#networking

I’ve decided to focus on professional development.

Currently working on reducing my handicap, improving course management, and networking aggressively at the 19th hole.

I wonder how many of the jobs posted online are actually going to be filled. You can spend hours applying on LinkedIn and still get absolutely nowhere. The people I know who are finding work seem to have an inside contact or someone willing to put their name forward. Without that, this job market feels pretty discouraging.

folks, the news about the early retirement should be a wake-up call for everyone in tech. that's roughly a third of the workforce, and whether it's voluntary exits or layoffs, the message is clear. msft and other companies are looking for ways to cut costs while pouring billions into AI & data centers (and automation). I think this trend is only going to accelerate.

my 2 c... first know your severance package and exactly how long you can survive without a paycheck. second keep at least 6 mo of living expenses saved. 3rd update your resume and linkedin NOW, not after you get laid off. finally start building your prof network outside your co. talk to people and contribute to open source, share your projects on github (very iportant), and build some credibility before you actually need it.

stop collecting useless certs and start building real AI projects. build something - a RAG app, an agent, or some automation thatsolves a problem. employers want to see what you can do not just what courses you've completed. Having a solid portfolio and knowing the right people can make a huge differnce when you're suddenly looking for work.

if you're on H1B, you need to take this even more seriously, you don't just risk losing your paycheck, you risk uprooting your entire family or whoever depends on u: your kids, your home, your immigration status, everything can be affected. i'd say put 10x the effort into networking, saving money, and preparing backup options. don't assume your co will protect you. the biggest mistake is thinking you'll deal with all this when it happens. by then you're already behind. the job market is changing FAST, and being loyal to one company isn't a career startegy anymore. Build your options now!!! even if your job feels completely secure. not trying to scare anyone, just sharing some practial advice.

the uncertaintity in tech isn't going away anytime soon and being prepared is a lot better than scrambling after getting that unexpected meeting invite.

Every time I ask about job hunting, someone tells me to get active on LinkedIn. I've tried using it, but I haven't seen any results, and sending messages to strangers feels awkward, to put it mildly. I don't want to spend all my time pretending to network if it doesn't lead anywhere. Has anyone had real success finding work through the site?

Anything on service techs/linetechs in NER?

If so, Would love to start making my next move

Bryan: "Thanks Paul H for all you've done. We searched far and wide for the top talent in the world, and to my surprise I only had to look as far as people I directly know and used to work with to identify the absolute best, Ken T."

PH overlapped Bryan's companies 15yrs, KT 18yrs.

Our values: Put [my] people first. Solve what matters [and what matters is my pal's yacht size]. Best and preferred place to work [for my friends]. Win [$M for my buds] with excellence. Advance [my c-suite bros salaries] together [because our pay doesn't look as ridiculous to the board if we all balloon together].

A new group in Toronto is helping individuals navigate job loss through weekly hikes. Founder Tony Zhang, who was laid off from Meta, was inspired by a similar initiative in California. The Toronto Layoff Hiking Group provides a space for people to connect and share experiences outside of traditional employment. Members discuss their career changes, hobbies, and future aspirations during these outings. This initiative offers a unique form of support amidst widespread layoffs in Canada.

Toronto, Ontario

https://www.actionhub.com/news/2026/10/19/toronto-layoff-hiking-group-turns-unemployment-into-trail-time/

Who walks D2D?

For those who were laid off within the past year or so, were you able to find a new opportunity?

Look at me! I am starting a new role and the company has relocated me multiple times! Strange posts about how great everything is because someone has relocated d times in y years. I guess people feel the need to make sure everyone is aware of their mobility. The self promotion is a bit over the top.

Anyone still here from Wells Fargo Financial to mentor me and help me get ahead?

LOL

You can't assume good work will automatically put you in the right place. Speak up about what you want, build relationships, and make sure people know what you actually contribute. Just doing good work has long stopped being enough.

https://career.cornell.edu/events/2026/09/28/canceled-wells-fargo-corporate-investment-banking-cornell-university-information-session/

me wonder bout connections

A former Grubhub employee created a talent network after being laid off. This network lists hundreds of former employees seeking new employment opportunities. The tracker helps recruiters find candidates with specific skills and backgrounds. Many individuals have successfully found new jobs through this initiative. The program highlights the importance of community support during workforce transitions.

