Who's left/been let go from a job recently? What are your plans?

[Turkey99]

Curious, what has everyone been dealing with on the job front, I know so many people who have been laid off or left their jobs recently, myself included. Anyone got big plans? Anyone scrambling with bills with huge housing prices and losing income?

[Buster]

sorry to hear it.

[Turkey99]

sorry to hear it.

Thanks, I chose to leave my previous position for more flexibility, which so far has worked out.
Just mostly hearing about a lot of lay offs within my circles, wondering how far reached it is and how people are doing. Or if by choice, what people moved from ---> to, and how it's going.

[Xtrema]

Not sure what industry you are in but for IT in Calgary, there are more people leaving for greener pasture then laid off. The recruitment nightmare actually started around summer last year.

And from my circle, been seeing a lot of "early" retirement as well with a mix of people who are not onboard of mandatory vax policies to actually being financially more secured because of the pandemic and decided to try something different/less stress.

To me this smell like late 90s and early 2000s where prolong downturn of 90s haved starved many business of qualified staff and once those quit, there is a huge generation gap that's very hard to fill.

[ShermanEF9]

Not sure what industry you are in but for IT in Calgary, there are more people leaving for greener pasture then laid off. The recruitment nightmare actually started around summer last year.

And from my circle, been seeing a lot of "early" retirement as well with a mix of people who are not onboard of mandatory vax policies to actually being financially more secured because of the pandemic and decided to try something different/less stress.

My industry (IT/Physical Security) there seems to be a lot of movement lately as well.

[ThePenIsMightier]

My only advice is to not quit until you have something else lined up. Seems obvious, but I've definitely seen folks go for several months without work so they would've been better if jumping into a lifeboat rather than jumping into the sea.

[Disoblige]

My only advice is to not quit until you have something else lined up. Seems obvious, but I've definitely seen folks go for several months without work so they would've been better if jumping into a lifeboat rather than jumping into the sea.
Pretty much this. It's worse than getting laid off as chances are there is some sort of package (even if it's not that much, it's something).

[Kloubek]

My only advice is to not quit until you have something else lined up. Seems obvious, but I've definitely seen folks go for several months without work so they would've been better if jumping into a lifeboat rather than jumping into the sea.

This is true; it's a challenging market. I went WAY too long without a job prior to my current position.

I have a deep yet somewhat specific skillset and even though I could have successfully performed many positions that I applied for, the competition of individuals who had specifically done those other jobs before (and were also looking for work), along with uncertainty of Covid for a while made finding a job nearly impossible. Even after the initial scare subsided, I still struggled with finding appropriate employment, and during all this process I burned through about 20g of savings. I had never experienced anything like it before, and it was much more difficult than I could have ever anticipated.

So yes - make sure you have somewhere to work before you leave, unless you have enough savings to bring you to retirement already. But if you're going to be facing typical bills you need to pay and not a lot of savings, I agree with ThePenIsMightier - it's absolutely best now more than ever to have something else lined up first.

[jaylo]

I actually left work to take a career break. With a huge demand in the workforce since last year, I do not see any issues landing a role at least here in Alberta.

It is a great time to check off your bucket list in life (places to visit, trips, hobbies, family).

It is also a good time to invest in yourself like going back to school, learning something new, and diversifying your skill sets.


I have been through some tough times and I always make sure that

a. Always be open to job opportunities and offers when employed
b. Always have a plan for the what if's in life (losing a job, etc.) and have enough insurance to support you and your family.
c. Stop buying stupid s*it that does not appreciate in value, unless it's essential

[killramos]

I’ve never had more headhunters poking me, and started a newish role last month.

[topmade]

Not sure what industry you are in but for IT in Calgary, there are more people leaving for greener pasture then laid off. The recruitment nightmare actually started around summer last year.

And from my circle, been seeing a lot of "early" retirement as well with a mix of people who are not onboard of mandatory vax policies to actually being financially more secured because of the pandemic and decided to try something different/less stress.

To me this smell like late 90s and early 2000s where prolong downturn of 90s haved starved many business of qualified staff and once those quit, there is a huge generation gap that's very hard to fill.

