Comments on: What you Need To Be Thinking About Regarding Social Media and Layoffs

By: Dear Job Seeker « Social Media Building Blocks

Dear Job Seeker « Social Media Building Blocks — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:38:12 +0000

[...] people you were laid off. I know this is controversial because there is a stigma attached to being laid off but I think it makes it easier for people to help you if they know you’re laid off. Plus, in the [...]

By: Alex, aka SocialButterfly

Alex, aka SocialButterfly — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:27:09 +0000

Great post. I think when it comes to the “social media expert” terminology…if you position yourself as a valuable industry asset, rather than an “expert” (in anything for that matter), you will find more success, relationship-building and opportunities because of it.

By: WebWorkerDaily » Archive Social Media Consultant or Snake Oil Salesman? «

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:39:48 +0000

[...] important to be able to filter out the snake oil salesmen to find the ones with real experience. Jeremiah Owyang points out that you need [...]

By: Using social media for a job search | Rachel Levy - Boston marketing pro (social networking, Twitter)

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:10:54 +0000

[...] Jeremiah Owyang from Forrester Research has also written about this topic in “What you Need to Be Thinking About Regarding Social Media and Layoffs“… great [...]

By: jeremiah_owyang

jeremiah_owyang — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 16:53:42 +0000

Rotkapchen

These Gallup numbers are key.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/110809/US-Job-Market.aspx

By: WebMetricsGuru » Social Media and Layoffs - Jeremiah Owyang

WebMetricsGuru » Social Media and Layoffs - Jeremiah Owyang — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 06:25:42 +0000

[...] Jeremiah Owyang’s post on What you Need To Be Thinking About Regarding Social Media and Layoffs earlier today and thought he hit on some pretty interesting things such as the average Tech Company [...]

By: Rotkapchen

Rotkapchen — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 03:09:45 +0000

Indeed, here are Gallop numbers trending down on hiring (the other side of the market) since January of 2008!

http://twurl.nl/gczqxr

By: Rotkapchen

Rotkapchen — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 03:07:06 +0000

Don’t forget, those are unemployment rates. People fall off the unemployment roles and it’s assumed they don’t WANT to work. And there are a lot of people who already work ‘off the grid’ and aren’t entitled to unemployment benefits, that don’t show up (seasonal, temporary, self-employed).

By: Thoughts on work, life, and layoffs « Marketing Mystic

Thoughts on work, life, and layoffs « Marketing Mystic — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 02:36:15 +0000

[...] tracking the numbers, Robert Scoble’s tweeting about it, Jeremiah Owyang’s blogging about it, so I was inspired to chronicle my thoughts on the current downturn and layoffs, in [...]

By: Mia D

Mia D — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 00:19:45 +0000

Thanks for the response, Jeremiah.
The difference between the industries you’ve mentioned and social media is that the latter is quite broad, it’s not a mature industry, and not confined to a handful of companies.
The challenge isn’t as simple as predicting which auto company is going under, but rather staying on top of the evolution, as the social space gets reshaped by new social tools or sites that are coming up every day.
IMHO, being an ‘expert’ in some narrowly focused area like enterprise social media or blogging or Twitter is one thing, but ’social media expert’ is like ‘marketing expert’, doesn’t mean a whole lot.
Funnily enough, there are some whom I consider an ‘expert’ in this space but they don’t think of themselves as one.

By: Jay Deragon

Jay Deragon — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 20:49:25 +0000

Great post. As an additional perspective social media gives those with innovative minds to create products and services that most all buisness will eventually need. While I agree the term “social media expert” is lame and overused those that study, experiment and create new value propositions and discoveries will be the market leaders able to help others.

As you say “layoffs are a good thing” when it produces innovation that benefits others, entire markets and creates new business paradigms.

By: jeremiah_owyang

jeremiah_owyang — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 20:19:06 +0000

Thanks Mia

Are you saying anyone can predict which one of the web companies, enterprise software companies, newspapers or auto companies will be standing after the dust settles?

There are social media experts out there, I talk to them frequently.

By: Mia D

Mia D — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 20:09:53 +0000

My $.02, CEO perception isn’t very relevant to the general layoff discussion, because the layoffs have mostly affected middle-management, lower level employees and C-level execs are rarely ever involved in hiring decisions for those positions.
And I don’t know how anyone can be anointed an expert in a space that’s still evolving, especially when one can’t even predict with any accuracy as to which social networks will be left standing once the dust settles.

By: Csalomonlee

Csalomonlee — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:39:58 +0000

Thanks for the mention Jeremiah.

With regard to sucking up to a job, I think people have to remember that some folks have no choice but to stay in their jobs for economic reasons. And as everyone has pointed out, with more competition for a job, it becomes more difficult to interview and get that job. You have the added stress of trying to find a job without having your current employer find out.

Hmmm – Hawaii, I better do some research… =)

By: David Jacobs

David Jacobs — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:31:08 +0000

You can’t be a social media expert because Chris Brogan already is? That’s the dumbest thing I have ever heard. I have been a podcaster for over four years and involved daily in the social media space for over three. I’ve just recently began a social media consultancy and I already have my first clients. Am I a “true” social media consultant? I really don’t care what people inside the bubble say. For my clients here I’m true enough and giving them real help with their social media needs. Either you know your stuff or you don’t. There is a ton of opportunity right now for those that do.

By: jeremiah_owyang

jeremiah_owyang — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:17:54 +0000

Dave

Regarding “Suck it up” the threshold of pain is better defined now.

The difference between “I hate my job” vs “I dislike my job but I don’t have better options” is a bit more clear.

One thing is for sure, this is a great time to hire.

By: jeremiah_owyang

jeremiah_owyang — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:01:05 +0000

Serena, read my post about college grads, sadly, some fall into the under qualified spot.

http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/2009/02/04/the-dangers-of-being-under-and-over-qualified-during-a-recession/

By: Dave Atkins

Dave Atkins — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 16:55:51 +0000

Your advice to unhappy workers to “suck it up” is bad. OK, to a point, if you just itch for something a little better or have petty grievances, then yes, suck it up. But if you are unhappy in your job, you need to fix that because just burying your head in the sand means eventually you too will be laid off when the company goes under. While employed, you have a chance to search for something better or start your own business. When the layoff happens, you will have a harder time. Don’t be a victim.

I disagree with the layoff stigma. These days top people are being laid off and good companies are dying because of factors entirely beyond their control. There is no shame in being laid off. I will accept that you know CEOs who have this perception, fine. I don’t want to work for them.

As for social media experts, sure no one is an expert. But what matters is working with clients to serve their needs. Expertise is measured one client at a time and simply choosing someone because they have a long list of accomplishments is no guarantee they are the right fit.

By: Erika Berry a.k.a. CleanyBeany

Erika Berry a.k.a. CleanyBeany — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 16:54:29 +0000

As an entrepreneur and a Michigan resident,(we Know unemployment), I repeatedly hear “great time to start a biz” Startup money is tight all over, BUT for you techies. If you are willing to come to Michigan and become the next Google here check this out.http://www.lakeshoreadvantage.com/eventaddtxt3.asp?EventID=173. Best of luck to everyone suffering a job loss.

By: Serena

Serena — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 16:37:35 +0000

Great article. What are your thoughts on the chances for success of new college grads trying to break into the tech space?