Thread regarding ExxonMobil Corp. layoffs

I was PILed and purposely took my time finding a new job for the following reasons:

1) When else am I going to get a 3-month vacation?
2) I took the first month to get in the right mental space and do some introspection.
3) I’ve attended multiple industry conferences on scholarship! Wouldn’t have been able to do that if I still worked at XOM.
4) It takes a while to get your brand, resume, LinkedIn, etc, done. And even then, you spend hours taking your “finalized” resume and tweaking it to match the job posting to get past the ATS.
5) It also takes a lot of time to network. 70% of jobs are gotten by knowing the right person.

Ahem, speaking as one of those that was let go back in July, I have found a job but I am purposely not updating my LinkedIn precisely bc of that 3 month clause where if I find a job within 3 months, EM can stop paying me.

I also know someone else in the same boat as me. Keep it hush.

Check back in Nov

Give it a week or two, then check back in those folks. The PIL stated your benefits (salary and healthcare) “may” be stopped short of the 3 months if you find new employment. I took the PIL and started a new job a month ago. I’m waiting until after the 3 months to update LinkedIn or tell my old coworkers. A couple others from my group that left are doing the same.

There are good jobs out there; the process is just slow with covid.
Not every industry is in the toilet and not every company has the awful management we have.
I’ve had multiple interviews with 3 companies and it’s looking good.
Glad I’m out before the flood gate opens.

Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are hiring

@eei+17Cz2R2d - Coming off a bit strong there bud. I meant the 10 people that I knew, obviously more than 10 got PIP’d. Also they initiated the connection with me and I know them personally as well.

Job market is always rough before an election but don’t worry you will find out soon.

What a liar. Way more than 10 were PIP’d and it is pathetic you are stalking their LinkedIn pages.

Please keep in mind, too, that some professions simply take longer to land "good" opportunities on average. I would say that the average MBA takes about 6 months to land a job they see as suitable for their career aspirations even when the economy is booming. I wouldn't expect the same for an IT specialist like a developer. Also, some people are taking their first offer due to cash constraints while others are taking the liberty to be more picky. Every circumstance is different and shouldn't be taken as a significant indicator of what your experience will be like.

@k1p - a good resume in 1-2 hours? Must not have much experience to write up. A good resume for an experienced person can take weeks to get right. And applying for and getting the “right” job can take 3-6 months or longer depending on experience.

@fqz+17Cz2R2d - Being contacted is different than actually receiving an offer. I’m also in IT and frequently have recruiters reaching out but most of them ghost you. Then if they do follow up, the next challenge begins of 3+ interview rounds...

Only rough if your knowledge and skills are completely based on O&G. My IT skills are needed in every single industry out there. No problem finding a job if I need to. I get contacted weekly about jumping ship.

@nzu+17Cz2R2d - your logic doesn’t make any sense. I am highly ranked but looking proactively as I don’t know what is to come. I haven’t had a ton of interviews yet.
I don’t think highly ranked in XOM means anything in the outside job market. Keep in mind that the “bottom of barrel” were hired by XOM because they were thought to the “best and brightest” as well. I am not sure how the outside job market can tell any different.

Don't worry, there are many jobs. Be patient. Getting a job is like getting a goal in hockey. Zero goals in first period? Not to worry, you may get 3 goals in the second period. Keep trying. Stay positive. Not worry how long it takes. In the meantime, keep reading, keep growing, improve your skills and knowledge, there are many free training programs, low cost remote training. It will happen. Send resumes everywhere.

@klp+17Cz2R2d it’s more work than you’d think to prepare good resumes, applications, networking with recruiters, etc. these days. Given the huge uptick in LinkedIn activity among EM employees I think there’s still going to be a lot of outward movement to come.

It’s scary, but it’s the harsh reality. Getting a new job is tough.

Another thing may be the sheer number of applicants in the market. For most positions posted on LinkedIn, I see over 200 applicants. Going to be hard to stand out of the all that noise and get noticed by the hiring manager.

Job market is always tough due to healthy competition. There is no need to scare others. If you are stuck in the company and no courage to leave.. be it. The others who exited or secretly planning for an exit are braver than those trapped in the sinkhole. Stay positive, we are better than what exxonmobil think we are, debottleneck it and unleash your true capabilities.

@wne+17Cz2R2d - 4 relocated out, 1 didn’t in regards to those leaving on their own accord. Also clarification on my last post that the Eng, MBA, IT are the ones having a hard time getting a job.

Some companies take forever. It took me about a month also doing the PIP and getting my resume and head in the right space until I started applying. I’ve had 3 interviews and no offers yet, but getting close hopefully. I applied mid August and one company just got back to me setting up an interview- I’ve been “ under consideration” in the system for 2+ months. If you’re willing to move to other places you have more opportunities but some might want to stick around if the spouse has a job here. Thankfully I passed the PIP but I’m just buying time at this point. Most likely the same is happening to others, and their field and specific skills might not have a ton of available jobs. I’m confident all will succeed as long as we continue pushing and applying. Make sure your resume matches the jobs you’re applying to so the automated ATS interview system picks up your resume.

I've known many well ranked people find jobs and resign in the last few weeks. I don't think them being unable to find employment is necessarily an indication of the market. Perhaps those being let go really were bottom of the barrel employees?

@qse+17Cz2R2d - did most people have to relocate out of Houston?

@nqp+17Cz2R2d - These people are mostly engineering, some MBA and IT, so all very in demand fields...on the flip side I know a handful that left on their own accord during all this.

@jkw+17Cz2R2d - Surprisingly, the one person that I know got a job is in their 40s, non-eng. Other folks are mostly early career which is a rough place to be.

I agree with OP that the job market is tough. I know of one PIP who has been applying and not making too much headway. I have applied to a few places ( just in case I get laid off) and haven’t seen much success in terms of getting interviews. I think this could be a function of age as well. The other lady on PIP is in her early 50s and I am in mid forties. I believe that age factor makes it harder to land a new job.

What job role are you in OP? My friends who were PIPd have all found jobs as have several who left of their own accord. We’re all in engineering.

@pws+17Cz2R2d - But what’s there to prepare? A resume and CV can be made in an hour or two. Sending out ~10 quality applications every day doesn’t take much time either.

The other thing I can imagine if is they are taking a break before applying around again or have another income stream eg spouse that doesn’t have them worried for now.

It’s often the people who are most “surprised” they got put on PIP that end up being the least prepared. I’ve seen personally a decent handful of folks who were likely not PIP targets that left on their own to start new jobs.