Message #32751

[andream]

Okay First thing you're doing to do Bridget is NOT panic.  You have not yet been fired, and you have some information that things are not going well.

Start with a plan.

1.  Information gather.  Go back to the boss and ask for specifics.  The company is folding.  Okay, When? how hard and how fast? Am I going to need to worry that my paycheck witll bounce? What's your estimate of the time I'll have a job? Will I be one of the next to go, or will I be kept up until the very end because I'm vital to moving information through the organization?

2.  Yes, Brush up the Resume and begin to get it out there, online job houses are a great way to start and almost ALL the temp agencies have online upload avaiability.  

3.  Obtain LETTERS of reference from people you work with now, before they get scattered into other jobs and you can't find them.  (Getting a reference from a company that's gone is HARD and explaining to your new potential employer can be even harder so get references NOW)

3.  Develop a plan, based on the timeline your employer has given you, (Decrease his estimate by at least 20% to give yourself a safety margin) finish up things that will have a direct impact on your references, projects, payables, receivables etc, all need extra attention right now.

4.  If you have sick time available, begin to draw it down, chances are good if the company goes belly up you won't get it. Same with Vacation time, ONLY if it's feasible to do it.  In other words, don't take a sick day if you think that you won't have a job tomorrow because of it. Attendence and attitude will be crucial when the next set of axes fall.

5.  Look at your benefits, is there health insurance coverage that you really need? Find out NOW what COBRA will cost you (Assuming your corporation is COBRA mandated)

6.  Get the Resume out and start making selective Interviews DURING the workweek, long lunch hours are great for that but ONLY if you've been told by your employer that its a given, the whole thing has gone to hell and there's no chance of it being saved.  IF bossie indicates there's a shot at keeping the company going, then do your interviews on non work time.  You'd be amazed how many interviewers will schedule a VERY early morning interview or a later evening.

7.  Investigate what, if any severance benefits are going to be available to you through your company.

8.  Check out your status on Unemployment benefits, length of time you'll have them and the amount. Find out what paperwork you'll need from your CURRENT employer to get benefits, Unemployment is a real problem if you can't get the paperwork filled out because the employer is no longer there.  Get what you need now, and have it ready.

9.  Pay attention to how you feel and listen to your emotional self.  Put a time limit on the grief and the sense of fear.  Deal  ith it and move on, having a plan will help you to "de-emotionalize" the process somewhat.

10.  check in with us as often as you need too.  We're here for ya.

Andrea