Thread regarding Citrix Systems Inc. layoffs

A reminder to all when it comes to dealing with recruiters (specially in South Florida): http://www.thelayoff.com/citrix-systems/post/5710363148419072

@Anonymous65782 - con't. The important thing is to let go of the idea of finding a permanent position with full benefits. There are not that many in Florida. The important thing, then is to simply get a job that pays enough to keep the same quality of life. And that job might be a contracting job with limited benefits, or a perm position with a reduced salary (but with benefits, vacation/PTO, health care and matching 401k.) And assume that the jobs are temporary, 6 months, 1 year to 2 years at most.

@Anonymous65782 - The bulk of the work in South Florida is enterprise development (and some mobile development). Primary technologies are Java Enterprise Stack, followed by .NET and Python (and iOS for mobile, with some Android.) Most of the work is contracting jobs (with partial benefits from the contracting agencies.)

@Anonymous65782 - better companies? Hard to say since the area is crappy. There is nothing like Citrix in terms of salaries, benefits and relative decent work ours. With that said, Ultimate Software seems to be the best option out there. Other alternatives are TLO, Lexis Nexis, Emerson Network Power (Avocent), Harris (which re-hired all the GD engineers laid off General Dynamics Sunrise Facility), even Motorola Mobility and Solutions (they are hiring surprisingly). There is also JM Family and Office Depot (web/enterprise contracting jobs, though.)

Cisco colleague is right. Layoffs are terrible, but we also have to put things in perspective. Citrix was and still is a good company. The important thing to remember is that layoffs are a constant. IBM is having them, Cisco too. Even venerable defense contractors. Unless you are working for Amazon or Google, you can bet you are at risk of a layoff... ALWAYS. So the important take-away from all of this is to only be loyal to yourself, and perhaps to your immediate manager if you have a good relationship with them. After that, all bets are off because you and I (and our immediate managers) are just numbers on a spreadsheet. The longer you are in a company, the greater the probability of experiencing a layoff. As I mentioned in another post, plan to see a turmoil every 4 years, be ready to walk off with a plan B and C firmly in your hands. Constantly see what's out there and practice interviews, even if you are not planning to take one.

Take pride that you worked for Citrix, and count your blessings because it is a really good company (you would not believe the kind of crap that is out there.) Use that prestige of having worked with a blue chip tech company like Citrix to your advantage when looking for a job. Be mindful that instability is there for all of us everywhere you go. That is good. But don't let that turn into sour grapes either because that will impair your ability to transition into some other job. Good luck.

@Anonymous65719 What are some better companies in S. FL with respect to technology? I need to know so that at least I can have some options to look to for my next step.

I do like my job and the people I work with, because of my tenure I'd get a very nice package. If Teflon John (CEO) and his incompetent executives want me out it's going to cost them. Cisco's fiscal year ends around July so I'd expect to that by August I'll be on the other side.

Yep! What the buy below said! I made the cut this time around, but I'm already interviewing with better and smaller companies here in S. FL. Tired of this cycle and children in charge. I got laid off in 2009, then came back 2 years ago... I should have knows better :P

Hi Cisco colleague - I went through both the 2009 and 2015 layoffs. Got lucky both times. But I've had it. I'm not staying around for the next layoff. I'm curious as to why you are staying? Life is too short to work for terrible employers.