Moving on...

[fullcontactmuse]

I've made the decission to leave Microsoft and will likely be putting in my two notice on Friday.  I have truly enjoyed the bulk of my work for the company and have learned a great many things.  But the last year and a half has really burned me out and if the rumors are to be believed I would like be one of the first people to let go in the coming waves of lay off for our group.  Franky, I'd rather leave on my terms than theirs.

I've been working Monster.Com like a dog and last night I got a call from a recruiter that found me and it sounds extremely promising.  I have a meeting with him tomorrow and we'll see what happens.  Seems like what happened the last time some recruiter found me.  The recruiter worked for Volt and was looking to hire someone for MS.

Big, big scary step letting go of the safety net like this.  Hopefully I land on my feet and can hit the ground running.

Comments

[gaaneden.livejournal.com]

But, if they are laying you off, wouldn't it be better to get the layoff severence package?

Of serverence packages and men...

[fullcontactmuse.livejournal.com]

Not to be a pessimist, I prefer the term "realist" anyways, I'm not expecting one.

Washington state is an "at will" state. What this means is that at any, for any reason, except those prohibited by law, an employer or employee can sever their relationship with the other. Obviously, there are other factors that may keep the relationship going, like NDA's, Non-Compete agreements, etc. Microsoft is an "at will" company as well.

Being fired, or managed out was the term my manager used a month or two back, might give a severance package. It also makes me eligible for unemployment. Those are the "benefits" of being fired.

The down side of being fired includes: Not being eligable for rehire at Microsoft, even as a contractor. This is probably the biggest downfall of being let go. While I'm not happy working here anymore, which I attribute more to my current role than the company as a whole, I'd rather not burn that bridge. The other downfall of being laid off is not being elligable (sp!) to be a Microsoft Alumni, which grants company store access when I am no longer working here.

It's certainly not an easy decission and it's going to have it's ups and down, but I think that I will be better in the end because of it. As I told gypsiequeen today, it's the "Clark Cockroach" gene. We'll survive and we will flourish. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it. ;)

Re: Of serverence packages and men...

[gaaneden.livejournal.com]

Is it a firing or a re-org? As in, will you have the six weeks to look for another job within MS? Laying off is very different than "firing".

Re: Of serverence packages and men...

[fullcontactmuse.livejournal.com]

I wish it was a re-org, but it's not. Well, maybe not, that's how I got this role in the first place. I don't think I'll be put on "Job Find" to be honest and I'm not certain I'm in the best frame of mind for it. If I leave on my turns, the bridge won't be smoldering if I decide to come back. I've realized I've been amazingly apathetic these past couple of months and down right bitter for months before that. That's not a good way to feel about your work.

I don't really agree with the "laying off" is different than "firing." One sounds nicer than the other is about all. And of course, where does "managed out of the group" fit into the picture.

Maybe a year or two out in the "real world" and I'll be ready to come back. I mean, the toys I get to play with here are real cool!