing, friendship, job security, professional relationships, real-world knowledge

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 7/31/2009 09:28:00 AM
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Leaving on Good Terms

Although there is negative connotation associated with leaving a job, this is not always the case. There are many reasons that people depart from jobs, not all of them are bad situations. Some people leave jobs to pursue a better opportunity, to live in a new city, or to work in a home environment. So whatever the reason for leaving a job, it is important to remember there is a right way and a wrong way. Although you may leave your job not caring about how your former employer or coworkers think about you, if you reenter the workforce your past will be scrutinized. So make sure you do these simple things before you cut your Goodbye cake!
1. Let all your outside contacts know that you will no longer be their liaison to the company. Tell your clients their account will be handled by someone else and give them the contact information.
2. Leave your workspace clean. Make sure you do not accidentally pack anything that is office supplies or confidential company files. Consult your office policies on what to do with your computer files.
3. Write a note to keep with your employee file. Thank your employer for the experience you received.

Posted by Suzanne on 7/30/2009 09:13:00 PM
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International Affairs

I am currently studying abroad for three weeks and have learned in my short time here just how valuable it can be to make connections EVERYWHERE you go. While the classes I am taking focus on my intended field of study post-graduation, it has been essential for me to make good choices and represent myself and America in a positive light while being out and about in Europe.

It got me to thinking a lot about the way we carry ourselves in our "everyday" lives. Whether we realize it or not, people are always watching us! And the person that is doing the watching could very well be a fabulous executive looking for their next new hire. It is vitally important that you always be respectful of others around you, most notably while visiting someone else's homeland.

While I don't think it is necessary to pretend to be more proper than you normally would, I do think you should investigate the customs of the countries you visit. For example, while waving hello to someone is perfectly acceptable in America, in some other countries, it is considered an insult. Researching these things not only can help you in becoming more culturally aware, but also land you potential offers to work abroad elsewhere!

Labels: European customs, making connections

Posted by Amanda on 7/30/2009 05:04:00 PM
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Who's Who of USF

When I was a senior in high school and I was looking at colleges, I faced the tough decision of choosing what kind of college I wanted to attend. Did I want to be at a small college or a large university? Did I want to hope for acceptance at a highly ranked school with tough standards or just accept an offer from an average school and hope to be a stand out? So I applied to Florida's "Big 5" public Universities. FSU and UF being the toughest schools, UCF and USF being my best fit and FGCU being my back up school. Ultimately I choose USF and couldn't be happier. Looking back at the past four years I have realized that I would have probably been restless at a smaller school and felt lost and stressed at an older, larger school. Although many claim that one college degree will hold more weight because of the reputation of the school, I still feel that your diploma can only take your so far. It is extremely important to leave college with a sense of fulfillment and that you have left an impact on your school. Although not everyone who walks through the doors of USF will be remembered, and even the most infamous of USF grads will not be known by every student, it can be said that it feels good to know a small popuation of the USF comunity will remember you.

Posted by Suzanne on 7/23/2009 07:32:00 PM
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When the Heat Kills Your Work Ethic

For those of us still in school, the "lazy days" of summer are drawing to a close. For those working in confined cubicles, the heat of the summer sun may be just enough to zap your energy and motivation within the workplace.

Labels: lack of motivation, summer

Posted by Amanda on 7/23/2009 05:09:00 PM
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To grad school, or to elsewhere? That is the question.

