That Big Thing

[drwex]

Yesterday (Wednesday) I was informed that my company is eliminating the Human Factors/Usability position, which means I'm on the hunt for a new job. The terms were quite generous. The decision was made at the top level of the company and both my boss and grand-boss disagreed with it.

I've updated my resume and will send a copy if you leave me an email - I can also share it as a Google doc. I'm working on my portfolio site, which is woefully out of date, and will reactivate a formal search after that.

The rest, as they say, is details.


The environment created by, and my relationship with, my immediate boss were two of the major factors causing me to stay at CRD. He has used words like "excellent" and "outstanding" to describe my recent work. There's nothing in this decision that's related to what I did or did not do. On the one hand that makes me feel better; it's good when people like what I do. On the other hand I feel worse because if I do excellent work and still am let go... what the heck!? I have a rampant mix of anger, frustration, and confusion running through my head. And of course I'm pretty upset.

Formally I'm now on a 4-week paid finish-up-work period. I'm allowed to job hunt and take reasonable time for that. They've asked me to schedule things for beginning and end of day, of course. If I still have not found something in that time I'm eligible for three weeks' severance pay once I clean out my desk.



I've also been officially encouraged to try to find another position within CRD. Realistically there's nothing else in development for me, but Product Management has a lot of overlap with what I do, and has the major bonus of regular contact with customers and users. This has been my major complaint here all year. On the one hand it'd be nice not to have to do a full-blown job change. On the other hand, do I really want to continue working for a company that thinks it doesn't need usability in its product?

It would also produce an odd blip in my resume if I continued in such a position for a long time. A year or two wouldn't be bad and it makes a good story in certain ways.



Even with the full period over which CRD is covering me it likely means being out in the cold for holidays and having to restrict spending. I expect it'll take me 3 months or so to find something really good. The job market is active but my skill set is pretty specialized. I've found it hard to get hired between Thanksgiving and New Years but I'm told that's changing as companies are now trying to line up people for early-January starts due to having fiscal and benefits calendars more aligned with the conventional calendar. We'll see.


As always, leads and pointers appreciated. I am not considering uprooting the family at this point, so I'm looking for local or commutable things.

Comments

[ciani.livejournal.com]

What if you could get into the PM group and give it a year? It could be that during that time the company realizes they made a mistake, and if they don't you can wait on your big job search until a better time of the year.

[ckd]

While this was some time ago, I got hired for my current job between Thanksgiving and Christmas with a start date of mid-January, so it certainly happens. (And that in academia, where the fiscal year starts July 1.)

In any case, (a) good thoughts sent your way and (b) I will keep my eyes open for possible positions for you.

[mizarchivist]

Eit. At least it wasn't a leave-right-now thing. My sympathy.

[dreams-of-wings.livejournal.com]

Oh suck.
I'm sorry. Hang in there!

[klingonlandlady.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear it...
Thats been my view of working for companies in this day and age though, that one's job security has nothing to do with the quality of your work or even your value to the organization, and everything to do with high-level departmental politics and snap judgments on the part of top execs. This is why company loyalty is now nil, because companies exhibit no trustworthiness toward employees. They can say "all is well" one day and "big layoff/change in direction" the next.

[points.livejournal.com]

Sounds like the lateral shift to extend your usable job hunt period (and stretch some skills) might not be a bad move.

Goooogle

[ringrose.livejournal.com]

Last I knew, Google was hiring for their Cambridge branch.

Re: Goooogle

[drwex]

In my experience Google has not hired any UX/IxD people on this coast. If you know differently that'd be very interesting.

[drwex]

That was my thinking.

[drwex]

Yes, that's certainly more true than it used to be.

[drwex]

Thank you, I'm trying. I expect the next couple of weeks to be OK, then we'll see.

[drwex]

Thank you.

[drwex]

Thank you.

[drwex]

Could be.

Re: Goooogle

[ringrose.livejournal.com]

I suspect they want people who are smart and will learn. How much could it hurt to look?

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

Oof, that's no fun, even with support & decent terms. My sympathies, and I wish you muchmuchmuch luck!

[rintrahroars.livejournal.com]

Argh. Sympathies, hon. I think I'd suggest finding another job within the company, if you can stomach it, while you begin a search for THE job you want at THE company you want to work for.

Just my two cents.

[awfief.livejournal.com]

*hugs* whatever happens, take the three weeks' severance. Get it in writing that they'll give it to you. It really shouldn't be dependent on whether or not you have a job, but if it is, don't have a job then. Sign the papers the next day or whatever. You earned it!

Meanwhile, as for whether or not to stay with the company -- change or no, will you be *happy* in that new position? Forget money or anything else. Will you enjoy going to work?

[guenpanther.livejournal.com]

Eek! Sorry to hear about the layoff.

Sending positive karma your way.

[rednikki.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. Everything I know right now about jobs available is out here, but if I hear anything about stuff in Boston, I'll let you know.

[hlmt.livejournal.com]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! I can't believe it! I'm so sorry!

[kissoflife.livejournal.com]

Oh no. I wish you every bit of luck in the lateral or other contemplated moves, work neighbor!

[drwex]

Thank you.

[drwex]

Ayep. Working on it.

[drwex]

Indeed. I shall have to ask about getting things in writing.

[drwex]

Thank you.

[drwex]

yeah, if you guys were hiring a remote group it'd be fun.

[drwex]

Your scream of support is appreciated. Thanks babe.

[drwex]

Thank you.

Re: Goooogle

[imvfd.livejournal.com]

Do you know any Google people? If not, talk to entrochan since she's got a friend working deep in the bowels of the local branch. At the very least she (the friend) would be able to tell you what Google is currently looking for locally. I also agree with ringrose that they are likely to be mainly interested in whether you are smart and ready to learn more than anything else.

[imvfd.livejournal.com]

My two cents as to continuing at CRD. If they had said "Sorry about eliminating your position. But we really like your work, so here's another position for you." then staying on at CRD would make sense. Maybe. As it is, you (quite rightly) are concerned about continuing to work at a company that doesn't seem to put much value in the usability of it's product and the company (as an entity) doesn't feel much in the way of obligation towards you. Yes, it's great that you are being officially encouraged to apply but why should you have to work at staying at the company? They like you, have them do the work. You could tell CRD that if they want you, they need to offer you a position, otherwise, you're looking elsewhere.

[drwex]

Thanks for the input. I am looking elsewhere regardless. I'm just probably going to include one CRD option in the search.