IT here and seeing this at my company as well and they even started to offer more flexibility to WFH to keep people from leaving.

[Disoblige]

I’ve never had more headhunters poking me, and started a newish role last month.
Legit roles from the headhunters though that you would actually consider? Or stuff that's kinda crappy...

[killramos]

Legit roles from the headhunters though that you would actually consider? Or stuff that's kinda crappy...

Mixed bag, there were a few that would have been interesting at the right comp.

[vengie]

If anyone is looking for a job and meets the criteria from the following list send me a PM and we can chat.

No I am not a recruiter, the company I am with is going through a massive growth phase.

*Note* some positions have been filled already.

- E&I Tech
- VP Digital Strategy
- Environmental and Regulatory Advisor / BA
- Sr. Design Engineer
- Director of People and Culture
- BD Manager - Telecoms
- Software Developer
- COO
- Product Design Engineer
- CFO
- Principle Engineer
- Marketing Specialist
- Technical Sales
- Outside Sales (Colorado)
- Outside Sales (Texas)
- Design Drafter
- PLC Programmer
- Warehouse Technician - Located in Balzac
- Shop Foreman - Located in Balzac
- Shop Helper - Located in Balzac
- Shipper and Receiver - Located in Balzac
- Mechanical Technician - Located in Balzac
- Journeyman electrician - Located in Balzac
- Welder x 2 - Located in Balzac
- Operations Engineer/ Technologist

[Kloubek]

I’ve never had more headhunters poking me, and started a newish role last month.

Me too. I thought given my management experience that getting another job wouldn't be a challenge, but perhaps WHERE I was a manager had something to do with it. Now that I manage the website for a chain, I guess I appear more marketable now and I get at least a couple solid, qualified inquiries monthly. It's a nice feeling after being unemployed so long.

[ExtraSlow]

If anyone is looking for a job and meets the criteria from the following list send me a PM and we can chat.

No I am not a recruiter, the company I am with is going through a massive growth phase.

*Note* some positions have been filled already.

- E&I Tech
- VP Digital Strategy
- Environmental and Regulatory Advisor / BA
- Sr. Design Engineer
- Director of People and Culture
- BD Manager - Telecoms
- Software Developer
- COO
- Product Design Engineer
- CFO
- Principle Engineer
- Marketing Specialist
- Technical Sales
- Outside Sales (Colorado)
- Outside Sales (Texas)
- Design Drafter
- PLC Programmer
- Warehouse Technician - Located in Balzac
- Shop Foreman - Located in Balzac
- Shop Helper - Located in Balzac
- Shipper and Receiver - Located in Balzac
- Mechanical Technician - Located in Balzac
- Journeyman electrician - Located in Balzac
- Welder x 2 - Located in Balzac
- Operations Engineer/ Technologist

Go work with this guy. Good stuff happening there.

[gmc72]

I was laid off in June of 2020 with nothing to move to. Got on EI right away (thanks COVID), and started searching. There was nothing for the longest time. Then some drafting jobs started showing up on the websites. Applied for all of them, and got nothing. It got to the point where I had to take a job as a school bus driver once EI ran out. Then a few weeks later was contacted by a company from Toronto that is hiring drafters. Got the job 2 months ago, and working form home. Thank goodness for my wife's stable position (teacher) and savings. We went through about 10k, but we cut back on everything. Hopefully this job plays out well and lasts a long time.

[ExtraSlow]

If anyone is getting hassled by headhunters, send them my contact info . . . .

[killramos]

If anyone is getting hassled by headhunters, send them my contact info . . . .

Do you have any skills?

[Xtrema]

I was laid off in June of 2020 with nothing to move to. Got on EI right away (thanks COVID), and started searching. There was nothing for the longest time. Then some drafting jobs started showing up on the websites. Applied for all of them, and got nothing. It got to the point where I had to take a job as a school bus driver once EI ran out. Then a few weeks later was contacted by a company from Toronto that is hiring drafters. Got the job 2 months ago, and working form home. Thank goodness for my wife's stable position (teacher) and savings. We went through about 10k, but we cut back on everything. Hopefully this job plays out well and lasts a long time.

