Losing my job so how about some career advice?
 

I just found out my position is being eliminated. There are 20 of us sales reps across the nation being affected. I have been with the company almost 20 years and have been fairly happy here. Sales management and senior leadership has assured us that they will find other positions for us and have guaranteed us employment and salary until end of September. My question is, how long should I wait before I call my head hunter contacts?

My sales director called me personally to tell me that he will do his best to find me a job. I trust him but I've never been one to rely on others; I've always made things happen for me. Plus I've looked at the company's job boards and found no opportunities in my geographic area. They would have to create a new position or carve out a territory for me. Neither seems likely at this time. However, I feel indebted to my director for all he has done for me and my career. I also realize he wants to keep me from going to the competition. I've done very well for him and the company.

So, should I wait to contact recruiters? If so, how long?

Sorry to hear the news.

My suggestion is to trust everyone, but cut the cards.

Dont burn bridges with your current setup, but dont wait for them to grantee your future. Its in your best interest to find employment ASAP.

can't hurt to call the recruiters and listen to what they have to say. All you have to do is say "no thanks" if you hear something you don't like.

Work your network NOW! It's through your network (friends, family, coworkers, business contacts) that you'll find your next position.

In this economy it's who you know!

Al

Not to be negative but do not wait. Your boss sounds like a good man but you must start looking right away. September will come quick.
I work in a business with quite a high volume of staff turnover. Often staff need to sign non compete contracts. I know this sounds like a scummy thing to do, but the realities are that if you don't have a NC clause and can take any clients now, that will be a help in securing a new position. You have done well for your current employer, start looking at your competition and see if there is a way you can levy your contacts as a way in. Try and stay positive. Its business and that means you have to look after you and yours.
Good Luck out there.

Trust, but verify.

Start now. New opportunities often take time. And (more often than not) the 1st job you accept won't last for one reason or another. What industry?

Ian

Start working the headhunters now. You might find a shiny new opportunity awaits.

Don't wait.

Good intentions are not guarantees.

I've been there, man! Definatly get all your contacts up and runnning looking for another job. You may not like the "new" job your manager finds for you. Good thoughts heading your way.

no time like the present to start your own business!! What do you sell ?
either way start looking for a job!!!

dont trust your current employer and dont trust or rely on anyone that says they will help you.

it took me more than 2 years to find a job in my field that paid anywhere close to what i was making. call the head hunter now and put your brain in survival mode. nobody cares about you and your future except you, despite what they say....unless that person is making money off of placing you in a job

i had a least 10 colleagues tell me they could help me do this or that....blah blah. nobody has any time or interest or real power to do anything for you trust me

dont procrastinate

No advice but sorry to hear the bad news. I wish you the best in finding a new gig.

All great advice. And iil say it again, don't wait. I am losing my job in sept also ( was initally july ) and have been looking for 3 solid months and finally this week, I am starting to get a few leads on a few jobs. By the time I go through the job hiring process, I HOPE to have a job by August.

What do you sell? 20 years with one place is a long time.

1) Get on linkedin. Ask for customers and business partners to write you a recommendation.
2) Ask your customers what other vendors are hot and doing a good job. Never underestimate a customer's ability to pull strings to help you out.
3) Quantify your achievements. What percent of quota attainment did you get? Did you go to President's Club? Recruiters want someone who has history of achievement.
4) Start researching competitors and reaching out to them. It's highly unorthodox for companies to lay off sales people unless they are underperforming or part of an underperforming division. Smart companies layoff sales generators last. If you have a rolodex of strong customer relationships, you will be worth a lot of money to somebody.
5) Since you haven't looked for a job in 20 years, i highly recommend getting some career conseling and practice interviews. You will need to get comfortable discussing your accomplishments and turing that around into what you can do to help that employer. Start early in this. You want to be negotiating from a position of evaluating several opporutnites and not out of desperation for any job that gives you an offer. It's all about quantification of achievements, spinning these into applicability to the position, and closing on the next step in the "sales/interview" cycle. Ask for every job, you don't necessarily have to accept any.

SP has good advice!

SP has GREAT advice. Let's assume that your Sales Director is unable to make something happen for you. It is possible. Do you have a severance package? Is there career counseling? I had career counseling years ago and it was life changing. I recommend it 100%.

Agree with all the others. Flex your net. It only increases your value to your current employer if they see how desirable you are to others.

Best of luck.

Larry

Time to consider the career in porn?

Remember there are 20 others thats looking. Get started now! If the people had any real power and really wanted, your job wouldn't be eliminated. They may be stalling to get all they can out of the sales people.

Porn is good. Seriously, don't depend on others. Strike out on your own. Or look for something else now. Those are empty promises to get you out the door as easily as possible. You're already history to them.