Chicago, Illinois

https://www.businessinsider.com/irvin-thevaranjan-supports-grubhub-layoffs-recovery-efforts-2026-9

There are some specific steps to take that might be beneficial to some of us on here:

1. If you still have floating holiday, use it ASAP
2. Check if your state requires payment of PTO. If you don’t take it, it may disappear
3. Be sure your manager is aware of any protected status you have. That may positively impact your severance
4. Know the cost of COBRA
5. Build the relationships that will be valuable to you if you’re laid off - references, networks for future jobs, and future business contacts are invaluable. Personal phone numbers and email addresses are crucial
6. Build those LinkedIn connections now, before a layoff
7. Do NOT do anything the company might consider crossing a line of taking confidential information. I’ll let you figure out how to navigate that!
8. Any health or ancillary benefits that you want to take advantage of, do it NOW. The year is wrapping up quickly anyhow.
9. Max out your 401k if you’ve got the ability
   10, Make sure you have the HR number and any benefits numbers or addresses.
10. Get your information out there on LinkedIn and other sites, and keep your status as “Open to Work”. It’s easier to get a job when you have a job, or so the saying goes.
11. Keep your head up, don’t doomscroll on this site, and try to avoid too much gossip with coworkers - Optum is just a paycheck, not the meaning of our lives.

I hope this helps - it’s a partial list, and others might have additions etc.

Let me get this right, as a reward for busting your a-s off all year round, closing multi-million dollar deals and rising to the top 1% of all sales reps, you get a 4 day Hawaii 'vacation' which you spend locked up in a resort 'networking' with your corporate programmed coworkers? Sounds like a dream

Everyone keeps telling me LinkedIn is the way to go but I have gotten absolutely nowhere with it. The idea of messaging random strangers just to network makes me want to give up entirely. Has anyone actually landed something decent from that site?

How can I get in the gravy train?

Starting to look heavily externally and here are some of my learnings so far.

• It’s a tough market. You better be applying to roles where it’s a 1:1, meaning you can definitely do that role or are very experienced. Unfortunately not the time for a career pivot if you’re unhappy with the work you do.

• In situations where I have successfully got an interview (3x in the last couple of years when I’ve just passively applied), I have had strong referrals.

This last one is more just something I do.

• Put yourself out there in the 3D world. Go to the career fair or external networking event. I’m willing to bet a lot of people can sympathize with the experience of working at a company with such low morale and poor leadership.

What am I missing? What would you add? I’m serious about getting the he-l out of here in the near future.

Most of you are doing it wrong.No need to do your work. Just join all the LinkedIn activities and get your picture taken. Always the same people there and they never get cut.

One more time-no need to do work. Just join all the useless events

So I am still bitter about my time at USB Business Banking. I was recruited away from my previous employer, a solid place, to work on the Greatest Product Ever Imagined - Business Essentials!! Told the opportunities here were endless! Well wouldn’t you know that after almost 2 years I was part of a RIF…BE was released so why did they need me or most of the others on my team?? (50’s, white woman, everyone left on my team India , but I digress). I’m still pi---d that I was lied to and basically lured away with lies only to be laid off right before Christmas.
I used my network and landed a role before my severance ended, and I was not sad I was laid off. I was pi---d. Anyway, I’m still at that new job, it’s not with a big bank but is in finance, fully remote, and it’s solid and stable.

I guess my point is my bitterness lingers, but after reading about the cr-p you all are enduring here, I’m so glad I was laid off. Despite what you see about the market, there are opportunities! They may be with small, unknown businesses, but they’re out there. Nurture your network. It’s how I landed my new position and I’m convinced it’s how I will land in any future positions.

Sometimes, the grass is greener.

Curious to what people have done to successfully find employment elsewhere. Does LinkedIn really work? I see a lot of job postings on there, but also lots of applicants. Are recruiter/head hunters still the best route? What has worked and what hasn't. Thanks in advance and hope for helpful responses.

For years, Pure Storage was an also ran compared to XtremIO. Occasionally some disgruntled EMC/Dell employee would wind up there.
Now, I’m retired now, but I see a lot of former Dell employees announcing on Linked in that they are now with EverPure. Congrats and best of luck on a long career.

