Find Jamin Online:

• Email: jamin@happymr.com 
  
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jaminbrazil
  
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/jaminbrazil 
  

Find Us Online: 

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/happymrxp 
  
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/happymarketresearch 
  
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/happymrxp 
  
• Website: www.happymr.com 
  

Music: 

• “Clap Along” by Auditionauti: https://audionautix.com 
  

This Episode is Sponsored by:

The Michigan State University’s Master of Science in Marketing Research Program delivers the #1 ranked insights and analytics graduate degree in three formats: 

• Full-time on campus 
  
• Full-time online 
  
• Part-time online
  

NEW FOR 2022: 

If you can’t commit to their full degree program, simply begin with one of their 3-course certificates: Insights Design or Insights Analysis. 

In addition to the certification, all the courses you complete will build toward your graduation.

If you are looking to achieve your full potential, check out MSMU’s programs at: broad.msu.edu/marketing.

HubUX is a research operation platform for private panel management, qualitative automation including video audition questions, and surveys. 

For a limited time, user seats are free. If you’d like to learn more or create your own account, visit hubux.com. 

This is the second and final post in our series on how generations are viewing the job market and what you can do to ensure you are well prepared for whatever comes. 

Background

In our first episode in this series, we talked about the impact of the US economy on the job market. We also looked at how concerned people actually are about being laid off in the next 12-months. But, with every cloud is a silver lining. In this case, that silver lining is for employers who expressed that there will be some major benefits with a more balanced job market. 

If didn’t tune into that episode, you can find the link in the show notes:

https://happymr.com/ep-562-intergenerational-views-on-the-job-market/

Today, we will be addressing:

1. How are generation preparing for changes to the job market? 
   
2. What advice would members of different generations give to the unfortunate souls that are laid off?
   

Why Do Companies Do Layoffs? 

Bad news is bad news. But, understanding the why can help many of us mentally cope with aftermath. 

So, you may find it helpful to understand the business rational for layoffs. And, by understanding a bit more about why companies do layoffs you are more likely to recognize when they are coming and be proactive to avoid or even profit from them. 

Overall, the 300 people we interviewed were positive about the job market despite the difficulties many companies are and will face because of the recession. There will be a lot of job transition as some companies thrive while others suffer and even go out of business. Here is what a few people said,

https://youtu.be/0Zvdma8OOPM

https://youtube.com/shorts/TaukU8q-puw?feature=share

I can speak to the topic of layoffs with some authority. Having built a company from 0-200 full time employees and having been the CEO of a 400-person firm, layoffs are a normal part of any company’s lifecycle. There are a few reasons for this:

Reason 1: Obsolete Function

Healthy companies are in a perpetual state of improving both profitability and growth. Put simply, they invest in systems, people, and technology that allows them to make more money with less resources.  

Here is an example from the warehousing industry: Hiring challenges, workers’ comp, and the promise of more efficient and profitable operations are forcing companies to invest in warehouse automation. Definitionally, automation is designed to replace people. By replacing people companies realize a significant amount of savings over time along with productive improvements. 

Reason 2: Improved Profits

Lower wages in other countries are driving companies to move jobs from the US. For many US companies that have 50+ employees doing a similar job function, like program or QAing surveys, they can realize a significant cost savings by moving those jobs to countries like Bulgaria or India. I know because I’ve done it. This isn’t an easy transition, takes a long time, and is usually easy to spot if you are employee. 

Reason 3: Economic Downturn 

This is the hardest one to cope with because employees usually don’t have visibility that there is an issue until they are laid off. And, as we enter a recession this is what many of us will face. 

In all cases, layoffs have nothing to do with the employees that are impacted. Tens, hundreds, or even thousands of your peers are losing their jobs too. You are not alone. 

However, even with the knowledge that you are not alone, being laid off will likely put you on tilt. And, that is why it is important to have a plan while you are in a sane and safe state of mind. 

What to do if you get laid off? 

We asked 300 people what they’d recommend to those who have been laid off. 

Our survey included a few video questions and here is what they said. Please note that I choose the videos that had the broadest representation of what was said. If you’d like access to this data, please email at jamin@hubux.com or DM me on LinkedIn. I’m happy to share it with you.  

As of today, August 15^th, 2022, there is no question that companies are starting to do layoffs. Here are some helpful tips to ensure you are well prepared for whatever comes. 

Tip 1: Stay Positive & Proactive 

Here is one of our participants talking about the importance of being proactive and staying positive. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/r_IQLXtgWOo?feature=share

Tip 2: Start Saving

Having a savings is vital. This was the number one tip given by our participants who were 30+ years old. 

https://youtu.be/FkMoGF9ZTXc

Standard financial advice says you should have enough cash in your savings account to live on for three to six months. Sadly, according to research done by Bankrate, “51%, of Americans have less than three months’ worth of emergency savings.” 

Tip 3: Create a Budget 

Having a budget is the best place to start when increasing your savings. As you go through the budget process, classify each of your expenses as “mandatory” or “optional”. This will give you two numbers:

1. Your current budget
   
2. Your emergency budget
   

Tip 4: Add Margin to Your Budget

Margin is vital to successful planning for a difficult financial time. The most common rule of thumb for creating a household budget is that “At least 20% of your income should go towards savings. Meanwhile, another 50% (maximum) should go toward necessities, while 30% goes toward discretionary items.”

https://youtu.be/fE-ZQsnLr2U

Add margin in your budget.

By identifying discretionary budget items you can remove, like $8 dollar coffees, you’ll be well prepared to react to whatever comes rather than trying to figure things out when you are emotionally and mentally on tilt. 

Tip 5: Your Network

The size and quality of your personal network is directly connected to the number and quality of the job opportunities you have. So, invest in your network. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/zWcq9oTAKBk?feature=share

Tip 6: Your Skills

For most of us who have jobs, especially for a long time, we slowdown or even stop investing in learning new skills or developing the ones we have. We need to be in a constant state of learning and evolving to keep pace with today’s work. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/-jTJUnRgm58?feature=share

Tip 7: Side Hustle 

Developing a side hustle such as occasionally driving for Uber or doing some side consulting will ensure you are setup to lean into these income sources if you are laid off. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/028IDdOaZk4?feature=share

Tip 8: Minimum Wage Job (Be Humble) 

If you have bills, then you likely need an income. Too often people who are capable of doing menial labor but have spent the last 20 years in management simply can’t “lower” themselves for a few months. Not only can this help put food on the table but it may offer you a new perspective on challenges facing frontline workers which may serve you very well in your next gig.

https://youtu.be/_-EpKkERjUI

Tip 9: Recruiters

Be sure to get to know the staffing agents and recruiters in your field. For Market Research, you can join the weekly MRxPros’ Virtual Lunch (DM me for a free invite) as well as the Insights Association to easily make those connection. 

https://youtu.be/WUw2NrCzyf0

Tip 10: Unemployment & Food Stamps

Don’t be too prideful. These are services that you have paid into and are setup to help you get through tough times. 

https://youtu.be/OML0RlURoBs

Outcome

I’m thankful for the advice given by our participants. Through them, we have created the most comprehensive list of both preparation and survival tips to not just survive a layoff but thrive through it. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/uJE7W7eGJmU?feature=share

If you would like to learn more about this research or about how you can use HubUX to shorten timelines and save money, you can find me on any social platform or email me directly at jamin@hubux.com. 

Happy Researching!