In 1998 when I was hired into a pre-IPO corporation in the Silicon Valley, I swore it would be my last job.  I would work there forever and retire when I’m good and ready.  I believe at the time I was employee number 112.  When I left almost 5 years after ~ there were about 4,000 employees.

Pre and post IPO were FUN days.  There was the proverbial ping pong table and shuffleboard in the rec room.   Lunch and dinner was provided for.  I was at work from 8:30AM and didn’t leave till about 6:30PM.  Life was good.  It was a small company.  Free soda and candy (chocolates!!) in abundance.  Very little ‘structure’ in place.  In fact, I had to put some of them together since I had come from a competing company that already had systems in place.

The going was great!  And the company flourished and grew.   The stock split about four times while I was there.   And while the shares we owned doubled ~ so did the headaches.  And the stress.  And new management came in.  I ended up with a boss who had a Napoleon complex and was as narcissist as they came.  Ick.  Towards the end of year 4 and going into year 5, my mom and I were counting months.  I just needed to be fully vested and get out. And I did.   In 2003.   I can’t believe it’s been seven years.

After taking some much needed time off, I’ve mustered to put together everything I learned in all the jobs I’ve had in my life.  And I reinvented ME.  I took control and found a niche.  I didn’t find it on the first try ~ but I persisted.

I am living proof that with determination and courage ~ a family who believes in you ~ and a great network of friends,  life after corporate America is possible.  In fact ~ I encourage anyone currently employed to begin to think of life’s Plan B.  Because many will need it.   It’s my belief that independent contractors will be the wave of the future.  If you’ve got skill and can market yourself as an individual contributor, you’re already one up.

It used to be that people would work in corporations till they reached retirement age.  Those days are gone.  I am seeing people in their 50s laid off for one reason or another.  It’s simple.  They’re more highly paid due to the years they’ve been in a company.  There is an abundance of skilled workers ready, willing and able to do the same job for less.  Sad fact ~ but true.  All employment ~ at least in California ~ is “at will” employment.  They do not need a reason to let you go.

Don’t even expect anything ‘pink’.  Email terminations are the current ‘wave’ of laying a person off.

So what is one person to do these days?  Well ~ for one ~ be happy that you are working for a corporation.   Complain if you must but keep it to yourself.  Do NOT talk to HR.  Wrong move always.  HR is not on your side, ever.

Keep learning and upgrading your skills.  Don’t settle for just what you know.  Most companies fund continuing education.  Use that and learn new things to enhance your skills.

Be a team player.   I had a saying I tried to live by “swim with the fish or fight with the sharks”.  It IS a dog eat dog survival of the fittest corporate culture.  No matter how cool a company can ever get, things can change rapidly.

Be healthy.  COBRA is expensive.  If  Kaiser is offered in your company, choose Kaiser.  It will be easier and cheaper if you have to go on COBRA.

Have hobbies and skills and play during the weekends.  I don’t know how many of my friends used to work on the weekends.  I know I did for a while until it was ‘expected’ that we all did.

Build your people network through social media.  LinkedIn profiles are almost an imperative these days.  Connect to as many professionals as you can.  This is how companies vet applicants these days.  They go through the back door channels, look at your LinkedIn profile and contact those in your network and others in the previous companies you’ve worked for [even if they're not in your network].  While we’re in the social media space, make sure your Facebook and MySpace pages are clean and presentable.  Those get checked too.  As well as your name on Google.

Chin up.  You can do it.  Believe in yourself. Get creative!   There is another job out there ~ and you could be your own boss.

Feel like discussing this more?  Head on over to my community and share your experience ~ worries ~ or thoughts about your Plan B.  If you ARE in your Plan B stage (like I am), share with us your story and how you got there!  We’d love to hear it and perhaps we’d find things in common!

Stay Positive!