When you know your job is going away...

[Bubba1235]

Had a long talk with the son-in-law and the truth is, he is between a rock and a hard place with his job. He is a reporter with a newspaper and his paper, like most all of them, is fading away. He's been their political reporter for ten years and in that time has seen the reporting staff cut in half and then some and is certain it's only a matter of time before the hammer falls.

During our conversation I encouraged him to ACTIVELY seek a new line of employment BEFORE the hammer falls. I'm a firm believer that the odds of finding a job you want are much better while you are still working (bring in a pay check) rather than afterwards when the wolves at the door force you into taking a job you don't really want. He says he would feel guilty looking for work while still at the paper. Myself, I think that's a little silly and said so and said if he really felt that way then tell his boss he is looking, after all the boss has to see the same writing on the wall. He was really uneasy with that idea fearing it would hasten the trip out the door.

So what is the general concensus here, is there anything wrong with actively seeking a new job which will surely at some point mean taking calls on "company time" or needing time off for interviews, etc.? I say there isn't but I haven't looked for a job in a very, very long time. What are the forums thoughts?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

Happening all over to the newspaper media and has been on a rapid decline here for years.

I am sure in 10 years he has made friends and just needs to utilize his networking.

Persistence and remember to remind him of this important thing...... The days of responding to resumes for applicants is GONE and he should not take it personal. HR people no longer respond since it is a burden to even take 3 minutes to send an email. If a job has 100 applicants and 99 need to be responded to...... that is about 5 hours of work time wasted ...... so, they no longer respond.

 

[Harritwo]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

Had a long talk with the son-in-law and the truth is, he is between a rock and a hard place with his job. He is a reporter with a newspaper and his paper, like most all of them, is fading away. He's been their political reporter for ten years and in that time has seen the reporting staff cut in half and then some and is certain it's only a matter of time before the hammer falls.

During our conversation I encouraged him to ACTIVELY seek a new line of employment BEFORE the hammer falls. I'm a firm believer that the odds of finding a job you want are much better while you are still working (bring in a pay check) rather than afterwards when the wolves at the door force you into taking a job you don't really want. He says he would feel guilty looking for work while still at the paper. Myself, I think that's a little silly and said so and said if he really felt that way then tell his boss he is looking, after all the boss has to see the same writing on the wall. He was really uneasy with that idea fearing it would hasten the trip out the door.

So what is the general concensus here, is there anything wrong with actively seeking a new job which will surely at some point mean taking calls on "company time" or needing time off for interviews, etc.? I say there isn't but I haven't looked for a job in a very, very long time. What are the forums thoughts?

I would have to say that in today's economy, with your SIL seeing the writing on the wall, He needs to actively pusue a new line of work. There have been studies done here in Northeast Florida that claim that employers do not want to hire the unemployed if they can hire someone who is currently employed. Part of the reasons claimed are if their previous employer did not want to retain them, why would they be good for my company? As far as taking calls on company time, I look at it like the employee has a right to a break and as long as it doesnt interfere with his job or it becomes a habit, I would actively pursue new employment but still balance things to the point that I am performing to my best for my current employer.

Just my .02 worth.

 

[lncoop]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

+1.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

. . . So what is the general concensus here, is there anything wrong with actively seeking a new job which will surely at some point mean taking calls on "company time" or needing time off for interviews, etc.? I say there isn't but I haven't looked for a job in a very, very long time. What are the forums thoughts?

Nothing wrong with it . . . it is all part of the 'at will' employment process. Perhaps the SIL needs a dope slap . . . his employer may privately thank him for taking the initiative, as there would be one less person to layoff. . .

He should do it discretely, but with great purpose.

 

[jkust]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

This is exactly how the world goes round. The way it's done now though is that sure you take phone calls but you text not email since text messages generally do not go through a server.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

This is exactly how the world goes round. The way it's done now though is that sure you take phone calls but you text not email since text messages generally do not go through a server.

I get calls every month from my favorite recruiters . . . just keeping in touch . . not a big deal. They call me, so it is their dime.

Tell the SIL to circumvent company email servers by using his private email at work via the web browser, if he does not already know that.

. . . and if he does not have a LinkedIn profile yet . . . better get going on it.

 

[korygrandy]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

. . . and if he does not have a LinkedIn profile yet . . . better get going on it.

+1 On that. It's not what you know, it's who you know and what they know you know. Networking is huge in today's job seeking, at least in my industry.

I am on the hunt right now guys! Wish me luck, it's soo tough because I love love love a lot about my current situation, but they say the grass is greener on the other side.

On LinkedIn, if you have a solid profile, looking for a job is so simple I cannot describe. LI is good as gold.

 

[southkogs]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

I would have to say that in today's economy, with your SIL seeing the writing on the wall, He needs to actively pusue a new line of work. There have been studies done here in Northeast Florida that claim that employers do not want to hire the unemployed if they can hire someone who is currently employed. Part of the reasons claimed are if their previous employer did not want to retain them, why would they be good for my company? As far as taking calls on company time, I look at it like the employee has a right to a break and as long as it doesnt interfere with his job or it becomes a habit, I would actively pursue new employment but still balance things to the point that I am performing to my best for my current employer.

