How Secure Is Your Job?

AI and robots taking over probably aren't as far away from happening as people think...

• In California, a robot is now doing the burger flipping.
• In Arizona, autonomous vehicles no longer need safety drivers.
• Walmart and Kroger at ditching cashiers.
• Amazon plans to open even more cashierless stores.
• Uber is hoping to roll out a self-driving fleet within 18 months.
• Driverless big rigs are also on the near horizon.
• In Japan robots have pretty much taken over a hotel.
• Robots are even taking aim at doctor and nurse positions.

If your job is in danger of being replaced by a robot, shipped overseas, or otherwise deemed unnecessary in the near future, it is time to expand your skill set.

Preparing to Find a Job

Who knew that trying to get a job in this day and age would be so difficult?  A lady came to me and asked if I could help her apply for a job, I said yes thinking it would take a few minutes, and two weeks later we are still working on this daunting process.  There are several reasons for this as I will outline below, along with an annotated list of things that should be done when preparing to find a job.

• Many (maybe most?) jobs these days require an online application.  Now this woman is borderline elderly but she really needs a job; unfortunately she has zero clue about technology of any kind.  Lesson 1: know your way around a computer and websites and applying for a job online.
• Since most hiring is done online you will need an email address.  Fortunately this woman has an email address, unfortunately she forgot the password and has no idea how to access her email on her new phone.  Yikes.  Lesson 2: get a free, generic email address from Gmail or the like (and make it professional, not hotbabe@emailserviceofyourchoice.com).  Also be sure to write down both the email address AND the password somewhere where you won't lose it.
• Hiring agents will probably call you at some point in the interview/hiring process.  After applying online for several jobs this nice old lady suddenly changes her phone number.  Again, yikes.  Lesson 3: if you are not sure if/how long you will keep your cell service, by all means buy a cheap number from Skype or Google Voice or a similar service so that you can always be contacted.
• This lady also has a very specific type of job she would like to do yet she hasn't worked in more than a decade.  Lesson 4, 5, and 6: get a job--any job--if you are currently unemployed.  For some reason employers like to hire people who are currently working so it may be a long wait for a specific job if you aren't currently working; start by working ANYWHERE then moving on to something better.  Also keep up your skill set as technology is changing things at a rapid pace and being out of the loop for any period of time can be a big obstacle to overcome.  And by all means try to keep up some sort of professional network of people who can help you/direct you towards companies that are hiring.
• Then there is the part about applying for a job where most online applications want you to list your work experience/education/etc and upload a resume.  It's been so long that she can't really remember when, where, or for whom she had previously worked.  Ayayay.  Lesson 7: always keep an up-to-date resume on hand with accurate dates/locations/contact info for the places you have worked, your education and skills, etc.
• The lady asked if I could go online and reapply at some of the places another friend had helped her apply for a few months ago.  No problem, I thought, until I realized that most online applications are tied to an email or user name and password you've set up and heaven help you if you forget these things and want to re-access your applications.  Lesson 8: always, always, always keep a list of companies/user names/passwords that you have used and DON'T LOSE THEM.
• And then there is the issue of the "new" sources to help you get a job.  She said she tried the unemployment office and the job connect office and no one will help her as they told her what--again--online resources she should use to find a job.  Lesson 9: become familiar with Linked In, Indeed, Monster, Career Builder, etc.
• Finally, she would like a job that pays well (I asked her name an amount and nearly fell off my chair).  Lesson 10: be aware of what your industry/job skills mean when it comes to pay.  Of course pay varies by location and the demand in your area but the days of walking into a great paying middle management job with a degree in basket weaving are long gone.  By most accounts pay has not kept up with inflation and demand vs how many people are all seeking the same job has pushed wages down even more in most places.

This situation has been very eye-opening.  Back in the old days you walked in, had an actual conversation with someone who could hire you and you would end up with a job.  Eventually as you built up a name in your industry, employers would come looking for you instead of the other way around.  The last couple of weeks have been a not-so-pleasant way to see what the job situation has actually become, especially for those who are the most desperate for work and least skilled.

