Happy to be gone.

Anonymous

Guest
When I was laid off, I was anxious and happy at the same time. It was a terrible time to be out of work, but it has been the greatest change of my life. I got a much better job and I am treated like an adult. You will be surprised how much better your life is when you don't have to work for Novartis anymore. If you get laid off, thank your lucky stars. The economy is a little better now. Go out and find a new job. You will be very happy you did.
 






I can't tell you how on the mark this post is. My life is totally changed for the better and I can't believe I obsessed over all the b.s. I did for years. Congratulations OP, by the way, what industry are you in now?
 






I was also one of the chosen to get the axe. I am a consultant for a large medical entity now, just received my first commission check for $25,000. With the sign on bonus, I have exceeded my salary for last year including bonus. Life is good, just don't think you have to jump back into the vat of crap again. BTW, I sleep every night and don't have an idiot ride with me every other week.
 






I wished to be layed off this past December. I was dismayed to learn that I had kept my job. I would have gladly switched out with somebody who had been layed off, and take their severance. But how do you bring that idea up to your FLM?
My only hope is to be layed off with severance before I resign on my own. It is a concern that I give my notice and then hear that layoffs with severance are coming a month later!
Advice?
 












We are all stuck in this big pile of pig s@#t. Every job I ever had before this was better than this. I can't take it anymore. I can't stay here and be treated like an a$$h0le anymore.
 






When I was laid off, I was anxious and happy at the same time. It was a terrible time to be out of work, but it has been the greatest change of my life. I got a much better job and I am treated like an adult. You will be surprised how much better your life is when you don't have to work for Novartis anymore. If you get laid off, thank your lucky stars. The economy is a little better now. Go out and find a new job. You will be very happy you did.

I'M A 55 YEAR OLD WHITE MALE, RUTGERS/BOSTON COLLEGE DID A STUDY OF PEOPLE OVER 50 THAT LOST THEIR JOBS. 76% OF THEM NEVER FIND ANOTHER POSITION AND THAT'S A FACT AND 50% OF 40 YEAR OLDS NEVER FIND A POSITION. SO DON'T GIVE ME YOUR "GO FIND A JOB" WHAT DO YOU THINK I'VE BEEN DOING. AMERICA WHAT A GREAT COUNTRY!
 






I am over 60, caucasion, male and found a job. Every person working in any industry should network and make sure they are in a position to change if the circumstance dictates. This involves not thinking you have to continue doing what you always have done. You have to be proactive and sell yourself like you sold whatever you were previously selling!! Make sure you explore every avenue you had before the axe fell.
 






I am over 60, caucasion, male and found a job. Every person working in any industry should network and make sure they are in a position to change if the circumstance dictates. This involves not thinking you have to continue doing what you always have done. You have to be proactive and sell yourself like you sold whatever you were previously selling!! Make sure you explore every avenue you had before the axe fell.

Yeh but remember, in pharma, we ain't really selling anything.

We may have to move to India and try to get work in a call center.

Hello this is "jack fokker", how can I assist you today? Do you know a good place for curry?

If you have problem with your credit card, "PEGGY" is sitting in the next cube.
 






I am over 60, caucasion, male and found a job. Every person working in any industry should network and make sure they are in a position to change if the circumstance dictates. This involves not thinking you have to continue doing what you always have done. You have to be proactive and sell yourself like you sold whatever you were previously selling!! Make sure you explore every avenue you had before the axe fell.