I refrained from imparting too much of my personal bias into my last entry, so this one will be a little more subjective. For many students today, grad school seems an inevitable and necessary step in the transition from their early twenties to full-blown adulthood. The constant advancement of one's education is certainly a noble goal, and one I believe we should all make an attempt to attain. However, education is not a commercial product, and it does not need to be obtained from any one specific place. Too few people seem to realize this, blindly hurtling themselves into several relatively aimless years of formal university instruction in a particular subject because, well, that's just what people are supposed to do. However, the decision to attend a graduate program, as natural as it may seem, is not one to be taken lightly, especially if you're unsure of your commitment to the degree. If you were never passionate about your undergraduate degree, don't launch your graduate career in the same field just because it'll be easier than following an educational path you have a legitimate and lasting interest in. If you're unsure of where you want life to take you in these next few years, don't attend grad school as an idle exercise. Take a year or two off. Travel the world. Read the classics. Work odd jobs. Learn to count cards. Occupy yourself in whatever way you see fit -- odds are, it'll be less costly and more fulfilling than a graduate degree you have zero real interest in. If you're positive that grad school is the right thing for you, by all means, dive right in. But if you're feeling the pressure in that cap and gown, take a moment to relax and weigh your options -- it's then, many say, that the real learning takes place. Grad school will always be there, but youth is fleeting. Take a break and live a little, if that's what your gut tells you. You'll thank yourself when you're too old to do anything but be settled and studious.

Labels: degrees, gap year, grad school

Posted by Brian on 7/18/2009 08:45:00 PM
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The Gap Year, Metric System Analogies, and You

The gap year, like the Metric System, is one of those European traditions that makes sense, but for whatever reason never gained much foothold in the States. Also like the Metric System, if it better suits your field and lifestyle more than the homeland's custom, there's nothing stopping you from taking advantage of it. While the options that must be weighed before committing to this yearlong students' sabbatical may at first seem irreconcilable, Seymour's outline of them is fairly comprehensive and should help ease your decision. I don't want to impart too much of my personal bias here (again, whether or not to take a gap year is your decision to make), but I will echo what Seymour and others have been saying: Today's job market (or lack thereof) should give some pause before diving into a graduate program or career, so take a deep breath, take a seat, and consider taking a year off. With this blog and other Internet resources as your guide, arriving at a decision will take time, but shouldn't be overly difficult -- sort of like Metric conversions.

Labels: cultural differences, gap year, job market, metric system analogies

Posted by Brian on 7/18/2009 06:58:00 PM
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Life in the Slow Lane

Although taking a break between college and the next step in my life is not the ideal situation I had hoped for when I started college, it is the predicament I will soon find myself in. Although this gap is the result of much debate and hesitation, I still hope that some good will come of this break. I have many fears and worries about losing ambition and motivation, but I know that I can over come that. It is true that a short break can be an opportunity to "recharge your batteries", but this all depends on the length of the gap and what you accomplish during. If you take a couple months to study for your GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc. then this may be a huge benefit to you. But if a couple months turns into a year or two doing nothing, then you may lose your drive to accomplish a higher education. Employers may also wonder about the significant gap on your resume. But don't lose all hope! Remember that your bachelor's degree is good forever and a gap can be filled with a number of eye opening experiences that your employer may find valuable. I will use my time between college and law school harder for the LSATs, gain some real world legal experience, pay back some loans and save money for law school.

Posted by Suzanne on 7/16/2009 09:37:00 PM
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Keeping Your Options Open

The last time I was home visiting my family, the inevitable line of questioning began, same as always: "What are you going to do after you graduate?" While my answer has generally stayed the same over the past four years, this time things were different.

Labels: future planning, graduate school, jobs after college

Posted by Amanda on 7/16/2009 09:35:00 PM
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Should You Consider Taking a Gap Year?

You’ve just graduated from college and you’re thinking about taking a well-deserved break in the action before embarking on your new career. Besides, the current job market pretty much stinks. If this sounds like you, consider doing something meaningful as you explore your alternatives.

A “gap year” represents a prolonged period of time between two stages of life. Taking this time off is commonplace in Europe and Australia where young adults often take a break after high school or college. Graduates are encouraged to use this period to take on meaningful experiences for personal development and exploration before moving on to the next stage of life.

But, is becoming a “gapper” a smart move for you – especially given the current state of the economy? Naturally, it depends. Consider the pros and cons of taking a break.

Pros:

• You can take this time to save money for grad school, an apartment, or a car.
• If you’re tired of school, you may not do well in a grad school program without taking a break first – which could save you money in the long run.
• You can use this time to explore careers alternatives, perhaps by interning.
• Traveling across the country or abroad will allow you to explore geographical options and other cultures.
• You can use this time to “give back” to your community by volunteering.

