My layoff and job search story

[Digital Larry]

I was with a local "internet security software" startup for 8 years and got laid off mid October. Cannot say I didn't see it coming as revenues were nowhere near what we needed to stay afloat and additional investors were not coming to the table. Having been through three or four layoffs/failing startups before, I mentally marked the point at which I no longer cared what happened. I still did my job but I had less of a tendency to do much on weekends (being in tech support, there's always something coming in). I threw myself into my hobby and also started spending 1-2 hours a day studying Japanese online. The whole point of that was to fill my mind with things other than useless "woulda coulda shoulda" thoughts about my former employer. I also signed a "non-disparagement" clause in order to get a small severance. So I'm not gonna say anything else about that.

Dealing with unemployment and insurance was a pretty big pain but I was finally able to talk to someone who provided some helpful information.

The weekend after I got laid off, I thought, "I should get back in touch with that company "T" I did some consulting for four years ago". The next Tuesday, that guy sent me an e-mail wondering if I would have some time to help with a new project. THAT was a wild coincidence. So I did that and made a few thousand dollars.

I decided I would go after the type of job I really want, which is "audio engineering". I don't mean running the sound console at the local club, I mean some aspect of product development related to audio, especially with digital signal processing. I have not had a solid audio related job for about 20 years.

I used LinkedIn and glassdoor.com quite heavily to find local opportunities. "Audio engineering" is not the hottest category these days but places that do work in this area tend to be really into it.

Had a few interviews that seemed like interesting opportunities, but not a great fit. Getting some practice interviewing anyway. I also got some interest from a company "U", that after I looked at their Glassdoor profile, I could not bring myself to continue. I just didn't get back in touch with them at all.

Got in touch with one company "D" that I would really like to work for and am currently doing some consulting for them so they can tell whether or not I can do what I said I could. Still interviewing for a full time position there. And through a friend, I got a referral to a position at one of the world's largest consumer companies "A" that does a LOT of stuff with audio. I'm on my third round of interviews there. I think I just need to talk to one more person.

I'm fairly confident I can get a position with company "D" that I'm currently consulting with. If the big company "A" comes through, it would likely mean a fairly significant increase in compensation. That one I'm a little less confident about.

When I first got laid off I had all sorts of self doubt (I am 62 after all) but I was somewhat encouraged by the fact that a number of friends my age or slightly older are still working in high tech. Of course, it's not over until it's over, and companies can always change their hiring plans. Next week I have two more interviews and then we'll see what happens.

 

[Milspec]

Sounds like there will be lots of layoffs in the near future, at least you are getting a jump on things before the crowds. The only thing I have learned when it comes to jobs is that it always comes down to who you know. Ideally, as we get older, we should have many contacts that have reached elevated positions that can open a door for us. My contacts are losers and could only get me a burger and fries, so I hope to never need to find another job again.

 

[bgmacaw]

I also signed a "non-disparagement" clause in order to get a small severance. So I'm not gonna say anything else about that.

Been there, done that. I was very angry and so very close to telling them what to do with their bribe. My wife talked me down from telling everyone about

Spoiler

[redacted]

. But, if someone were to ask me my opinion of that company, my facial expression might give something away...

When I first got laid off I had all sorts of self doubt (I am 62 after all) but I was somewhat encouraged by the fact that a number of friends my age or slightly older are still working in high tech.

I work in IT in "low tech", aka manufacturing. That may be an option for you. Logistics, a somewhat related field, also needs help in this area.

Good luck on your interviews.

 

[GunsOfBrixton]

The company I worked for has also been struggling for the last few years. They switched me to half time in the middle of last year. I was the only software developer left. The halftime was fine with me as I was thinking of Retiring anyways. Then a couple of months later they moved me to hourly from exempt. That pissed me off but I decided to stick around for a bit. The final straw was at the end of November when they said they were no longer going to let me accrue vacation time. I resigned immediately. Not what they expected! They Wanted me to stick around and help transition my workload / area expertise . I told them my consulting rate is $125 / hour, 8 hour Minimum, paid upfront. Haven't heard a peep from them since.

 

[CV Jee Beez]

Knock em' dead. In the meantime, I hope you get exactly what you want.

 

[teletimetx]

Best of luck; I usually say take the first offer, because it’s just as easy to accept the second one, if it comes. Employers have no real loyalty, so why should you?

 

[Tim S]

Sorry to hear about the layoff.

I’ve been in IT for over 35 years and have been bit by layoffs 3 times. (#2 was in Silicon Valley during the DotCom bubble crash)

After my 3rd layoff, I ended up getting a state government job. While the pay stunk at first, the wage increases are predictable, the work I do is meaningful (as opposed to some places I worked where the sole goal was extracting as much money from customers’ pockets as possible) and I actually have a pension I’ll be able to comfortably retire on.

So, if you’re sick of private sector feast-or-famine, think public sector.