Unexpected Job Loss: 10 Tips

I headed over to my friend's shop a few days ago and found it odd that no one was there.  The place is usually pretty busy with nearly a dozen employees, many customers, and people just hanging out but that day everything was locked up (doors, service bays) and it was quiet.  I thought it odd but figured maybe there was some sort of emergency or something.  Today I dropped by again and the windows had been boarded up and a "sealed by eviction court" sticker was across the doors.  Uh oh.

Obviously this came as a shock to me (we aren't close friends but I would drop by once a month or so to shoot the breeze and talk business) and I am guessing it came as a shock to the employees as well (unfortunately).  Hopefully everything will get straightened out but this situation only reinforces the need for everyone to be prepared for an unexpected job loss.  Here's how:

1. Your very first task after you read this should be to put together an emergency fund of six to nine month's worth of expenses.  Obviously this isn't a quick or easy activity but it could be the difference between mild discomfort if you show up at work and the doors are padlocked shut and homelessness.
2. Always have a few side hustles going.  Multiple streams of income will make you feel a whole lot better--and much more financially stable--should one of your streams of income suddenly dry up.
3. Be an exceptional worker/employee.  People notice those who go above and beyond at their jobs (plus have a good attitude and good work habits).  This way if you need to find a new job, people will be more likely to recommend you for employment opportunities that they know of.
4. Pay attention at work.  This situation at the shop probably didn't come as a surprise to the employees if they were paying attention.  Calls by creditors, late paychecks, not stocking as much inventory as usual...there are many red flags when businesses are running out of money.
5. If you find yourself suddenly unemployed, sign up for unemployment benefits immediately.  This will get the process started and insure you have some sort of income coming in.
6. Sort out pressing job-related issues including what will happen with your health insurance, pension, 401k, if you qualify for any sort of severance, etc.
7. Take a week off to chill and regain your equilibrium.  Obviously such a shocking event will make you run through the gamut of emotions.  Let them all settle before going out to find another job.  Running around in a panic is not a good idea (your desperation will be apparent to possible employers) so settle first then look for work.
8. Cut your expenses immediately.  If you suddenly don't have a big income coming in, don't live like you do.  While you should always live below your means, there are probably some things you can cut immediately to save money (change cell phone plans, cut cable, don't eat out, etc).
9. Create a daily schedule even if you don't have the structure of a regular job.  Get up at the same time every day, exercise each morning, spend a few hours on work-related activities (updating your resume, applying for jobs, networking, etc), volunteer somewhere, etc.
10. Determine what you want to do with your future.  Maybe you don't want to go back to the same sort of work, in that case look at job retraining opportunities, go back to grad school, or take a year off and travel.

10 Things to Do When You Get Laid Off

I was pondering this post earlier today after talking to a woman who will soon be laid off from her job. I was actually surprised to see her at a meeting today because I though her company was doing their layoffs last week. I asked her what her plans were and she had no idea. She asked if I had any ideas so I am working on a plan for her which will better package her skills and generate some income for her.
Then the spouse came home tonight with a layoff notice. Talk about hitting home. Fortunately for us, the spouse only works very part time earning "fun money" and enough to cover the groceries. The impact, however, of being laid off, was not wasted on both of us.
So while we will be reorganizing our budget a bit and working on some projects to keep the spouse busy and possibly replace some of the income that has been lost, I am a whole lot more concerned with the woman I spoke to today along with her co worker who is also slated to be laid off and the loss of their six figure incomes which will no doubt impact them and their families severely.

Here's ten things to do when you get laid off:

