Girls In Tech

Just when it seems like the economy might be getting a little bit better, more people are getting laid off and less companies are hiring. This is disturbing especially since the government is focusing on shoring up the economy by bailing out big corporations and not by helping people keep their jobs. As confusing as that may be, we have to move onward and upward, and the best way to do that is by giving your knowledge a boost, diversifying your skill-set, making yourself indisposable and by focusing on a few key activities when you get laid off. The following article from Amateur Asset Allocator, documents “The 11 Things To Do Immediately When You Get Laid Off.” I think the points that this article makes are extremely valid and useful, so I’m not only forwarding this onto my friends that are currently unemployed, but also, I’m writing about it as a guide for Girls in Tech members. So here goes. You can read the whole article here: 

11 Things To Do Immediately When You Get Laid Off

1. Spruce Up Your Resume
2. Tell Everyone You’ve Ever Met, Immediately
3. Give Your Resume to Everyone, Even If  They Don’t Ask
4. Play The Lottery
5. Shore Up Your References
6. Stop Spending Money
7. Freelance
8. Get a Girlfriend/Boyfriend
9. Start Your Own Company
10. Go On Vacation
11. Update Your Profiles on Social Networking Sites (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.)

Actually, I have to add a twelfth point that when looking back at my career, I think is ultra important:

*Make yourself indisposable and your skill-set scarce. If your job doesn’t directly align, effect or impact a company’s bottom line (in a positive way) – change that. The only way an employee can keep a job these days is if she or he is creating, igniting or innovating a new way to make money and is core, I mean CORE to that company’s business strategy, including revenue, core product(s) or operations. Also, a person has to create scarcity around themselves and their skill-set. That is to say, she or he needs to stand out and become a thought leader at a company; create a reputation for being an expert, even better, THE expert or “Go-To” person representing a crucial part of a business and the operations and success of that business.