Posted on 04/14/2002 1:56:04 PM PDT by SpyderTim
Lucent to Cut 5,000 More Jobs - Source Reuters | April 11, 2002 | Ben Klayman
Posted on 4/12/02 11:59 PM Pacific by SpyderTim
Lucent to Cut 5,000 More Jobs - Source Thu Apr 11, 4:28 PM ET By Ben Klayman CHICAGO (Reuters) - Telecommunications equipment maker Lucent Technologies Inc. plans to cut about 5,000 more jobs than previously expected by the end of June because of the slowdown in the telecom sector, a source close to the company said on Thursday.
See the link for the rest of the article.
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Just got to thinking, with the economy supposedly recovering, and layoffs continuing all around us, how many Freepers are currently out of work? How are they finding the job market?
1 posted on 4/12/02 11:59 PM Pacific by SpyderTim [ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies | Report Abuse ]
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Luckily the coapany I worked for Did Good and accelerated my options when I was voluntarily laid off. Job market is pretty bad out there in high tech (programming). At one time or another 10 friends of mine were laid off this past year.
2 posted on 4/13/02 8:31 AM Pacific by lelio [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: SpyderTim
Just got to thinking, with the economy supposedly recovering, and layoffs continuing all around us, how many Freepers are currently out of work? How are they finding the job market?
Agreed. I know more people in the last year that have gotten laid off, and have remained laid off, than I do those who had no work and found it. This "recovery" is pure fabrication and spin pushed by the WH. The facts are that over half the new jobs created are being done by the government! GDP has increased primarily because of government spending!
Smoke and mirrors.
3 posted on 4/13/02 8:35 AM Pacific by Kobyashi1942 [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]
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My company announced its office relocation way back in April of 2001. My last day was November 30. I've been networking and interviewing since then but haven't found quite what I'm looking for yet. It's not a bad job market if you know what you are doing, but it isn't as good as when I first graduate from college in 2000 either.
4 posted on 4/14/02 1:53 PM Pacific by SpyderTim [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]
Several reasons:
1) Employers stuck in the 1960's mindset: "Well, he will only have 10 to 15 years to be with the company!" -- reality, most workers only stay 2 to 6 years.
2) Older workers mostly demanding larger salaries.
3) Older workers less likely to want to spend 10-14 hour days at office.
Why not sign up. You paid for it. Part of your compensation package was the taxes your employer paid for unemployment compensation. It's not welfare. It's ususally not much, but it will help and will allow you to hold unto some of your own resources should unemployment last longer than you expect.
Remember, its getting to be more and more unususal for a person not to be in your position at least once during their career. Keep positive, keep active and network like crazy. Good luck.
Those in there 50's have more experience and are earning more. Employers dont want to pay the higher salary for a position that does not require that much experience. Many also question the person who is willing to accept less income than their experience should demand. Is there something wrong with them? Are they really as good as they say? Is this just going to be a filler job for them and they will leave shortly after the employer has invested in training them.
Also, those in their 40's and 50's have kids and grandkids that soak up some of their time. Many are not as single minded in their pursuit of career as when they were 22. And lastly, health problems become more of a factor when you approach 50. Companies, especially small firms, are very concerned about health insurance costs. Add a few older employees to your health insurance policy, especially if they have any chronic problems, and it may make the price of insurance so high that the firm is no longer able to offer it to their employees.
Sorry, but those are the facts of life that those over 50 face. So be aware of your skills and not just your technical skills. You may need to go into a new field. Teachers are in dire need. Charitable organizations may need help. Or you may just need to get a couple of Wal-Mart jobs. Or you could do what I did more than ten years ago and go into business for yourself.
The big problem is that America has a crying need for highly skilled specialists and almost no need at all for average generalist-type employees. And we have an oversupply of very average people looking for jobs.
The most likely way any of us is going to find our next job is through networking. That's one reason I started this thread. Figured it couldn't hurt and maybe at least one person might help another find the right contact. So if anyone knows a company in need of someone with terrific research skills and outstanding writing ability in the Chicago area, send them my way! Thanks.
I recently worked for another shop for a few months as low man on a Harris Web press. It took over 9 months to find that job. I walked off the job after 4 months due to poor safety practices. My health and wellbeing is more important than a paycheck.
Now I am back to looking.
THAT one is easy---because back in 1950, a dollar was worth a dollar. Today it is only worth a dime--SOOOOOO--that $10K salary in 1950 equates to a $100K salary today.
that's right. cosmetic rearrangement (LOL)
I congrat you on your attitude. That is exactly the type of attitude you are going to need to convey to employment managers, that a willingness to be flexible on pay. Perhaps one way you might leverage that attitude is to go into business for yourself and offer what ever service you were providing to companies from offsite. Only hitch is benefits but that is one of the big reasons they are less likely to hire you.
Regardless of attitude, what I stated in my earlier post is exactly what employers think (and for most older employees, they are atleast somewhat true). As far as health, we are not talking about arthritis and other aches and pains. We are talking about heart disease, cancer, and other biggies whose odds increase substantially with age. Someone with one of those maladies can cost the insurance company over $100,000 a year if they are lucky.
I do have some HVAC experience (nuclear power), and I applied to a local contractor. He wanted someone who had installed commercial ductwork, and I had only commissioned an entire nuclear plant. I was underqualifed...
but I'm not in Congress!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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