T is really bad at downsizing, so you'd best get going while the going is good.
It's no secret that T is in big trouble. The company will be forcedto cut its formerly-reliable dividends in half and its newly appointed CEO may not be who you think will be. The stock is one of the worst performing stocks for a company this size, since cutting jobs became a routine, we will lose about 18% of the workforce in the future, not counting the sale of DTV. if a buyer can be located of course …It's not a pretty picture.
- Wake up and smell the (stale) coffee.
- Activate as many of your outside contacts as possible.
Getting laid off from a big company like AT&T creates a huge career challenge for three reasons:
You're now carrying the stigma of a loser company. "I worked for AT&T" might have impressed people in the past but eventually (i.e. sooner than you think), you'll be admitting, rather than bragging, that you once there.
- Take the package, if offered.
When they ask for volunteers, who in return for leaving of their own free will receive a "golden parachute" usually consisting of extra compensation. If you're offered such a parachute, take it, and RUN to a Career Oriented company.
unfortunately AT&T is not one of them anymore.