Avoiding a Layoff After a Merger

As we move into the second quarter, many companies are reevaluating their productivity.

And, lots of women are losing jobs in the process!

In 2012, the total value of mergers and acquisitions was at $28.9 billion, with energy giant Glencore merging with Xstrata and the IntercontinentalExchange acquiring the New York Stock Exchange.

While organizational restructuring is nothing new to seasoned professionals, layoffs are inevitably part of such decisions – making the process unpredictable and, sometimes, scary.

If you believe a merger is in your company’s future, now is the time to showcase yourself as an indispensible asset by standing out from your colleagues and (tactfully) calling attention to your contributions.

Sara Burden, Vice President of Walden Businesses Inc., says, “Companies are afraid to lose valued employees.”

“Most of the time they will keep the stronger person or the person they trust,” she says.

Even if your position doesn’t make the cut, your company might try to find an alternate position if you are seen as a valuable part of the team.

But, there are times when new management prefers to bring in their “own” people and all you can do is try to align yourself with leaders and company objectives.

Burden believes we should always have our resumes prepared for the worst, keeping them relevant through continued education and diverse skill-building.

She also recommends expanding your social network.

The difference between made-the-cut or out-of-a-job could be who you know and how you market your skills to them.

Bonus PINK Link: Still uncertain about your position with the company? Here’s more on staying open to new opportunities.

Did someone you know get pushed out?

By Magen Singleton

“Anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.” JK Rowling