Cons:

• After taking some time off, you may never want to further your education.
• You could lose contact with those ever-important networking contacts you’ve accumulated while in school – such as professors and professional mentors.

Many educators believe that the increased focus, maturity and motivation gappers obtain are worth the break in the “job search” action. And, given that good jobs are few and far between right now, it might be a good time to escape from the pressure that has left many recent college grads burned out – the pressure of finding a good job in a bad recession. So if you’re inclined, take some time. This gap in your resume could work to your advantage. Good luck!

Labels: career, career prep, graduate school, independent study, internship, job search, jobs after college, the real world, unemployed

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 7/16/2009 10:57:00 AM
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Making the Most of Your Last Semester[s]

As any college graduate can tell you, the last few months leading up to commencement are often times painful and seem to have no end in sight. But what they may not advise you about is that those months can be vital tools to ensuring your future at an excellent company.

Labels: finishing strong, jobs after college

Posted by Amanda on 7/09/2009 08:46:00 PM
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Cash in on your College Experience

Many college students take advantage of all the opportunities that are available to them in college. They are the ones who belong to multiple clubs, have great internships, a part time job, and also volunteer. But some college students fall short when it comes to showcasing what they have learned to potential employers. Here are some tips to cashing in on your college experience!

1. Don't be shy about talking yourself up in an interview. Don't be bashful or feel that you are gloating if you keep the focus on the fact that you are a great fit for the job, not that you are better than it.
2. Tell them why you sought out the experience. Your motivations showcase your character.
3. Obviously let them how you benefited and the knowledge you gained from your college experiences.
4. Relate your experiences to the job you are interviewing for. Although it may seem like volunteering at an animal shelter has nothing to do with selling cars... if you try there will be a connection (like matching people with a good fit car/animal).

So although you may have racked up hours of extracurricular, remember that you will only reap the rewards when you tell an employer the whole picture.

Posted by Suzanne on 7/09/2009 02:45:00 AM
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Save Money While You Earn It!

While the economy has crumbled over the past months, its effects have been felt by millions of workers across the country. It is my hope that those still employed have been able to learn from the experience of working for less or practically living paycheck to paycheck.

As for budgeting, one easy way to save quite a bit each week is to pack your lunch. If you buy foods in bulk at a wholesale retailer like BJ's or Sam's, you can purchase enough food to pack and enjoy for weeks at a time. I would recommend however, to stick to bulk buying things that are non-perishable, as you don't want to waste that money on lunch meats that will spoil quickly.

Another tip is to take a certain portion out of each paycheck and put it toward savings. This little extra can serve as a cushion that you can use if and when you come across an emergency situation. I personally felt the hardship of NOT having savings when my car had issues unexpectedly last month.

Little steps like these are easy measures that can help you save money in the long run. Try not to stress too much over it though-- you only live once and it's no fun to spend that time scrimping down to the dime :)

Labels: finances, money management, pay cuts

Posted by Amanda on 7/02/2009 10:44:00 PM
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Fight the urge to splurge!

You've just graduated and landing a decent paying job! Congratulations! This means dinners out, happy hours with coworkers, brand spanking new apartment with upscale furniture, new car and monthly hair cuts and spa appointments right? Wrong. Especially if you have student loans. It may seem that leaving college and getting a job will mean the dough will just roll in. But in fact, your first couple years out of college may seem very familiar because they may seem a lot like the years you spent in college. Although your paycheck will be bigger, and it may seem that your immediate expenses are small, this is what makes an adult different that a teenager. Your ability to plan on expenses that are not immediate are what will determine whether you sink or swim. You will probably not be covered under your parents car and health insurance, you may have students loans or credit card debt and may want to look into starting your retirement plan. So although your new lifestyle may seem fun and luxurious, live it up and then get down to business. The expenses are just around the corner: wedding, your first mortgage, and even new babies!

Posted by Suzanne on 7/02/2009 06:56:00 PM
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