Lately, I found more and more people getting jobs from GTA while staying put in Calgary. I think the pandemic and insane real estate market out there has open up a bit of opportunities for people outside of GTA as WFH becomes norm.

[ExtraSlow]

Do you have any skills?

Fuck, asking the tough questions right away....

[ThePenIsMightier]

He has PEOPLE SKILLS!!
What the Hell is wrong with you people!¡¡!!??

[Buster]

If anyone is looking for a job and meets the criteria from the following list send me a PM and we can chat.

No I am not a recruiter, the company I am with is going through a massive growth phase.

*Note* some positions have been filled already.

- E&I Tech
- VP Digital Strategy
- Environmental and Regulatory Advisor / BA
- Sr. Design Engineer
- Director of People and Culture
- BD Manager - Telecoms
- Software Developer
- COO
- Product Design Engineer
- CFO
- Principle Engineer
- Marketing Specialist
- Technical Sales
- Outside Sales (Colorado)
- Outside Sales (Texas)
- Design Drafter
- PLC Programmer
- Warehouse Technician - Located in Balzac
- Shop Foreman - Located in Balzac
- Shop Helper - Located in Balzac
- Shipper and Receiver - Located in Balzac
- Mechanical Technician - Located in Balzac
- Journeyman electrician - Located in Balzac
- Welder x 2 - Located in Balzac
- Operations Engineer/ Technologist

By coincidence, I'm actually trained in all of these jobs.

[vengie]

By coincident, I'm actually trained in all of these jobs.

I don't think I can afford you.

[ExtraSlow]

He has PEOPLE SKILLS!!
What the Hell is wrong with you people!¡¡!!??

I love you

[killramos]

By coincidence, I'm actually trained in all of these jobs.

CEO material right here.

[Xtrema]

By coincidence, I'm actually trained in all of these jobs.

You were a Welder?

https://forums.beyond.ca/threads/415173-RIP-Norm-MacDonald?p=5028114#post5028114

[schurchill39]

I switched industries in October-ish as I was not really keeping busy. Within a month of starting my new role the head hunters started coming in hard with guys looking to build teams back up for 2022 after everything being relatively quiet for the previous few years.

As a consultant in my last role the whole feast or famine for the last two years really sucked and ate into a lot of savings. Thankfully during busy times I could build it back up. The new gig is lower pay but it is consistent work and a better work/life balance during "busy" times. It also lets me build a new skillset while getting paid to learn so I think thats okay.

[Disoblige]

Buster's Resume:

- E&I Tech - visited site once and saw a transmitter in the plant facility, check.
- VP Digital Strategy - shops a lot on Amazon, check.
- Environmental and Regulatory Advisor / BA - know what AER stands for and a gist of what they do, check.
- Sr. Design Engineer - knows how to delegate to EITs, check.
- Director of People and Culture - took one hour mandatory course at work on workplace culture, check.
- BD Manager - Telecoms - knows how to use a company credit card/expense stuff, check.
- Software Developer - knows basic commands in Excel, check.
- COO - knows how to join Teams meetings, check.
- Product Design Engineer - see "EIT delegation" experience
- CFO - listened to a few ERs and dabbled in reading a financial statement, check.
- Principle Engineer - see "EIT delegation" experience
- Marketing Specialist - bullshitting specialist, check.
- Technical Sales - studies the brochure before meeting clients, check.
- Outside Sales (Colorado) - skiing experience, check.
- Outside Sales (Texas) - white, check.
- Design Drafter - MS paint experience, check.
- PLC Programmer - bought raspberry pi and played with it a couple times, check.
- Warehouse Technician - Located in Balzac - experience reorganizing basement, check.
- Shop Foreman - Located in Balzac - knows how to turn on and off light switch, check.
- Shop Helper - Located in Balzac - makes sure toilet works everyday, check.
- Shipper and Receiver - Located in Balzac - experience giving it and receiving it, check.
- Mechanical Technician - Located in Balzac - replaced toilet seat before, check.
- Journeyman electrician - Located in Balzac - only suffered minor burns from replacing light switch, check.
- Welder x 2 - Located in Balzac - owns 2 soldering guns, check.
- Operations Engineer/ Technologist - paper pusher, check.