I DON'T WANT TO BE A GREETER AT WALMART
 












I am a white male over 40. I agree while being displaced was unsettling at first, but having time away has brought an invigorating sense of release. The "golden handcuffs" are off, no DM's trying to mold me into twisted versions of themselves as was bashed into their brains from the grossly outdated training format. I've secured a position outside of the industry where people are praised for their experience and expertise, not punished because the CFO, who is obviously running the show needs another couple mil to line his pocket before he jumps ship to ensure the demise of another company. Being released last year has been probably the best thing that's happened to my carrer since first entering into this unforgiving industry. I feel that I can actually have a career, instead of a job that is in jeopardy at no fault of mine on a quarterly basis. There are positions for everyone, you just have to be patient, network your butt off, and be persistent. Most importantly stay positive. People can smell negativity, especially when interviewing. I have no hostility toward NVS moving forward, and have maintained a positive attitude throughout the entire process of re-entering the worforce. I am doing what those of you who weren't appreciated should also do, find a company that hasn't lost it's identity and thrive. When mistreated in business, the best revenge is reaching a level of success beyond those who've under estimated your value.
 






I am a white male over 40. I agree while being displaced was unsettling at first, but having time away has brought an invigorating sense of release. The "golden handcuffs" are off, no DM's trying to mold me into twisted versions of themselves as was bashed into their brains from the grossly outdated training format. I've secured a position outside of the industry where people are praised for their experience and expertise, not punished because the CFO, who is obviously running the show needs another couple mil to line his pocket before he jumps ship to ensure the demise of another company. Being released last year has been probably the best thing that's happened to my carrer since first entering into this unforgiving industry. I feel that I can actually have a career, instead of a job that is in jeopardy at no fault of mine on a quarterly basis. There are positions for everyone, you just have to be patient, network your butt off, and be persistent. Most importantly stay positive. People can smell negativity, especially when interviewing. I have no hostility toward NVS moving forward, and have maintained a positive attitude throughout the entire process of re-entering the worforce. I am doing what those of you who weren't appreciated should also do, find a company that hasn't lost it's identity and thrive. When mistreated in business, the best revenge is reaching a level of success beyond those who've under estimated your value.


UNFORTUNATELY MY FORMER PODMATES HAVE SLANDERED ME TO THE POINT WHERE I'M LOOKING TO LEGAL ACTION, I ACTUALLY HAD A JOB OFFER UNTIL ONE OF MY FORMER PODMATES FOUND OUT ABOUT IT GOT THE DM'S NUMBER AND CALLED HIM TO TELL HIM I DIDN'T WORK OFFER RECINDED. I'M IN DEEP DEEP TROUBLE
 






if true and you can prove it you can take him to the cleaners. That is typical Novartis. They are so used to doing it internally that they believe they have the right to speak about you to anyone.
 












To the person blindsided by former counterpart: get out of the business, don't let anyone you don't trust know what you are planning, and then, like the other guy said, kick ass!!
 






Not that I thought so at first, but layoff was a blessing. I'm happy in my new job. Making a little more. But most important: My contribution is appreciated, and wow, I'd forgotten how motivating that is!
 






If you want out of Novartis, start working on getting out now. Network with your target physicians. Talk to them about opportunities that exist within their hospital system. Hospitals don't train salespeople. They hire people that have that skill set. They often need people who can build relationships within the communities they serve. This is exactly what you do at Novartis.
 






The last poster was spot on!! Those of us who thrived in the last downsizing spent most of our career getting to know the inside/out of the whole industry. We knew who was the administrator of the Health Care system. We know and interacted with the physicians who made key decisions. We discussed hypotheticals about where health care is going, what roles would be necessary, etc. There is a lot of money to be made in health care, and if you were good at what you did plus made the necessary contacts, you are set up to weather whatever happens. I would just caution everyone--if you CAN, hold out for the bones that the company must throw you to keep you from suing them. This will give you fabulous pin money for your transition.
 






If you want out of Novartis, start working on getting out now. Network with your target physicians. Talk to them about opportunities that exist within their hospital system. Hospitals don't train salespeople. They hire people that have that skill set. They often need people who can build relationships within the communities they serve. This is exactly what you do at Novartis.

TRIED THAT, AS SOON AS PODMATES FOUND SABOTAGED AGAIN, YOU CAN'T RECOMMEND HIM HE DOESN'T WORK. WE HAD TO ALL HIS WORK.