While tech sector employment remains strong, that doesn’t mean everyone in the channel has been able to avoid getting pinked-slipped this year.
AT&T, Lenovo, SAP and Oracle are among companies in the channel that have shed workers during the first half of the year as part of a cost-cutting strategy and/or business transformation. And according to CompTIA, telecommunications continues shedding workers, cutting an estimated 500 jobs last month.
The good news? The unemployment rate for technology jobs across the United States dropped to a 20-year low of 1.3 percent in May as hiring gains were recorded in both the tech sector and across the economy, providing opportunities for displaced workers.
Lets focus on one key phrase " unemployment rate for technology jobs across the United States dropped to a 20-year low of 1.3 percent in May"
Now is the perfect time to grab a serverance package and check out of big red which is now big black. Black? Oracle changed its iconic red color to some sort of dark grey black thing? Whatever, just another sign of the lack of genius as Oracle fades away.
So I worked the system and picked up a package, got an new job and I am super happy. Here is how I did it.
Rule number 1: Don't perform
Don't answer emails, and if you do, be sure you wait at least 72 hours. Palm work off on your coworkers, and especially your boss. If your manager (you get a new one all the time) asks you how you are doing or why you are behind its the perfect opportunity to complain and ask for help. Give tasks to your manager and ask him to assign large portion of your work to co workers.
Rule number 2: Don't participate
Don't socialize, don't show up for dinners or company outings. Stay out of the office unless its absolutely necessary. When you do show up take the opportunity to take an extremely long lunch. During a work meeting excuse yourself to go to the bathroom. Take calls in the hallway, slip out and return just as the meeting concludes. If you do have to go to the office be sure to take a long lunch and then go to a movie. Show up at the end of the day and apologize for having to run errands. Make that a frequent habit.
Rule number 3: Complain about your manager
Any manager loves to hear his boss ask him about the negative feedback he got from one of his own subordinates. This should be an informal thing, if you get a chance to meet your managers boss be sure to say hello and when you get a chance roll your eyes when asked how things are going. "Gee I wish my manager would actually listen or help out, that guy is never around." That's a winner statement as it will definitely get back to your manager and you can immediately start assigning him work. It feeds back into rule number 1.
Rule Number 4: Be more costly than your peers
Do everything you can to get extra pay. If you need to travel or have the opportunity to do so rack up those miles. Eat expensive dinners and max the daily limit. If you can get overtime do so. Try and get at least 10 hours week after week... and most of that should be related to your travel time.
I think rule number 4 did it for me more than anything else. Best of luck. If you follow these 4 simple rules you should be able to snag that package, get a 30 day vacation and start a new job!