Just my .02 worth.

^^^^ Yup.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

You have given your son in law wise words.

In Alabama, Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery and Mobile newspapers share ownership and they're down to 3 written issues per week. It's just a short time until other newspapers are going to be following this activity. Newspapers are just not the same online.

Newspaper writers are often "public figures" and they come in contact with lots of independent businessmen. Your son in law needs to use his business ties from the newspaper world to find another line of work he would enjoy. Writing jobs are few and far between, but those skills can be used in other businesses.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

+1 On that. It's not what you know, it's who you know and what they know you know. Networking is huge in today's job seeking, at least in my industry.

I am on the hunt right now guys! Wish me luck, it's soo tough because I love love love a lot about my current situation, but they say the grass is greener on the other side.

On LinkedIn, if you have a solid profile, looking for a job is so simple I cannot describe. LI is good as gold.

I found my current job on LinkedIn . . .

 

[angus63]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

All but one of my nine "careers" were kicked off while employed. Loyalty is noble but my first responsibility is providing as best I can for my family. My BIL was a financial reporter for USA Today and transitioned to be a financial editor for an electronic internet financial website knowing the clock was ticking. Works from home and is very satisfied. Still provides occasional support to his old company as a contract employee. Having a steady income while on the hunt is a luxury not to be dismissed.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

I would have to say that in today's economy, with your SIL seeing the writing on the wall, He needs to actively pusue a new line of work. There have been studies done here in Northeast Florida that claim that employers do not want to hire the unemployed if they can hire someone who is currently employed. Part of the reasons claimed are if their previous employer did not want to retain them, why would they be good for my company? As far as taking calls on company time, I look at it like the employee has a right to a break and as long as it doesnt interfere with his job or it becomes a habit, I would actively pursue new employment but still balance things to the point that I am performing to my best for my current employer.

Just my .02 worth.

Well, that might be more than its worth. LOL

I know my state is a right-to-work state. You do not have a right to a break, to lunch, to anything. I found this out while at my last job that didn't permit me any breaks, no lunch period, nothing. I even had to answer the company cell phone while sitting on the comode.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

Well, that might be more than its worth. LOL

I know my state is a right-to-work state. You do not have a right to a break, to lunch, to anything. I found this out while at my last job that didn't permit me any breaks, no lunch period, nothing. I even had to answer the company cell phone while sitting on the comode.

That does not sound right . . . if so, you need to move somewhere else.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

Being company loyal is a thing of the past. So yes he should be actively looking. In today's world company's only last as long as their making money, when that stops ever one is out the door.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

Beat them to the punch! Looking while still working is better than the alternative and interviewing with a negative attitude and possibly accepting a position less desirable. Believe me most every company has no loyalty but exspect it.

 

[mscher]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

So what is the general concensus here, is there anything wrong with actively seeking a new job which will surely at some point mean taking calls on "company time" or needing time off for interviews, etc.? I say there isn't but I haven't looked for a job in a very, very long time. What are the forums thoughts?

I always thought that what "company time" was for - looking for a better job.

He hasn't given them extra time for free, over those 10 years?

You can bet his bosses, are looking too, if they are smart.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

Well...you can't tell people what to do or change them...generally speaking. The best you can do is to help him with some strategies that might help him when the smoke clears. Like they say, failure is the greatest teacher.

As for for company loyalty, companies replaced that now sought after golden nugget years ago in the 80's with mass layoffs to lift company share sales ('heres to you Jack Welch'......see ya' later:grumpy. At that point it became every man and woman for themselves.

On the upside, the old adage about only employed people being hiring targets has been changing. This is clearly due to the economy over the last 4-5 years wherein even business owners, managers and HR people probably all know high quality people who got the rug pulled out from under them. As a result the mindset has changed (eased) as to someone being a possible hiring target and currently working (or not) if and when there is a good history behind your career.

I fully agree tho' about the written resume' being a bit of a relic from the past....not completely, but its getting there. Today it is about networking so 'now' is always a good time to keep greasing the rails.

My two bits.

BP

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

So what is the general concensus here,
1) is there anything wrong with actively seeking a new job
2) which will surely at some point mean taking calls on "company time"
3) or needing time off for interviews, etc.?

I say there isn't but I haven't looked for a job in a very, very long time. What are the forums thoughts?

IMO :
1) Absolutely nothing wrong.
2) Can't really think why this would be necessary (and would avoid it like the plague). Most (if not all) prospective employers would respect and abide by a wish not to be called at your present employers POB.
3) Absolutely nothing wrong. Time off is time off....dentist, doctor, etc.

Lot of opinion in here about the lack of loyalty of employers...but what OP has described is a case of a failing company within a failing industry.
Kind of like the overloaded lifeboat moral/ethics teaser.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: When you know your job is going away...

I fully agree tho' about the written resume' being a bit of a relic from the past....not completely, but its getting there.

If you are talking about resumes on paper, you are correct. When my last company started to go through head count reduction because our venture capital was drying up, I put my resume on Monster and Career Builders. within a few weeks, I had an interview with my present company and had a job offer the next day. This was at the end of 2008 when things were going south.