 

[imwjl]

I was with a local "internet security software" startup for 8 years and got laid off mid October. Cannot say I didn't see it coming as revenues were nowhere near what we needed to stay afloat and additional investors were not coming to the table. Having been through three or four layoffs/failing startups before, I mentally marked the point at which I no longer cared what happened. I still did my job but I had less of a tendency to do much on weekends (being in tech support, there's always something coming in). I threw myself into my hobby and also started spending 1-2 hours a day studying Japanese online. The whole point of that was to fill my mind with things other than useless "woulda coulda shoulda" thoughts about my former employer. I also signed a "non-disparagement" clause in order to get a small severance. So I'm not gonna say anything else about that.

Dealing with unemployment and insurance was a pretty big pain but I was finally able to talk to someone who provided some helpful information.

The weekend after I got laid off, I thought, "I should get back in touch with that company "T" I did some consulting for four years ago". The next Tuesday, that guy sent me an e-mail wondering if I would have some time to help with a new project. THAT was a wild coincidence. So I did that and made a few thousand dollars.

I decided I would go after the type of job I really want, which is "audio engineering". I don't mean running the sound console at the local club, I mean some aspect of product development related to audio, especially with digital signal processing. I have not had a solid audio related job for about 20 years.

I used LinkedIn and glassdoor.com quite heavily to find local opportunities. "Audio engineering" is not the hottest category these days but places that do work in this area tend to be really into it.

Had a few interviews that seemed like interesting opportunities, but not a great fit. Getting some practice interviewing anyway. I also got some interest from a company "U", that after I looked at their Glassdoor profile, I could not bring myself to continue. I just didn't get back in touch with them at all.

Got in touch with one company "D" that I would really like to work for and am currently doing some consulting for them so they can tell whether or not I can do what I said I could. Still interviewing for a full time position there. And through a friend, I got a referral to a position at one of the world's largest consumer companies "A" that does a LOT of stuff with audio. I'm on my third round of interviews there. I think I just need to talk to one more person.

I'm fairly confident I can get a position with company "D" that I'm currently consulting with. If the big company "A" comes through, it would likely mean a fairly significant increase in compensation. That one I'm a little less confident about.

When I first got laid off I had all sorts of self doubt (I am 62 after all) but I was somewhat encouraged by the fact that a number of friends my age or slightly older are still working in high tech. Of course, it's not over until it's over, and companies can always change their hiring plans. Next week I have two more interviews and then we'll see what happens.

Good luck. If you have InfoSec experience you should be fine at any age. Something I did that has really helped with security is the more stressful and and hands on infrastructure related, and in the food industry. Now 22 years in food related I've watched it be so much more stable overall even if individual firms have problems.

BTW, on InfoSec and all of tech you want to be really careful and work for firms with earnings says the guy who did work for two startups.

On age (I'm older than you), keep at your fitness and energy. It can intimidate some but key people want that.

Again, good luck.

 

[Killing Floor]

Good luck. Being laid off absolutely sucks.

But speaking from experience, if you are good at what you do there are always opportunities.

And there is nothing as sweet as the satisfaction of succeeding just enough at your new job to cause your old manager to not make his bonus.

 

[Brad Pittiful]

i think the older worker is being looked at again as young folk dont seem to want to work

good luck with getting a new job!

 

[Knows3Chords]

I worked decades in IT for financial and then medical companies. In those years I was laid off 6 times. Mergers, outsourcing overseas, insourcing visa holding replacement workers, and automation and other technical advances that just kept changing the game. The first few times were gut wrenching. Having a new mortgage and small mouths to feed at home made for some really stressful times. Each time I was able to secure gainful employment almost immediately. I can't image what it is like in today's world. Things seem to happen so fast it makes my head spin sometimes. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[Greg70]

i think the older worker is being looked at again as young folk dont seem to want to work

good luck with getting a new job!

Absolutely agree on that. I work at a large manufacturing plant with several 40 year plus employees. The older folks are way more productive on average than the young ones they bring in.

 

[rand z]

There is no "free lunch" for any of us.

Hang in there and stay positive.

Good Luck!!

imo.

 

[Happy Enchilada]

An old timer I used to know once said "You're not a man until you've had the clap at least twice." Same goes for layoffs, firings, etc. Work for the man and as Homey D. Clown says, he will screw ya.

I was laid off from 3 good corporate jobs in 5 years.
Not because of my job performance or attitude - that's just how the man balances the books.
Went fishing and sat on a rock and smoked a Camel and came home with the resolve to hang my shingle out on the WWW.
That was 25 years ago and I haven't looked back.

OP - you live in Silicon Valley. You have experience and skills in tech.
You have access to LinkedIn and GlassDoor and you could tickle Monster too.
Unless you have a personal odor issue or grotesque facial tats, you should be employed soon.

 

[nvilletele]

How’s it going with your Japanese studies?

I studied it for 2 years in college and then lived and worked there for 12 of the next 15 years, becoming fairly fluent fairly quickly. I really enjoyed learning it. Still have my old Nelson‘s kan-ei jiten, though not sure if anyone still uses such things anymore.