Downsized Diary, Week 1

Not sure how everyone responds to being downsized.? Me, my brain starts going at 100 miles per hour, hence the reason why I awoke at 4:30 this morning and felt the need to start this downsizing diary.? In no particular order, here are the things I’ve learned in my first week of this journey.

And if you get through my entire ramble, thanks for coming along with me.

1. It’s OK to be angry

Or sad, or worried, or even excited about this new journey.I’ve been a mix of all of these.

Angry at how the messaging was conveyed regarding my downsizing.? Sad about all the good peers that I wouldn’t be able to say good-bye to.? Worried about how my husband and I would manage the bills.? Excited about what new opportunity might be ahead.

2. Follow your own calendar

I took Monday off.? After being blindsided by the downsizing email sent at 5:09 am and the impersonal 5 minute announcement meeting at 7:45 am I needed the day off.? My brain wasn’t ready to handle much else.

But I hit the ground running on Tuesday.? With 599 of my fellow metro-Detroit GM comrades being in the same position I didn’t want to waste any time. Some people may need more time to process.

3. Have your resume updated - always

I believe it was my Dad that told me to always have your resume updated and thankfully that was one recommendation that I have followed over the years.? I did lose the update I made in April on my now-locked work computer but thankfully I had saved my January update to my personal laptop.

Today it is not only a resume but also having your online LinkedIn profile updated.??

Check - done.

4. Use the tools you have

My first downsizing was my first job after college - way back in 1993 - when the internet was young and LinkedIn didn’t exist.??

I found my binder from my last downsizing when I was moving a couple years ago.? Yes, a three-ring binder. I had copies of every letter that I mailed - yes actually sent via the U.S. Postal Service - to jobs that I found.? I don’t remember where I found jobs back then but I did.

Today I’m using every tool I have - the interwebs, LinkedIn, Facebook, email.? Every tool is useful. And while I may not have a three-ring binder today I do have a spreadsheet that I’ve started with every job I’ve applied to and the new connection conversations I’ve had about my job search.? (Also see #9)

5. It’s a job?

Finding a new job is a job in itself.? I’ve been sitting down every day and checking email, making phone calls, and connecting with others. It is more exhausting than the job I was downsized from.? Keep keeping at it.

6. Be an extrovert

This isn’t my strength. I’m an introvert.? When I’ve said this at work my teammates would laugh at me because they didn’t believe it.? I can speak up in situations that I’m comfortable with, it’s harder when I’m uncomfortable.? And being downsized is uncomfortable.

I have to remind myself to make that phone call to the new contact. To send out that email. To post about what happened to me and how I’m doing. (Also see #8)

7. Stretch myself

I can look at jobs and think “I don’t have that skill”, it’s harder to say “why not me?”

It’s easy to go back to my comfort zone and look for jobs like the one I had, or jobs in the same industry.? With this new downsizing I am trying to stretch myself - why not look for jobs in the travel industry, or finance, or fashion.? Everyone needs a good employee and I am a good employee.

8. Everyone has been through downsizing. Everyone.

Not everyone has received the dreaded you’ve been let-go message. But everyone has felt the impacts - I’ve gotten messages from my co-workers left behind asking how I am doing and about how those left at the office have been scrambling.??

9. Network, network, network

At my first downsizing my Dad told me I should “use my network”.? In 1993, I was one year out of college and the World Wide Web was eight months old.? I didn’t have much of a? network back then.

Today I am thankful that my network is extensively larger and tools like LinkedIn make networking so much easier.? I can reach out with the click of a button.? I don’t have to use my three-ring binder and mail letters.? And as noted above I have the tools (#4) and people (#8) that are all willing to help.

10. Celebrate the small wins

Today I am celebrating by sharing my one week journey.

I am thankful that my husband and I have been working to reduce our debt and build up a nest egg just in case we were in need.

I am thankful for my friends and family that have reached out to support me when they saw the news.? Thank you.

I am #opentowork, let’s talk!