‘I Just Got Laid Off: What Do I Do?’
By Roger Nadel
• Last month we told you that our friend and former R&R colleague Roger Nadel was one of several talented executives who had been downsized from iHeartMedia’s Total Traffic & Weather Network. Roger had been with that company for 11 years, rising to SVP of Affiliate Services, overseeing station affiliations in the Western U.S. and managing a 10-person Affiliate Services team. His earlier career highlights include 25+ years with CBS Radio, including 11 years managing WWJ-AM & WYST-FM/Detroit and KFWB-AM/Los Angeles, followed by a year as Executive Editor at R&R and two years managing Sporting News Radio’s KMPC-AM/Los Angeles.
While these increasing waves of corporate restructuring and downsizing are starting to feel almost like the new normal, you just don’t feel that same visceral gut-punch of sudden unemployment until it happens to you. To that end, Roger wisely used some of his newfound spare time to share his thoughts in this guest column, appropriately titled, “I Just Got Laid Off: What Do I Do?”
• “So it’s happened. You get ushered into your supervisor’s office. HR is already there. And thus begins the difficult conversation, in which you’re informed that your job has been eliminated and today is your last day. Not performance-related, just downsizing. Now what?
Whether you’ve spent a lifetime with the company, or are a recent hire, here’s a checklist you might want to hold on to. In today’s business environment (and that’s not just broadcasting), companies are turning more and more to layoffs and consolidation to cut expenses. This piece isn’t about whether they made the right decision. Today’s discussion is to make sure you are doing everything you can to cope and get back on your feet as quickly as possible. The following aren’t necessarily to be done in order… they just need to get done.
A) Don’t be surprised. If you’re caught off guard, or totally blind-sided, that’s on you. In some cases, companies are doing large-scale RIFs (Reduction in Workforce) in a single day; at the same time, you see reports of job leakage every day on this website… a Production Director here, a Program Director there. Few companies are immune from these adjustments. So if you assume it couldn’t happen to you, you’ll be that much further behind if/when it happens.
B) Don’t hide. Or pretend it didn’t happen. Yes, it stings… and will for a while. You’re not doing yourself any favors pretending it didn’t happen. So get on your various social media platforms and revise your bio to keep it current. Make sure you can link people to an updated profile, whether it’s LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or your own website. It’s faster and easier than rebuilding your resume.
C) Make lists. Lots of them. On the job side, a list of who has reached out to you, so you can respond. A list of who you need to contact. In your personal life, a list of ‘to do’s’ to make sure you’re on track to get COBRA (if you qualify) or other insurance, move a 401k, update email addresses so people can find you. For your own financial planning, identify your regular expenses so you can budget and adjust accordingly if necessary (do you really need Hulu, Netflix, HBO Streaming, CBS All Access?).
D) Define yourself. Or re-define yourself. What makes you special? What can you bring to a business that would compel someone to hire you, either fulltime or for contract work? Are you mobile? Relocatable? In some cases, you may want to pitch your ability to do multiple tasks; in others it may be a specific skill or track record that will be attractive.
E) Explore re-invention. There’s an old saying about fishing where the fish are. You’ll catch more that way. If radio no longer provides opportunity, accept it and look for ways to use your skillset in another field. Embrace technology. Take a class. Go to a conference. Learn new skills you can monetize. Have coffee with people who can make you smarter. Ask lots of questions. Figure out what skills you can market, and who to market them to.
F) Eyes ahead. It’s not a good use of your time to do the ‘woe is me’ thing. Forget the grudges. Focus on the future. Make it your job to get a job. It’s important in how you approach each day. It’s even more important when you’re meeting people to discuss work options. A good interviewer can tell who’s stuck in the past and has a chip on the shoulder, and who’s excited about what’s next. Be the ‘excited about what’s next’ person.
G) Maintain a routine. This is not the time to hide in bed; get to it. Do something each day for your mental health and something for your physical health. You may think an hour of exercise is an hour you’re not looking for a job. Don’t make that mistake. It’s okay to have bouts of grief and sadness; your life just got changed forever. But don’t get down on yourself for something that you had no control over. No one gets ahead looking in the rearview mirror.
We live in a time of change. It happens at every level of our business, from board operators to highly-rated talents to Chief Engineers to Program Directors to Market Managers. Consolidation is real. How you deal with it, and how you move on from it, will define you not just to yourself but to your friends, family, and prospective employers.”
• Roger is now ready to put his many years of valuable executive experience to work for [your company logo here]. He can be reached at 818-324-3390 or roger.nadel@gmail.com.