I reached out to former coworkers after I left and received nothing in return. Months of silence. Then suddenly they were the ones asking for job leads and I had zero incentive to respond. I realized all of us made the same mistake. If you want help from people at some point, make sure to maintain those connections even when you don't need anything.

Looking to strike a more positive note on what is in our control....

1. Update accounts to you personal email

• Health
• Fidelity

1. Get all documents you need from the system

• Paystubs, end of year tax forms
• Vacation balance screenshots
• Employee Performance Reviews
• Any other personal documentation like 1-1 notes

1. Get prepared financially

• Start cutting expenses (if not already doing so)
• Have cash available for expenses - would say as much as 6 months - 1 year - market is terrible

1. Get prepared for what is next

• Get resume ready, start applying NOW
• Get your LinkedIn ready
• Get list of contacts from your coworkers who can be references, maybe able to get you referrals - start networking - that is the way most folks get a job

And most importantly take care of yourself

1. You are important, you matter to your loved ones - to the company you are a row in the employee database to delete at will
2. This is not your fault, the company has made a bet on AI infrastructure and there is nothing you can/could have done to avoid this
3. Your performance is NOT a factor - superstars with Exceeds/Outstanding have already been let go
4. Everything is temporary and a phase, tomorrow will be better - keep up your spirits

If you have any other positive suggestions please do add them to help everyone through this difficult phase

It's difficult to tell when the next large surplus event will happen, We've heard rumblings that something will happen around the next 30-60 days. Keep in mind that there seems to be defined strategy as to who is being selected for surplus during the June-July lay-offs I was taken 100% by surprise when it happened to my team, 4 people were let go and 2 of those held top 10 rankings for YTD sales performance across the entire organization -the common denominator was that 3 of the 4 were the oldest and most tenured members of the team. The best thing you can do is max out your 401K as much as possible, and figure out a way to balance your PTO -as you'll be paid for any earned unused PTO, keep up to date on your health, medical, dental, and vision, and manage all the reimbursement and award account credits money you can in order to squeeze every dollar from T that you can. Also network internally and externally to help position yourself if you are surplussed, most of the people that I know who've been laid-off and found work quickly did so through networking, contacts and referrals rather than head-hunters, or resume blasts. The surplus model is to serve you notice with 12-14 or so days left in the month with a surplussed employee's last day on payroll being the first of that next month where you'll keep all of your insurances until the end of that month, then go on COBRA or Medicare if you have no other options. Any severance less about 30% in Fed, SS, Medicare taxes will be paid out around the closest pay-cycle date 45 days from when you sign your letter.

Bumped from @a9+1kzycbrxv.

There are a lot of jobs out there and employers looking for people. Make the chanage. You will be glad you did.

Come and bring your friends.

https://www.imageevent.org/networking-events/networking-event/can-hiring-event

Don't wait until you're desperate to start networking. Start while you still have a job.

Story by Melody Wilding, Contributor
August 9

Families pass down all kinds of useful ideas, like "be honest" and "treat others well."

But as the author of "Managing Up" and an executive coach to leaders at top organizations like Google, Amazon, NATO and more, I've seen how well-intentioned career advice absorbed from a young age can work against you.

None of these "rules" came from a bad place. They're simply a reflection of a more stable work world that rewarded loyalty. But that world no longer exists.

Here are five ideas that may have been drilled into you growing up that could sabotage your success — and what to do instead.

1. 'Don't get too big for your britches'
Staying humble is crucial to some extent. Nobody wants to work with a colleague who steals credit for everything. Plus, listening to others before you assert yourself can prevent major disagreements.

Take modesty too far, though, and you become invisible. To avoid coming off as big-headed, you may default to saying "Oh, it was all a team effort," even when your contributions were key. Or maybe you skip sharing a win because it feels like bragging.

But leaders aren't mind readers. They'll tap the person whose accomplishments they see, and who speaks up and makes it clear they want in on a certain project.

What to do instead: In your next one-on-one with your boss, ask what's coming down the pike in the next quarter. Then offer yourself as a resource, perhaps to spearhead meetings or put together a proposal. This move creates a win-win: You're solving a problem for your leader while also earning exposure.

2. 'Always be grateful for the opportunity'
You might've heard this in statements like "Just be grateful you have a job" or "You're lucky to be there." It's easy to convince yourself this logic is 100% true all the time as layoffs surge and more people in your life struggle to find work.