[killramos]

It all seems to check out

[Buster]

Buster's Resume:

- E&I Tech - visited site once and saw a transmitter in the plant facility, check.
- VP Digital Strategy - shops a lot on Amazon, check.
- Environmental and Regulatory Advisor / BA - know what AER stands for and a gist of what they do, check.
- Sr. Design Engineer - knows how to delegate to EITs, check.
- Director of People and Culture - took one hour mandatory course at work on workplace culture, check.
- BD Manager - Telecoms - knows how to use a company credit card/expense stuff, check.
- Software Developer - knows basic commands in Excel, check.
- COO - knows how to join Teams meetings, check.
- Product Design Engineer - see "EIT delegation" experience
- CFO - listened to a few ERs and dabbled in reading a financial statement, check.
- Principle Engineer - see "EIT delegation" experience
- Marketing Specialist - bullshitting specialist, check.
- Technical Sales - studies the brochure before meeting clients, check.
- Outside Sales (Colorado) - skiing experience, check.
- Outside Sales (Texas) - white, check.
- Design Drafter - MS paint experience, check.
- PLC Programmer - bought raspberry pi and played with it a couple times, check.
- Warehouse Technician - Located in Balzac - experience reorganizing basement, check.
- Shop Foreman - Located in Balzac - knows how to turn on and off light switch, check.
- Shop Helper - Located in Balzac - makes sure toilet works everyday, check.
- Shipper and Receiver - Located in Balzac - experience giving it and receiving it, check.
- Mechanical Technician - Located in Balzac - replaced toilet seat before, check.
- Journeyman electrician - Located in Balzac - only suffered minor burns from replacing light switch, check.
- Welder x 2 - Located in Balzac - owns 2 soldering guns, check.
- Operations Engineer/ Technologist - paper pusher, check.

Lol

A+++

[suntan]

Thanks, cut and paste into my LinkedIn profile.

[suntan]

Lately, I found more and more people getting jobs from GTA while staying put in Calgary. I think the pandemic and insane real estate market out there has open up a bit of opportunities for people outside of GTA as WFH becomes norm.

These are permanent jobs? Are these companies registered in Alberta? It's a huge fucking PITA for companies to have out of province employees.

[killramos]

Its definitely a thing

[suntan]

Even national companies are insisting that perm WFH reside in the province they work.

IT contract remote work is hardly a new thing.

[Xtrema]

These are permanent jobs? Are these companies registered in Alberta? It's a huge fucking PITA for companies to have out of province employees.

It is. From what my cousin told me that retention is such a huge issue they are desperate enough to jump thru the hoops to tap on resources out here. He just quit his GTA job and got another GTA job while never left Calgary. I believe housing is a factor. Our cost is lower and still in a bit of downturn so there are more talent to be had for less.

This is why almost everyone is playing music chair in IT, country wide.

[rach]

been doing deliveries for the past 4 years, makes a living

[lasimmon]

I’ve jumped ship twice in the past year. First time to a similar company and the second time to a client side. Been good so far.

[ThePenIsMightier]

I’ve jumped ship twice in the past year. First time to a similar company and the second time to a client side. Been good so far.

Wow! Ballsy!
Glad it's going good.

[89coupe]

I have a lot of clients moving to the interior BC lately and working remotely.

Also have a lot of clients moving from Ontario to here for jobs.

All seem to be in the tech industry.

[suntan]

It is. From what my cousin told me that retention is such a huge issue they are desperate enough to jump thru the hoops to tap on resources out here. He just quit his GTA job and got another GTA job while never left Calgary. I believe housing is a factor. Our cost is lower and still in a bit of downturn so there are more talent to be had for less.

This is why almost everyone is playing music chair in IT, country wide.

Thanks. Good to know. Doesn't surprise me. Ontario is full of idiots.

It's funny though, it does make me wonder if companies are going to move their HQs out of there due to all the idiotic policies.

[holden]

Thanks. Good to know. Doesn't surprise me. Ontario is full of idiots.

It's funny though, it does make me wonder if companies are going to move their HQs out of there due to all the idiotic policies.

They are already coming over to buy up our real estate.

