Anybody that was part of the SIRP in August:
Have you found your next job? How long did it take? Did you stay in the same area/industry?
Are you still looking? Are you planning to stay in the same area/industry?
To those who have decided to retire - congratulations!
I’m a long term (over 20 years) GSR from the April cuts in Model E area. I basically took
A couple of months off (I. E. May, June, and July), then started seriously looking in September. Got an offer the last week in October and took it, starting the 2nd week of November. Best part is I was even able to get a small raise.
Started my Ford career as a software developer, but ended up in project management for years so consider myself non technical. Nonetheless if you have transferable skills, you can get another job.
Former LL6 affected in August. Had 2 offers by mid September, one from another OEM. Been working for a month in a non-automotive tech company, trying to keep the details out. Salary a little lower than Ford but upward mobility, but less stress and they don't layoff folks.
Market seems mixed, if you have either good product skills or translatable skills in quality, PMT, PVT etc you can land a gig pretty quickly. Good luck to all.
That might be a reason why you are having such a difficult time finding employment. Most other companies hire competent individuals who can do actual technical work and who keep their skills up to date. As an LL6, your technical skills may be lagging and you may not even realize it. In addition, if you [not your subordinates] failed to take ownership of a project, then you're unable to articulate what you've been doing at Ford for the past decade. All of this becomes apparent in your resume, cover letter, and interview, etc. Have some introspection and think about what you've really managed to accomplish at Ford and don't be in denial if you've been coasting all along as LL6 off the backs of your subordinates.
I’m an LL6 who retired from Ford a few years ago and can understand why LL6s might have a harder time landing a new job. Some people are promoted as a part of the friends and family plan, others are promoted because they’re good. After being promoted you’re moved around every couple years or so and it’s not long before you don’t have deep knowledge about anything. Other companies don’t want to pay six figures for a person who knows a little about many things and a lot about nothing.
Former LL6 still looking. I guess I’m one of those who did t do any work.
All the GSR that were cut in April and August managed to find something within 2 months. Most of them were contributors and did actual work. Of the LL6 and LL5 that were cut most are still searching. Some of the LL6 who have managed to find a job took a lower paying position equivalent to GSR levels at other OEMs and suppliers because their severance ran out.
Good to know @1hkq+1jy9TSj0. Glad you have landed!!!
Many of the laid off are taking remote jobs with contract firms. It has been interesting to hear that the hiring firms do serious technical interviews - not the ford personality mumbo jumbo interview. It has also been interesting to hear that hiring firms do some serious dr-g screening and that Mary Jane and Booze are screened for.
So I was a GSR8 cut in August and been interviewing steadily ever since. Interestingly all jobs around town are either on-site or hybrid so those of you left enjoy it while you can.
I literally just got hired at one of the other OEM’s on Friday! My initial contact was early September so the process takes an incredibly long time. I had a phone screen w/HR, a automated video interview, and then a Teams interview with my boss and his boss. Oh and just to let you know how backward Ford is - all of those interviews were scheduled via an automated text bot. That’s some next level sh-t!
The great part is it’s a better job, more money, BIG bonus increase, closer to home, and the health insurance costs 1/2 of what Ford’s cost!
Sucks to have to go back to work at age 60 (no pension) but I didn’t want to start living off 30% deprecated money when the economy crashes next year.
@gtc+1jy9TSj0 All the supervisors/manager types that I know are still looking.
The working types that I know all found jobs in 2 weeks -> 2 months (i.e. those with portable up to date skills and recent use of the skills — think IT, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, chemical engineers etc.)
Most companies prefer to promote from within and to fill corporate strategy/architecture type rolls from internal candidates who have performed working roles in the company. When you think about it, it makes good business sense.
The one worker bee I know who has NOT found another job, it is all due to his attitude. He interviewed with a college classmate of mine. I learned he told the interviewer what he would and would not do, as in he would work 7-3 and no weekends, no on-call and he didn’t want to train up others. The guy is a DBA, on-call and weekend upgrades are par for the course. 🤷🏻♂️. I have a feeling he doesn’t really want another job.
Thanks for the perspective. I'm glad you landed somewhere that is a good fit and a step up.
It's interesting to hear how these things can happen quickly or they can really take time.
I'm still employed by FoMoCo - but once SIRP happened I started really trying to find employment elsewhere.
I received one offer from a Ford competitor but turned it down due to the salary being lower than I was willing to go.
I have had steady phone screenings and a few other interviews - but none have turned into job offers.
I am a productive GSR8 - some high achiever ranking in the last few years. I moved from a stem engineering role recently and into a strategic role. I'm definitely getting more hits from the engineering job market than the strategy market. Maybe strategy is viewed more like the 'fake work' that another poster described below...? I don't know...
Overall I am finding the process going pretty slow. I am happy for the SIRP'd that were able to find new jobs quickly. I really feel for the ones that are trying to land somewhere before their severance runs out.
Hey @jmn+1jy9TSj0
I'm curious, you mentioned that all the people you know that were cut are still looking. Did they fit the description you mentioned about Ford workers - either not being productive, or doing fake work, or being LL6s without reports, etc? Or so you think the market is just tough for their specific backgrounds?
I was cut in 2020. It took me more than a year to land another job (seeking jobs in 2021) but it was a significant improvement in position and pay. (I got pay raises twice within 3 months)
So luck is important too.
Two people were hit in our area in August
One took two weeks rest; then created a resume applied for three jobs; got two offers; started working. Total time 4 weeks. This person was a GSR8 who worked hard and contributed.
The second took two months rest; then created a resume and applied for many jobs; had many interviews; no offers; still looking. This person was a non-supervisory LL6. His protector LL5 was no longer in his reporting structure. He rarely did any work in the past 9 years.
This is the pattern I have observed with family / friends / acquaintances / frenemies who have been cut from Ford. Those who actually worked at Ford (this excludes Ford specific work/fake work) found a job within 2 weeks -> 2 months. Supervisors/Managers who were cut have had a rough road; all that I know who were cut are still looking; some are trying to re-invent themselves as Project Managers via Right Managements PM training.
Best Wishes to all.