Layoff Vacation and Each One, Teach One

 Layoff Vacation

I got laid off earlier in the month. It was a surprise, but not really. Things were rolling downhill kind of quickly with people leaving for other companies so I was kind of half ass looking for other work. What was strange was that I never imagined the day it happened because it didn't happen as soon as I got to work. At previous jobs, and this one based on other terminations, the HR person grabs the to-be terminated employee before they even clock in. Not this time. I was at work for 2 hours and had gone to the restroom for a mid-morning crap. I'm one of those people who takes my phone to the bathroom with me. 

(I know, disgusting. To be fair, it helped in this instance. Also, I don't touch the phone after I've wiped myself until after I've washed my hands. Just my reasons, not looking to be excused, because I don't care.) 

My co-worker texted me saying the big, big boss was looking for me. I thought, "oh, shit. Me, specifically?" Then, she texted again and said, "We're in the front conference room." Okay, so, not just me, but me and a few others. (The front conference room is only big enough for about 10 ppl.) I was kinda thinking they were re-allocating me, and whoever else, because we had been so slow and had been helping another department migrate files from another company to our system. I was 100% incorrect about that. As I was walking to the conference room, everyone turned to watch me, (so annoying) so I smiled and the person I'm closest to at the job plus the person who had texted me did not smile back. In fact, they looked sort of strange. I still had no inkling. I just thought they looked weird. As soon as I walked in the room, the HR person introduced herself, then she told me EXACTLY why we were meeting. They gave us folders with our termination info including a check for our services through that day. They did tell us we could apply for other positions within the company and the HR person would get our names pushed to the top of the interview list. 

I went that route, initially. I was the only one, though. Lol. I interviewed for one of the positions I had applied for, but the job went to someone else, from within the company, who was going to school for what the position entailed. My ties were completely severed at that point. 

I had made a friend/created a network with a guy who is in the business. I had never networked before and prior to being laid-off, I wouldn't have considered him as such. I would've categorized him as a really nice acquaintance. But, guys, this dude came THROUGH. Okay. When I say he came through, on my behalf, I need you to believe it. He and I had been emailing, the morning of the layoff, about Netflix shows that we were watching, as we were want to do. After I left, I texted him to tell him, "Hey, don't email me at work anymore because I don't work there anymore." He asked for my resume and the next thing I know I was getting emails and phone calls. Seriously, that's exactly how it worked. No one told me what position they were considering me for, nothing. After I set up one such interview, I asked what position they were hiring for and he said, "I'm sure they can get you in there somewhere." That shit was unheard of in my world. They don't even have an opening, but they might possibly hire me, anyway?

I'm in the throes of interviewing now. After the initial interview, I told myself if I didn't get the job, I was going to take 2 months off before actively searching. When would I ever have this opportunity again? Almost anything I might do career wise would not involve consecutive months off at a time. I was looking forward to my layoff vacation. Then, I got an email for a second interview to meet the team. That same afternoon, I setup an interview for the next day. That company is looking to make a decision within a week and they gave me a tour of the facilities. In my experience, a tour means they like you and want you to like them. No layoff vacation for me, it seems. But, I'm glad about it. I want to work and continue through the ranks of my career without stopping. I just thought with this bump in the road I could take advantage. Which I am, except in the other direction. This leads me to Each One, Teach One.

Each One, Teach One

I, honestly, truthfully, and wholeheartedly wish that someone had guided me when I was fresh out of college and applying to the local shoe store. There is no reason a college graduate should be doing that sort of work even if they don't work in their field. I didn't know that. I assumed if I hadn't secured employment in my field, I would kind of have to take what life gave me and try to hustle finding a job using my degree later. That is simply not true and I want everyone to know it. 

In my old age, I have learned some things. Some people will think that since I was laid off that I am just applying for jobs wily-nily. Maybe one day that may be the case, but today it is not. Okay? And it doesn't have to be for you, either. I actually told someone, "I am not desperate. I have almost 10 years of experience in this particular field and a degree. Plus, I am not a job hopper. My work history is stable." The same way people feel about no one being irreplaceable and more fish in the sea, blah, blah, blah. The reverse is true as well. Most companies aren't the only game in time. One company's trash, another company's treasure. Etc, etc. 

I worked at one job, that I absolutely fucking HATED with my whole soul for 7 fucking years. 7 years of my life being miserable 5 days/wk. because I didn't know better. All that to say, I am willing to help anyone with interview stuff. My biggest issue was that my skills didn't seem remarkable. It just seemed like doing the job to me. Even if I was the only one who did it, I still never considered what I did as special, unique, worth something of value to a business. That is a fallacy, people. 

One of my friends told me that she is really good at interviewing. It seemed true since she seemed to get jobs that required a degree or experience and paid way more that what I'm making and she worked at the same shitty place that I had, initially. I asked her time and again to tell me how she would answer specific interview questions with specific examples from her work experience so that I could frame my answers the same way. She always sent me links to Google articles. What the fuck does specific to YOU mean? 

Eventually, I figured out that what I considered lying is actually just showcasing your skills and abilities. I used to have a hard time in interviews because they asked questions, that seemed to me, that I did not have experience in. Just quickly, like, "A time you went above and beyond expectations." I never said I had never done it, but I didn't consider anything I had done as extraordinary. To me, I was lying. Now I know my worth, my abilities, my potential, and this: I know that these corporations will run you into the fucking ground, pay you a pittance, then toss you to the side when the next new shiny model comes along. Don't strike yourself out. Enough ppl will do that, anyway. 

All of *that* to say: I am thinking of doing a series of posts answering questions with answers from MY specific work experience that seems to have gotten me the thumbs up from interviewers. Just to give anyone who needs it a sort of template to use for their own interviews. I don't believe that only some people should know the secret handshake of the game if we're all playing it. I can't decide if I should just do a few questions now. Or wait to see if anyone asks specific questions. 

If any of you have ideas. Let me know.