/ontarions_buying_real_estate_in_calgary/ (https://www.reddit.com/r/Calgary/comments/s71e7g/ontarions_buying_real_estate_in_calgary/)

[gmc72]

These are permanent jobs? Are these companies registered in Alberta? It's a huge fucking PITA for companies to have out of province employees.

The company that I work for now is doing a lot of Enbridge gas distribution piping, so they are looking for piping designers and there aren't a lot out there. Plus with WFH, they decided to look here due to higher unemployment in the O&G sector. Win-win for everyone involved I guess.

[ExtraSlow]

Two people have quit from my workplace in the last two weeks. Both found other opportunities. Market is heating up.

[suntan]

The company that I work for now is doing a lot of Enbridge gas distribution piping, so they are looking for piping designers and there aren't a lot out there. Plus with WFH, they decided to look here due to higher unemployment in the O&G sector. Win-win for everyone involved I guess.

OO======D

Hire me, look at my pipe.

[Xtrema]

It's funny though, it does make me wonder if companies are going to move their HQs out of there due to all the idiotic policies.

Cheap office space may lure some. The idea of owning a home may lure some gen Z out of GTA. But a lot of tech are still tied to talent pool out there. And Calgary seems to be a 2nd destination after Halifax. Seem like they are booming out there with space port in Cape Breton and trying to generate some sort of tech sector to encourage more to escape GTA.

[JfuckinC]

The company that I work for now is doing a lot of Enbridge gas distribution piping, so they are looking for piping designers and there aren't a lot out there. Plus with WFH, they decided to look here due to higher unemployment in the O&G sector. Win-win for everyone involved I guess.

yah everyone bailed cause the industry was dog shit, we're all fucked this year :rofl:

[suntan]

Cheap office space may lure some. The idea of owning a home may lure some gen Z out of GTA. But a lot of tech are still tied to talent pool out there. And Calgary seems to be a 2nd destination after Halifax. Seem like they are booming out there with space port in Cape Breton and trying to generate some sort of tech sector to encourage more to escape GTA.

Yeah the institutions here suck at producing IT talent.

[haggis88]

Can we re-name this to the 2022 Layoffs Mega Thread (Part X)

On-topic, I moved jobs twice last year. I'll be sticking this one out now until i'm physically unable, wife has said she'll finally come to terms with me working on-call and 100% travel

I wouldn't be desolate if she could have done that 7 years ago, but hey-ho

[Disoblige]

They are already coming over to buy up our real estate.

/ontarions_buying_real_estate_in_calgary/ (https://www.reddit.com/r/Calgary/comments/s71e7g/ontarions_buying_real_estate_in_calgary/)
With WFH being the norm moving forward for many folks, I hope more young Ontarians come over and buy downtown condos for their workspace haha. Plus they get to get off work 2 hours earlier :p

[ExtraSlow]

Some employers seem to give no fucks, some seem to care a lot.
There may be insurance or workers comp issues, plus tax issues with employees being in different provinces.

[corsvette]

I have a lot of clients moving to the interior BC lately and working remotely.

Also have a lot of clients moving from Ontario to here for jobs.

All seem to be in the tech industry.

Moved to the Okanagan myself, no regrets. I meet plenty of ex-Albertans that's for sure. Many that cashed out of O&G and took on self employment out here. I WFH mostly, also have a 20 acre hobby farm going that keeps us busy.

[MOB68]

Got layed off from a sales role peripherally related to O&G in 2020. I've been exploring what to do next in my career that isn't going to be as volatile (been through 3 or 4 downturns already) and have started some training related to residential energy efficiency since that seems like a growing area. I'm at least 5-months away from being able to work in that field, and that's assuming someone will hire a person coming from "O&G"... The good news is that I actually love learning about this stuff. And yeah, I watch Matt Risinger's YT channel religiously, lol.

[suntan]

Some employers seem to give no fucks, some seem to care a lot.
There may be insurance or workers comp issues, plus tax issues with employees being in different provinces.

I can absolutely tell you there are insurance, wcb and corporate presence issues. Giving no fucks becomes a huge problem. Ask me how I know.

