With more than 30 years on the front line of daily American journalism, I'm currently a staff writer with the San Jose Mercury News, covering Apple and writing people-centric business stories from Silicon Valley.
Laid off and still looking? We should talk
For a Pink Slip 2.0 story on long-term unemployment, I’m looking for folks to interview who have been laid off and looking for work now for at least 26 weeks. If you care to share your stories, call me beginning Monday, August. 24, at 408 920 5689 or email me at pmay@mercurynews.com and I’ll get back to you. Thanks! Pat
With more than 30 years on the front line of daily American journalism, I'm currently a staff writer with the San Jose Mercury News, covering Apple and writing people-centric business stories from Silicon Valley.
5 comments
walt keefe
Just heard that Toyota was reducing manaufacturing by 1mm autos….. this includes NUMMI – Fremont !!!!
Aug 25, 2009
Gloria
I an not laid off but did retire a few years ago. Now I want to return back to the workforce but no one is even calling me back. I have submitted my resume many times on Craigslist and other staffing agencies that I won’t mention. I am one of many the over 50 year old looking for work but I guess once my resume is looked over and the years I put into my work they can probably tell how old I am. Don’t these companies know that we so call seniors are more capable of giving them 100% of our time? And able to do what others don’t want to do. We don’t party or go to work with hangovers of which is a plus on our side.(we did that when we were younger). So, Pat, what do you tell people my age; stay home or continue looking.
Thank you…
Gloria
Aug 27, 2009
Pat May
Keep looking, by all means. Fifty, after all, is the new 30! Seriously, at your age, you bring along an entire set of skills and life experiences that younger people can only imagine. That said, younger people can often be hired for a lot less money than the salary level you’ve grown accostomed to. But hang in there. This recession has been brutal, and the job market probably won’t crack open for another year. In the meantime, keep networking, which experts all say is the BEST way to find a job. Be open to learning new skills and perhaps even exploring a new career, perhaps one that’s somehow tied to the one you’ve had. You’ll find success eventually, I know it.
Aug 27, 2009
Chris
Not currently unemployed (thank goodness) but I’m seeing the story for me to get to this point repeated by many friends. The short version: 10 months of serious looking, 679 resumes sent, only 110 responses (but, at 16%, it’s apparently not so bad), of which 71 were outright NOs and the remainder got me several face-to-face interviews after telephone screens, and, at long last, an offer which was both much appreciated and surprisingly great.
[BTW, my background: Engineering + MBA and many years of international tech marketing experience.]
The lessons for me …
* in the end, it was a personal relationship that led to the offer … so, keep up with your network, esp. during good times … talk to them about what you’re looking for and enlist their help … and work on developing it further in a real, genuine way .
* develop a disciplined approach to your hunt … what activities will “fill the pipe,” where are these opportunities in the pipe, what are the next steps.
* consider seriously the product you’re selling … have you packaged it appropriately and attractively? what benefits / value does it bring? is it correctly priced for that value and current market realities? what gaps are there in the offering and how do you plan to fix them?
* make sure you take care of other aspects of your life … don’t forget to get some physical exercise to clear the mind & build energy … and after a hard day at work, give yourself permission to have some fun.
* and now that you have a job, pay it forward, helping others with their hunts … all whilst preparing for your next hunt.
Aug 29, 2009
Pat May
Great advice!
Sep 4, 2009