Laurie Ruettimann recently posted a letter from Matthew Clark on her site Punk Rock HR. I found his letter particularly stirring, not for his story of being laid off multiple times, but for his attitude throughout the process.
Any while he is now looking for work again, I wanted to draw your attention to one of the most important aspects of Matthew’s letter:
And, while it is not the most desirable, I also understand that these corporations had an obligation to the greater populous, not just to me or the few who were released. I have worked diligently to promote my employers and have made significant contributions in each role. But, because of Corporate decisions related to sales, my jobs have been sacrificed, having nothing to do with job performance.
There is one thing that you really need to keep in mind throughout your working life. A company’s sole objective is to generate profits, not to employ you. I have heard from too many bitter job hunters that believe that they are entitled to their positions because they “won” their job through the interview process. This is simply not the case and leads to all sorts of harmful emotions when a layoff arrives.
Matthew really seems to understand this concept and I commend him for it. There isn’t any bitterness or anger in his words, only understanding and resolve to find a new position. I truly hope that he finds a rewarding role in the near future. I would guess that he is already well on his way.
