Not losing 23 years of experience in IT

Bob wrote:

In 1999, after 17+ years with an utility company in their Engineering IT dept, I was told "your going"! I said, "to Corporate IS"? Management said, "yes." I went but I surely wasn't happy with it. No rhyme or reason, just moved me. Never had anything but glowing reviews.

I resolved to make the best of it, but it left me wondering just how valuable I was. So I put my resume out and got a big bite by a wireless communications provider (cellular). They offered me a 20% increase in salary, better benefits (by far), less hours, and less stress.

So, in 2001, I took the job. It turned into the best job I have ever had. I learned thngs I never would have been given a chance to had I stayed with the utility company. Then, 23 months later, after a huge reorg, my job was cut, which meant I got the pink slip. If you can call it humane, I suppose it was.

I went into a tail spin and become extremely depressed. I allowed the whole mess to drive me to do things, I never would have done. There has been nothing but contract positions since Jan. 2003. Now, I have an arrest record and haven't worked full-time since 2003. The other major hitch is that I need to remain in this geographical area to help take care of in-laws and elderly parents.

How does one overcome their own stupidity, without sacraficing 23+ years in IT?

And, yes, layoffs do leave scars of all shapes, sizes, and types.

Response from Amy Wrzesniewski, Associate Professor, Organizational Management,Yale University School of Management:

They certainly do leave scars. Being laid off is an incredibly stressful and demoralizing experience for many. I wonder if you can signal more strongly your interest in converting a contract position to a permanent one in those organizations you would feel happy to join. Often, contract positions can be parlayed into permanent spots when the relationship is working out even better than hoped. If your employment record is something you feel is an impediment to being hired permanently at the start, it seems that moving into the organization via a contract position might be a good venue to explore. technological advances in which you may have played an important role in at your organization.

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For a limited time, Dr. Wrzesniewski responded to questions reader posted at our Layoffs leave scar blog post.

Be sure to read our feature Discarded and Demoralized.