[bjstare]

With WFH being the norm moving forward for many folks, I hope more young Ontarians come over and buy downtown condos for their workspace haha. Plus they get to get off work 2 hours earlier :p

Working in an Eastern time zone sucks, unless you work with union 9-5ers.

When I was working on a TO-based engagement this summer it just meant instead of working 7:30-6:00, I worked 5:30-6:00.

[killramos]

* laughs in capital markets *

[89coupe]

Moved to the Okanagan myself, no regrets. I meet plenty of ex-Albertans that's for sure. Many that cashed out of O&G and took on self employment out here. I WFH mostly, also have a 20 acre hobby farm going that keeps us busy.

That’s awesome, congrats!

My last client who moved there ended up Managing a winery.

[gmc72]

With WFH being the norm moving forward for many folks, I hope more young Ontarians come over and buy downtown condos for their workspace haha. Plus they get to get off work 2 hours earlier :p

That's what I thought, but no. The others in the drafting department don't start until around 10am their time. :banghead:

[Turkey99]

Moved to the Okanagan myself, no regrets. I meet plenty of ex-Albertans that's for sure. Many that cashed out of O&G and took on self employment out here. I WFH mostly, also have a 20 acre hobby farm going that keeps us busy.

That's fantastic congrats, what do you have on your hobby farm?

Sounds like lots of WFH opportunities in IT, but I was in Technical Sales which doesn't quite translate. I like my consulting gig now but also like hearing what others have done to make the best of this market.

[msommers]

My last layoff in October turned out to be a blessing. Got a package when leaving and found a new job a week later that pays more. Being able to switch from O&G to Mining was a challenge but opened up a lot of doors. All require travel but eventually will all point to office work from home which is my long term goal, especially with planning for kiddos in the conversation.

Crazy how fast O&G got busy again though. Field guys offering me some crazy day rates, sounds like they're all scrambling. I just don't see it lasting. My opinion is that this is Alberta's last "boom" from O&G. I'm hopeful that lithium, hydrogen and geothermal sectors become lucrative. Methane emissions management certainly will be.

[ExtraSlow]

Anyone who gets any bonuses or raises, save your money, pay down debt, invest.
103969

[killramos]

Anyone who gets any bonuses or raises, save your money, pay down debt, invest.
103969

You aren’t the boss of me

[flipstah]

Anyone who gets any bonuses or raises, save your money, pay down debt, invest.
103969

So... No on the green AMG GT-R...

[ShermanEF9]

So... No on the green AMG GT-R...

AMG GT-R is an investment.. I promise! #shaklogic or something.

[never]

Anyone who gets any bonuses or raises, save your money, pay down debt, invest.

But what if you get raises and bonuses??

[JfuckinC]

But what if you get raises and bonuses??

Save the money you make on the raise, spend the bonus to turbo LS anything you can find. Then end up using the money from the raise on AN fittings and fancy parts you dont actually need.

[ExtraSlow]

Save the money you make on the raise, spend the bonus to turbo LS anything you can find. Then end up using the money from the raise on AN fittings and fancy parts you dont actually need.
I can't argue with this. I'm not a car guy, so I probably would do something boring.

[never]

Save the money you make on the raise, spend the bonus to turbo LS anything you can find. Then end up using the money from the raise on AN fittings and fancy parts you dont actually need.

I was just wondering if ExtraSlow had more general wisdom but this feels very specific for certain people!

[2Legit2Quit]

All of my extra funds go to Marios lottery group

[JfuckinC]

I was just wondering if ExtraSlow had more general wisdom but this feels very specific for certain people!

definitely lots of people i know haha...

[Buster]

All of my extra funds go to Marios lottery group

You mean "Mario's Charity"?

[killramos]

Every paycheck into bitcoin yo!

[ExtraSlow]

I was just wondering if ExtraSlow had more general wisdom but this feels very specific for certain people!

ExtraSlow is the most boring fucking guy. He just pays down debt and buys index ETF's in his RRSP.

[Strider]

Every paycheck into bitcoin yo!
Digital monkey caricatures. To the moon!

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

ExtraSlow is the most boring fucking guy. He just pays down debt and buys index ETF's in his RRSP.

Same. Anytime I run into unexpected money I made a rule to save it starting about five years ago.