I talk to a lot of people in the tech industry and now is a rough time. I know you probably hear all the stories of all the successful people out there. We love to listen to the Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates stories of success. Maybe Steve Jobs, the rebel is more your style.
However, the press and the books often overlook the people building the networks, supporting the networks, and the markers that show up every day.
This is for you in these tough times when the big names listed make business decisions that affect your well being. I get it, they have a business to run and we’re grateful for the opportunity.
All the same, we get stressed out worrying about where our next paycheck will come from.
Fear not friends, do what you can to build a savings. Be smart. Build your retirement account as early as possible. Then the stress can become reduced.
Sure, it sucks when losing your job is out of your control, but look at this way, it is literally out of your control. No one is asking you if you want to leave. If it happens, it happens. Again, it sucks, but maybe it’s time to move on and find something new.
Leverage your network, see what is out there. You may have to settle for something now but don’t give up.
Let me tell you, getting older does NOT make it easier. We’re just more prepared, we usually have savings set aside because these things happen. However, when people look at someone over 50, do you know what they think? They think they can find someone younger and cheaper. It all depends if they want someone better, and they usually don’t!
All those years of hard work and dedication just don’t mean that much when the business is losing money. They really appreciate the long hours and weekends when business is good, but when profits drop, the money has to come from somewhere. When they look at your salary, it seems too easy to cut that, just another expense, right.
I’ve been there and it sucks. But, you can’t apologize too much about it, after all, it’s not your decision. Some things are out of your control. If you’ve worked hard and produced quality work at a sufficient quantity, then they should keep you or at least hold on to you as long as they can.
Don’t stress out, but it is a factor, and it’s hard not to worry. After all, we’re only human.
All I can say, to worry is human, but I ask you not to lose faith. We Americans always have faith and we know things can and will get better.
Hang in there.