How to stay off the layoff lists
Free event
I was laid off twice.
I also planned and ran other layoffs when my startups were running out of money or we were shutting down an entire business.
On Feb 23 (Friday) I am teaching a free lesson on “How to Stay off the Layoff Lists”.
Over 1,000 people have already registered.
Here are some of the key points:
While sometimes there is nothing you can do, like if your whole company shuts down, most layoffs are a percentage of the team.
In cases where only some people are being let go, keep your job by:
Asking for feedback and addressing problems early.
Developing a rare or essential skill that must be kept.
Getting close to the money (e.g. profitable projects, key clients).
Leave speculative research projects or failing business units.
There is very little you can do to avoid a layoff the day it is happening, but a lot you can do even just a couple of months ahead of time. If your position feels insecure, do not be indifferent or paralyzed by indecision. Take action now.
You can also prepare for a possible bad outcome now:
Update your resume and LinkedIn.
Talk to your network and remind them you exist *before* you need something.
Set aside some cash if you can.
Layoffs are an unfortunate reality. I rebounded from being let go to have a great career at Amazon and still retire at age 50.
Read my layoff story here. It was a terrible feeling to have a new child and watch the bank account slowly shrink. I was constantly doing math on when the savings would run out, and then when the credit cards would fill up, and then when the 401k would be gone...
So, while being let go is shocking and painful, life will go on and you can recover.
Audience Insights
Additional ideas worth considering from my LinkedIn audience:
A high value niche is an “excellent floatation device.” If you develop the reputation of being “The [Blank] Person” make sure it is something the business values and makes you a linchpin.
Your job security is tied to your ability to get your next job, not keep your current one. Build your career moat now, that includes building your network and the best way to do that is to be a value magnet (focus on what you can do for others, not what others can do for you). Read the Amazon “secret” of controllable inputs for your career.
In scenarios where feedback is not provided and you are laid off, you must read between the lines. Look at who was kept when you were not.
Additional helpful articles:
Career Development Courses
Three relevant on-demand courses:
Leadership resumes that get results: Specific steps to get interviews from your resume. Click here.
Leadership networking: Actionable steps to build a powerful network. Click here.
Maximizing a severance package: You are being laid off, getting fired, or just want to move on - learn how to get the best package as a part of your transition out of your company. Click here (offered for $5, the price of a latte).
Click here to see all on-demand courses.
Connect With Me
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Click here to follow me on Twitter.
Level Up is a newsletter from retired Amazon Vice President Ethan Evans that breaks down how he succeeded and how you can get to the next level.
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