Ask the Experts: Government Assistance for Displaced Workers

Question:

I have 15 years of entry level through managerial experience in information technology, of which the last four to five years have been in SAP. Six months before 9/11, I moved from Texas to northern Virginia but then was laid off because of the resulting recession. I can’t find work here that pays enough because the cost of living here is so high. I’d move, but employers in other areas won’t pay for my relocation or are only willing to offer contract positions.

Those who worked at the Pentagon or the World Trade Center received financial assistance. Other government workers received financial assistance. I’ve received nothing.

Employers and the President say that people like me can’t find work because we didn’t keep our skills up-to-date, yet they won’t give me the help that I need to acquire the new skills. I’m not interested in just working. I want to do the work that I’ve always done. Your advice?

First Answer:

My advice is the tough-love kind. As a career coach for 10 years, I’ve spent the last few years helping people like yourself deal with the major paradigm shift prompted by the tech bubble and subsequent recession. Here’s a headlock and a few noogies for you.

2. Just say “No” to feeling sorry for yourself, feeling entitled to something more, and comparing your situation with other people’s. That’s certainly not going to help you get a job!

3. Since you’re at the 15-year mark, this is not your first recession! Realize (and PLAN for the fact) that markets are cyclical, that they go up and down. The rate and severity of change is increased in a truly global marketplace. The result? Sometimes you earn more (and if you’re smart, save more), other times you earn less (and use savings if need be). Sometimes employers are desperate for good employees and willingly pay for expensive extras like relocation and training. Other times they know that the right person will come to them. To stay competitive, be flexible, proactive, and willing to take care of the necessary details yourself if need be.

4. And finally, I think contract work is absolutely fantastic. Unlike “full-time” jobs, contract work helps you keep your wits about you, reminding you that it (like all jobs) are temporary and subject to end with short notice. I know plenty of smart IT folk who are making a full-time living by saying “Yes!” to two or more serial contract assignments each year. Are these assignments always the most challenging? No. But they are good things to be doing while looking for work that really suits.

Now get out there and get a great job!

— Tracy Laswell Williams, certified job and career transition coach, accredited resume writer and founder of CAREER-Magic.com

Second Answer:

I’m sorry that the terrorist attacks have impacted your career. Alas, the horrific events of 9/11 left their mark on every American, and in so many different ways. The job market deflated after these events. It hasn’t really returned full-throttle since then, despite the rosy picture some economists continue to paint for public consumption.

That being said, I am not sure why you think that you are entitled to financial assistance for your pain and suffering. The people who worked at the Pentagon or whose places of employment were obliterated by physical devastation are in a different situation that you are.

As to not keeping your skills up to date, I also can’t see how this is anyone’s fault but your own. If you need to acquire new skills, it is your responsibility to make that happen! There are volunteer services that can help you update skills if you need that and can’t afford it, and places where you can pay as your earn or maybe get a scholarship or deferred payment plans. There really isn’t any reason why, if you honestly feel your skills are too outdated to make you competitive, you can’t get the help you need to move forward in your life and career.

You might still also find an employer who will help you make a move to a new city if you really want to do that. Some employers will reimburse for moving expenses. I don’t know your family situation, but if you really need to move and no employer will provide the cash, maybe you could think about moving to a place where you have family members or good friends who could put you up for a few months while you get back on your feet.

The problem as I see it isn’t your lack of skills OR cash, but mainly your perception of your situation. It sounds like you want a handOUT, not a hand,UP. Life isn’t the same for anyone since 9/11 but a few years have gone by since then and it’s time to get back into action. You may want things to be as they were, and you may want to do the same thing you always did, but that might not be possible. The key to success is to learn how to be more flexible and optimistic. My advice? Update your attitude to see that you have to adjust to a new world…then, update your skills.

— Alison Blackman Dunham, life & career expert, columnist, personal public relations consultant, half of THE ADVICE SISTERS®, and the author of the ASK ALISON career advice column

Third Answer:

It sounds like you may have experience in IT that is being outsourced. If so, you are among a growing number of American workers who are
being forced to upgrade their skills or even change careers at their
expense.

It is important that you approach this difficult career situation as a challenge. This will require a positive, enthusiastic approach to getting
a job. Your attitude must be that you will do what it takes to get a job in
a difficult job market. If this requires improving your job skills, then you
must determine the area in which you need to improve and find
a way to do it.

If a job is especially appealing, you might consider paying your own expenses for relocating. If you improve your job interview skills and
approach the interview with a positive, can do attitude, you will be
ahead of the competition and land the job that is right for you.

I can suggest that you start improving your interview skills by reviewing the tips and information I have available at my web
site at www.interviewcoach.com.

— Carole Martin, The Interview Coach

Fourth Answer:

From this third-party perspective, you have quite a few positives happening for yourself. It would be good if you took an hour to evaluate, in a positive light, what you’ve just described. Then take another hour or so to start mapping out a strategy for yourself.

Before your lay-off, you were doing SAP. I looked up the meaning of SAP on Webpoedia and found it is a type of identity detection protocol for networks. The aftermath of 9/11 heightened the need for IT people who are well versed in security, identification and intrusion detection protocols.

The other thing that has occurred because of the 2000 Internet bust is the increase in contract work.

You can consider yourself a pioneer who is riding on the top-most part of the current crest of change. Taking some of those contract jobs will help you move further forward as a specialist and expert in your chosen area. While on those jobs, you can find out if the client wants you to do any extra work that is new. However, the economy is not allowing a lot of contract training. It would be wise to use those contract dollars to sponsor yourself through an enrichment course or so on whichever protocol is of most interest to you. For some ideas about where online education opportunities may be found, you can check my Education Center.

If you haven’t been keeping up, you may want to check out Internet.com, ITWorld’s Security channel for the latest articles and webcasts, and Tech Republic’s peer discussions. Then also check the niche tech job boards in addition to researching which employers you’re interested in that have opportunities posted on their websites.

May all of your Entrances be through the doors of success!

— Yvonne LaRose, career and professional development coach, Career and Executive Recruiting Advice

Fifth Answer:

Ah, the inequities of tragedy. Personally, I know that my friend who lost her firefighter husband on 9-11 would give up every penny of what came her way for his return. So would another who lost her husband on the 105th floor. These women and thousands of other family members probably don’t have to work anymore – but they do because they want to make a difference.

I may be reading into this but you say that you can’t find work that pays enough – does this mean you’re not taking these jobs because they don’t pay enough and concentrating on finding jobs that do? Not to preach, but crazy times call for crazy actions – start small then rise to the challenge. Work as hard for three-quarters of the pay and then do more…you never know how your ethic will be perceived. Want to make a difference – work harder when times are tough. Talk to your SAP reps and offer your services pro bono to other companies in the midst of ERP implementations. Start a local user group. Teach SAP to college seniors. Volunteer your time to not-for-profits with systems issues. Present a seminar (or two) at regional I/T User Groups. Teach a course at a community college. You want to make a difference? Well, go make a difference. And quit whining.

— Steve Levy, Principal of outside-the-box Consulting

Sixth Answer:

There is assistance available from various levels of government to displaced workers. The U.S. federal government, for example, offers many services to help workers and employers deal with the effects of layoffs and plant closures.

— Steven Rothberg, President and Founder of CollegeRecruiter.com.

Originally posted by alwin