1. See being laid off as an opportunity to make some much needed changes in your life. While most people will have a panic attack then a pity party, I have never, in my entire life, been fired or laid off without having an even better opportunity come along. In fact, that's how the spouse broke the news this evening..."you know how you always say that things happen for a reason..." This has always been my motto and painful things usually work out fairly well given time.
2. Apply for unemployment. Pronto. You pay into the unemployment system with every paycheck deduction so you might as well make a withdrawal from the system when you need it.
3. Give yourself a day to digest the situation then call a family meeting. There is no shame in losing your job. It happens to many people and with a current national unemployment rate hovering around 10%, one in ten people is currently experiencing this sort of situation. Announce to the family that you have lost your job then enlist everyone's help in dealing with the situation. The psychological impact of the main family breadwinner losing their job can be fairly substantial, however this is what family is for, to help YOU through a tough time just like you always help them.
4. Next, take a look at the family budget. With everyone's input cut back as much as possible on non essentials and make other reasonable budget cuts. Review every single expense and look at ways to make cuts (can you switch to garbage service every other week instead of weekly? Is it a prudent idea to drop full coverage from you oldest car instead of carrying full coverage on it?) Through this group process, no one in the family will be surprised when eating out is suddenly cut to never and going to the mall doesn't come with a withdrawal from the bank of dad.
5. After you have pared back the budget, it is time to make money to provide the funds to see you through this period of unemployment. Turn over every rock to do this--are you owed vacation pay, sick pay, or a severance package from your former job? Now that you don't have to go to work, scour the house from top to bottom both cleaning the house (a mood lifter) and gather stuff to sell via eBay, Craigslist, or a garage sale. You don't need to get rid of everything but most of us have plenty of junk laying around that we don't want/use/need. Also, pick up side jobs if possible. Check Craigslist for gigs. Pay attention--if a friend complains about their worn carpet and you can resurrect your college job carpet laying skills, offer to put in new carpet for a reasonable fee.
6. Reevaluate your life. This might be tough to do when you have just lost your job and are verging on panic, but take this opportunity to decide what you want to do with your life. Do you want to find a job in the same industry you just go laid off from? Did you secretly hate your job and now have the opportunity to do something totally different? Do you want to try your hand at being self employed?
7. Get active. Now that you have the time, exercise. It is a mood lifter, a definite bonus for your health, and it's free. Put on a pair of tennis shoes and get walking or jogging if you prefer. Pick a different route each day which may open up possibilities (ie: new work ideas or opportunities).
8. Volunteer. As long as you aren't doing anything, you might as well make yourself useful. Find a volunteer gig or two in your community, doing something you enjoy. Many people have picked up additional job skills as well as made valuable contacts in the community by doing this.
9. Make big decisions if needed. You may have to sell your house. You may need to move to another area where there is a market for your skills. You may need to get some scholarships together and go back to college (note I didn't say get into massive student loan debt to go back to college). You may need to cut off your freeloading adult children/various relatives you have been supporting when the money was flowing in.
10. Make a plan. Will it be a full court press to market yourself to find a job similar to what you lost? If so, you need to polish your resume, call every person you have ever met to see if they can help you find a job, polish up your job skills, and start looking everywhere for a job. If you decide to start your own business, you will need a plan in order to launch your new venture. Going back to school? Stop by the college guidance office tomorrow and get an idea of what you need to do to get started.

Now here are five things NOT to do when you lose your job:

1. Don't keep it a secret. People can't help you if they don't know you need help. I have heard of quite a few people who were so ashamed about losing their jobs that they pretend to go to work every morning just so the family and the neighbors wouldn't know what happened. Don't even start with this kind of charade.
2. Don't go on vacation because you need the break. This is also a way that people deal with stressful situations but running away and running up your credit cards when you can least afford to do so is a really bad idea.
3. Don't live on credit cards for months on end in order to keep the same standard of living that you have always had. If you have no income coming in, how will you pay off these credit card debts?? Better to ratchet back your spending to hardly nothing and even go to a food bank if you are hungry rather than going shopping with credit cards until they are maxed out--this will only shove you into a deeper depression when the creditors start calling.
4. Don't give up. After the punch in the gut feeling that comes with being laid off, some people want to stay in bed and watch TV talk shows all day rather than face the world. While this is understandable, it isn't very practical. Get up, get moving, and get creative. The answer to your problems will not land on your door step, you need to go out, hunt it down, kill it, and drag it back home.
5. Don't not accept a job because it is "beneath you." If you don't have a job, you need to get one. They say it is easier to find a job when you are employed so you might as well take any job you can find just to get some cash rolling in as you continue to look for a better job.

Well, that's about all I know about job loss, having been laid off a couple of times and fired more than that (seems I don't play well with others sometimes...). Maybe our readers have some more ideas...?