There is nothing more frightening from an employee’s point of view than knowing that layoffs are coming. Recently, I had to stand by as I watched dozens of my colleagues being led to personnel to receive their severance notice and benefits. It was certainly frightening and depressing at the same time. Thankfully, many of these colleagues found other positions and I believe that my company is stronger today than prior to the layoffs. It may sound harsh to prepare oneself for layoffs, but I practice what I preach here. I was blind until doctors developed lasers that corrected my vision, when I was 19 years old. I grew up planning for layoffs in the sense that I knew it would always be hard to get a job when you walk into the interview with a white cane and explain that you need special equipment to see the computer screen. I accepted this challenge with the determination of a person with a physical handicap. Read on if you would like to know my strategy.
When I Was Blind …
I was born with congenital cataracts. I could see shapes and shadows, I could even read large print until my eyes tired (about 20 minutes) and then my vision would simply fade away. I was very good in math, because I would listen to the teacher say the math problem aloud and while the other kids wrote down the examples for homework, I just wrote down the answer. It was my way of compensating for my disability. I had the first operation when I was 11 years old. That gave me some useable vision and improved my mobility, but it did little to avoid the eye fatigue. When I was 17, I had the second operation and just when I was entering college! The determination that I learned from dealing with my handicap was more important than anything else that I could have imagined.
Planning to land a job … I knew that a person with a handicap had to have special skills in order to land a good job. So I planned for landing a job, by developing unique skills that I knew were in demand. How did I find out which skills were needed? Well one good way is the read the Help Wanted ads when you are not looking for a job. I also became active with a number of professional organizations and I always ask people what they are working on. Also, listen to what people are afraid to get into. You may enjoy the challenge and sense of accomplishment.
Too many technology professionals like to stay within their zone of comfort. It is equally important to stretch a bit and try to get into the technologies that are in demand. Sometimes that means learning something about surrounding skills. For example, becoming a systems administrator or a tester can give the average developer a different of the Software Development Lifecycle. Volunteering to take on a new task is a key teamwork behavior. Sometimes, this may interfere (or delay) your regular responsibilities, so make sure that you communicate if some of your tasks will be delayed. I recently postponed moving our CM environment to a NAS device so that I could help out with the testing effort on a new project. Plan to get involved with tasks that will help you land the next job. It is not a coincidence that may also be the best reason your boss decides that you should stay!
Posting a Resume …
The Internet is a great place for job searching. It is often tough to develop a good resume however. I have found it very helpful to develop three online resumes. The first is the basic description of what I do in my comfort zone. The second resume allows me to experiment for different wording. The third resume is my “wish list” resume, where I describe what I do in terms landing a much more senior position than the one that I am in now. I have learned two important things from using technique during job searches. The first is that sometimes wording can lead to significantly better responses. It is not always easy to predict which version will be successful. Secondly, the responses and questions often teach me lot about what skills I should be developing. Using the internet to create automated search agents is also a key source of information. I’ve found this information helpful in doing my job better, even if I decide that I want to put!
Downsizing is Not Always Bad …
Sometimes downsizing means that your job is about to become a lot more fun; increased responsibility, and new technologies that must be supported by somebody. I try to volunteer to help early and often. This does mean some extra effort (e.g. late nights and Sundays). But frankly, sometimes it also means a lot more fun!
Productivity …
Several recent articles have indicated that even though unemployment is up, productivity is also improving. Somehow, we are learning to do more with less. Wouldn’t it be great if we all continued doing more with less, after the economy improves and unemployment is back down?
As a person with a significant physical handicap, I learned to look at tough challenges in the best way possible. Today, through the miracle of lasers, I can see very well. The determination that I learned has impacted my outlook on life and the way that I approach life’s challenges. I always resented people feeling sorry for me. Pity doesn’t go very far in the real world. Blind people don’t choose to be blind, but we have no choice but to deal with challenges head on. Today’s economic times create many challenges for everyone. A positive attitude and a good deal of hard work can help all of us do our jobs better.
Bob Aiello is a Senior Contributing Editor for Crossroads News and an Associate Director at Bear Stearns & Co. where he is engaged in Software Process Improvement on a large scale basis. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Organizational Development Network of Greater New York (ODNofGNY) and a member of the Steering Committee of CitySPIN in New York. Mr. Aiello has a Masters in Industrial Psychology and a BS in Computer Science.
You can reach Mr. Aiello by email at raiello@acm.
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