I have no idea what my reaction would be if my manager or HR told me I was laid off. I haven't been laid off before, so I know it would come as a shock even if I know it's a real possibility. I don't know if I would just sit there, cry, or yell at them. How do other people deal with this? Those who have been laid off before, from here or any other place?
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Simple. Say thank you, ask about your severance and your benefits and go get a new job. Freshen up the old resume and you are now a free agent. Good luck
Since you are already talking, thinking about it. You have role played in your mind, you already know you will sit there and listen.
Make a linkedin post thanking Citrix for the wonderful opportunity and lay it on thick.
It's only the uncertainty that is scary. If you start a new job, and you like it, and you like your manager and co-workers, you'll think "Citrix who?" I've had several different jobs over the years. I barely remember the names of the people I first worked with. Life goes on.
I could write the book on being laid off. I've been laid off a total of 5 times since college (two business closures, two restructuring and one covid related cuts. The most recent one occurring a little over 5 months after being widowed and at the beginning of the pandemic. It sucks and it's scary as he-l. I cried, screamed, cussed, drank too much, you name it.
I was on the phone the within 24 hours sharing the cr---y news with my network. I made a post on my LinkedIn and on social media. I updated my resume and started applying and interviewing for a new job, which I got. Every job I have gotten after being laid off has been for a considerably higher salary, better benefits and more job satisfaction. When I drive by my previous employer(s), I give them a one finger salute and say "Thanks for the huge raise MF****"
When you start interviewing, try to not say bad things about any of your previous employers.
The people that did the study saying losing a loved one compares with a job loss are clueless.
My external reaction won't say much, but internally I will feel slight fear for the future and an overwhelming sense of relief. This is not the place for me any longer.
I’m already prepared to laugh at my manager and tell him how much of a failure he was prior to him dipping and letting HR clean up after him.
Personally, I’m counting on it. This whole “new” direction is no direction. TK is a first rate jerk and seems to bask in it. I’ll take my chances with the payout and a way out of the gloom that dominates my daily routine.
It's embarrassing, even when you see it coming. Feeling angry is fine, but yelling at someone is pretty counter productive. Take your package and head for the door and look forward to your next company.
Great advice. Citrix (or any other company) is not your life. There are other jobs. Maybe you can get one right away, or maybe it will take some time, but there are other jobs. Get your financials in order, and apply for unemployment right away if that applies to you. Cut back spending for a while.
I follow this career coach on LinkedIn. He's very good, and he gives plenty of free advice on interviews and resumes. One of his main points is not to bother with applying on job boards, as 99% of those submissions never even get looked at. He's big on learning how to network. https://www.linkedin.com/in/abelcak/
Unfortunately many people at some point in their careers will experience being laid off. I'm going through it at the moment and if it does happen to you, it will be ok and you will be ok - there are plenty more fish in the sea.
There will be a conversation or announcement - short and factual because no-one around the table relishes it and then that's the worst of it out of the way.
You'll get through it just fine. Once you know, you may want to lay low for a couple of days to be kind to yourself (and avoid doing or saying anything rash that you might regret) then hold your head up, leverage your network and brush up your resume and get some interview practice. I do believe that as one door closes, another will open and you'll get an opportunity to do incredible work somewhere else with new people.
Try not to get too spun up worrying as you are a lot stronger than you probably think.
Be well.
My old company was pretty harsh with layoffs. You hand in your access card, then they escort you out of the building. Not even a chance to say goodbye to anyone. They box up your personal belongings and send them to you. You could have left a half-eaten bagel on your desk and it would still be there, and people are wondering where you went. That didn't happen to me, luckily.
If I were to get laid off, I think doing it remotely is a lot more comfortable.
I have been laid off twice, once the CEO (small company - venture cap funded) came in and said the game is over, we are shutting down. Had a new job in a couple of weeks.
The 2nd time was the company downsized >3K employees (eventually closed shop), that was a tough one, right after 9/11, no jobs anywhere (went as far as the west coast searching, living in hotels for a few months). Took 8 months to get a contract job. Blew through savings, the layoff package, unemployment and sold what investments we had - got to live -wife and kids. After a while a friend let us stay in her vacant condo in our home town.., it got tight needless to say. But got a decent job afterwards and eventually here I am!
I am ready for what ever happens. Take it in stride and prep as best as you can. Its not fun, take a deep breath and move on, we will survive.
Let your friends and associates remember you in a positive way. Stay calm. Share your feelings with family members and others that will have empathy, without judgment.
Remember, while this may be a new experience for you, many others have 'been there, done that' before you and they've lived to tell the tale and start over. Good luck!
Every professional interaction you have can impact your career down the line. You look at what's put in front of you,consider your options, and act in your best interest
I was laid off once before, in 2002. Our entire office was laid off, in fact...about 30 of us. We were bought by a bigger company and they decided it was cheaper to move our jobs to Europe. This was pre-remote work so I walked into the building (we had offices on the 3rd floor of a shared building) and there was a security guard at the elevator. That was my first clue something was going on. I guess they were worried someone would go ballistic over the news. Prior to that there was mild speculation something might happen but nothing like what's going on at Citrix. Anyway, they gave us the details...last day, severance package, etc. Our final day was 60 days out. In those 60 days we were expected to train and work with our replacements, so that was super fun and motivating. But we were all released from work for the rest of that day. How did we deal with it in the moment? We all went to a local bar (it was about 11 am by the time they finished with us) and we laughed and cried and drank together. It helped with some of the immediate shock, but like someone said it's a lot like grief and it can take some time for the reality to settle in.
Take care of yourself. It'll be okay...eventually. If you get cut, you have the opportunity to find work with a company that has values and cares about culture and human capital. Best of luck on the journey.
Not once in my career have I ever been laid off. I have never given any thought to how I wold react but more than likely it would be a "oh well. Loved it here but I guess it is time to move on." I mean, how else would you react? No amount of anguish or frustration or fear is going to change the result.
That result is you are out of a job and it is time to put the "feelers" out at other companies.
Like an adult...
However you react is valid. Being laid off is a stressful experience, ranked up there with serious illness or loss of a loved one. Just as no one shames anyone for how they grieve, no one will shame you for how you feel after being laid off. While I haven't been laid off before, just from a psychological standpoint, it's similar to grief. Allow yourself time to process, and then do your best to channel your energy into finding your new opportunity on your timeline. It may help to channel some of that energy now to preempt it, get a head start, and alleviate the anxiety of the unknown.