But the flip side is that you start treating the bare minimum as generous. You might accept a lower title or salary because asking for more seems greedy, while your less-experienced colleague earns more. Or you might stay at a job you dislike out of fear.

Gratitude and self-advocacy can co-exist. You deserve to be compensated for the value you bring.

What to do instead: Quit communicating your work in terms of tasks and focus on outcomes instead. You can point to the results you're getting and express thanks for the opportunity at the same time.

For example, instead of "I coordinated with two departments," try: "It was great having the chance to work across sales and engineering. With the new feature request process, I was able to unlock $100,000 in revenue for the company."

3. 'Just keep the peace'
Your parents may have intended to shield you from conflict and ensure you had plenty of positive work relationships with this message. But "keeping the peace" can morph into people-pleasing, especially for women. You might end up stuffing down your opinions or being overly accommodating so others feel comfortable.

The trouble is that the longer you stay quiet, the more entrenched bad ideas and behavior become. Your excessive agreeableness may also be interpreted by decision-makers as lacking conviction, preventing you from getting promoted.

Hard conversations are where your credibility is built. People respect those who can push back on an idea without making it personal.

What to do instead: Learning to diplomatically speak your mind is non-negotiable if you want to be seen as leadership material. And you can do it without burning bridges.

Try resetting a boundary. If you've been shouldering a process that should belong to a peer, for instance, you might say, "While I can't own this beginning to end, I'll put together full documentation for your team to take it over."

4. 'Do your job well and everything else will fall into place'
When your parents were rising through the ranks, mastering your craft may have been enough to succeed. That's changed. You still need excellent technical skills, but talent on its own won't distinguish you from your peers.

The highest performers know that expertise must be paired with political savvy. You have to consistently assess: Who knows my work, and how much do they trust me?

What to do instead: Turn a group of neutral colleagues into allies invested in your growth. Instead of bullishly pushing through an idea, get key decision-makers' input to shape it. Ask them to fill out a survey, comment on a draft plan, or make introductions. They'll feel greater ownership in the final product, and greater investment in you.

5. 'Figure it out yourself'
If the belief that self-reliance means survival instilled initiative in you, then you're probably resourceful and accountable.

But if you internalize this advice to mean that asking for help equals weakness, you'll burn out trying to solve everything solo. Your reliability can eventually stall your career growth, too: Leadership can't promote you because nobody can replace you.

What to do instead: When you need a hand, ask for it in a way that makes your effort visible: "After researching, I've narrowed the options down to X and Y. My hunch is X is better because [your reasoning]. What's your take?"

And when someone brings you a problem, ask questions before immediately jumping to fix it yourself, like "What have you tried so far?" or "What options are you considering?" This builds their capability and confidence, rather than their dependence on you.

Melody Wilding, LMSW is an executive coach, human behavior professor, and author of "Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge."

Was fortunate to eventually land another position. Trying not to take anything for granted and always keep my resume updated. Hope all of you are doing well.

What’s with all these posts/comments telling people to “leave the company” while the same people stay glued to their own seats? As if telling others to quit somehow protects them from annual layoff statistics. It doesn’t. Even people in NSI rank (knowing most outcomes are already decided) trying to hang on in this brutal job market.
Reality check: no matter your “position,” always keep your options and network open. Look for better opportunities so you’re the one choosing your next move, not waiting for someone else to choose it for you. And when something better, whatever “better” means to you shows up, take it.

People keep obsessing over whether layoffs are coming next week or next month, but that's not the right thing to focus on. You can't control when they happen. What you can control is how prepared you are. Update your resume, network, save some money. Once you've done that, the timeline becomes less important. You'll be ready either way.

Of those who were RIFed in December 2025, how many have landed another position? Full-time, part-time or contract? How long did it take you? Cold application or networking?

Or, are you still career hunting? Frustrations and challenges? ATS, AI, etc.?

Or, if you are eligible to retire, did you?

I'm always confused when people say they were caught off guard by layoffs. How? We know layoffs are always a possibility and every single person should act accordingly all the time. Save your money, keep your skills updated, update your resume, network, and keep an eye out on who's currently hiring. Make your own lives easier, folks.