Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

Short Guide to Help You Decide If Relo Is Right For You

Here's one guy's take on this move vs. don't move.

ACCEPT:

If you are a L2 or L3 with little or no experience outside of AT&T. As in, you joined out of high school, military service, incomplete college, or an online degree
If you are in a role/job title in which you do not meet the minimum qualifications. As in, AT&T calls you a PM but you have never actually managed a project or if they call you an engineer but lack the qualifications to work on a L1 NOC.
If your role recommends an advanced degree but you never completed the undergrad.
If your 'industry experience' means that you are familiar with most of AT&T's products.
If you feel that your job at AT&T challenges your mental abilities.
Or, the inverse - If you feel that AT&T is a cake job and you feel like you get paid for doing nothing.
If you accidentally/purposefully took credit for work or ideas that weren't actually yours.
Finally, if you believe that losing your job at AT&T would make you unemployable at the salary that AT&T has shackled you with.
If you answer yes to any of those, you should consider relo. You are the kind of person AT&T wants.

REJECT:

If you have at least 1 prior position working in your chosen field with 3+ years of experience prior to AT&T.
If your supervisor has ever disparaged formal education or prior experience.
If you do not feel challenged by your role and consider that to be a 'bad thing'.
If the idea of fighting for office space reminds you of being back in kindergarten.
If you're tired of having to explain technology basics to your coworkers and managers.
If you feel that AT&T puts dividend checks before employees or customers.
If you're tired of hearing the story about that time your id--t director almost played a significant role in that billion dollar startup.
If you're tired of inept leaders who frequently remind you that Bill Gates, Michael Dell, and Steve Jobs didn't have college degrees all while they rely on chatgpt to make up for their 8th grade writing skills.
If you are competent, confident, and employable.
If you answer Yes to most of these, you should hit the REJECT button. Take the package, brush up on soft skills. Practice interviews without using "AT&T" in every answer. Don't talk to your leadership any more than you have to. You aren't under any obligation to train your replacement. "I support my team and my customers" is a perfectly reasonable answer. If your director or VP can't explain what you're working on, tough luck, buddy. Guess that's another thing you don't have in common with Dell or Zuck.

Just remember, if you are willing to let your employer dictate your very life, you are EXACTLY the person THEY are looking for. Make no mistake, you aren't valuable to them. Just the opposite, you are a peg to fill a hole. You are table stakes. And yes, you can be L3, L4, or higher and still be table stakes. Need I remind you of our engineering SVPs who clearly weren't technical but they fit a particular hole for a period of time.

I've made my decision. I hope this helps you make yours.


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| 1282 views | | 8 replies (last January 18) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1kf16r7jk

8 replies (most recent on top)

I think it is a simple calculation. Leadership made it clear that, going forward, the company wasn't about loyalty.

It was about commitment.

On one hand, relocating is a clear expression of commitment. That being said, your decision to pack up and move your life for this company should be based on your perception of how committed the company is to you.

Commitment is a two-way street. If the company shows little commitment to you, my guess is it would be foolish to reward them with the level of commitment involved in packing up your life and moving to another city.

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Post ID: @n1+1kf16r7jk

Look ya'll. I'm not saying this to be disparaging. These are just the facts as I see them. I don't trust our leadership. Tell me, what have they done for non-bargained staff in the last 15 years? Think about it, we spend more time trying to protect ourselves from the quarterly quell than we do actually working. How much time is wasted by people trying to decide if they should relo? How much time spent worrying about being able to feed your family or pay off those debts?

This is the reality of AT&T. The cavalier may tell you that they are prepared to sacrifice their personal lives to stay a part of something they believe in. That's fine. But, ask yourself, what is that something that AT&T stands for that you believe in? Greed? Nepotism? Extortion? Ambivalence?

I don't believe in those things. I'm willing to take a pay cut. There are plenty of places that work from a position of honor and respect for customers and employees alike. This is not one of them.

That's all. I'm done here.

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Post ID: @az+1kf16r7jk

You should only move if you are under 30, open to physical relationships with superiors for advancement, and speak fluent Hindi.

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Post ID: @ay+1kf16r7jk

Well written.

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Post ID: @ax+1kf16r7jk

Excellent take, and so very true.

I like your style, and wish you the best in everything!

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Post ID: @ac+1kf16r7jk

@a4 You are one of the lucky ones & I hope your luck continues. Most others I know that moved for this sinking ship were laid off after 6 months or longer. Now they are stuck in a bad position.

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Post ID: @a9+1kf16r7jk

I was’t able to land employment anywhere else in the two years I searched. This is why I moved to Dallas last year. It was the right decision for my family. It has been good.

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Post ID: @a4+1kf16r7jk

Packing my bags. Thanks for the help!

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Post ID: @a3+1kf16r7jk

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