I reached out to former coworkers after I left and received nothing in return. Months of silence. Then suddenly they were the ones asking for job leads and I had zero incentive to respond. I realized all of us made the same mistake. If you want help from people at some point, make sure to maintain those connections even when you don't need anything.
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@ac I've referenced lots of people, and visa versa.
I've had interviews at companies based largely on previous contacts, there are some really good people around...(not many but..)
They mostly didnt pan-out though, probably more as I didnt fit their demographic (agism is alive and well in IT)...they can get you in the door, but they cant get you the job if the team wants some other profi'e, it just doesnt work that way...
I also experienced this exact thing! I was the one that actually protected so many from getting layed off, promoted a few leaders when there was initially little support for it, made sure they had executive visibility and so on. In the midst of it all, I never took care of tooting my own ho-n. When I got LR-ed, I didn’t hear back at all. This is what made the LR hit hard for me, not leaving the company because I got another role within weeks and ultimately didn’t even have a single day of being out of a job. But I was just so sad that these people had turned their backs on me instantly- when even a simple phone call or text would have cheered me up. This still haunts me- how could I failed so badly to read these people, how could I fail to play the most basic of workplace politics. But this too shall pass, I will be in a stronger position sooner or later and this time I will have learnt my lessons.
You did your job. Your job came to an end. Your co-workers became former co-workers.
Cisco is bad and not a good company
I also experienced this exact thing! I was the one that actually protected so many from getting layed off, promoted a few leaders when there was initially little support for it, made sure they had executive visibility and so on. In the midst of it all, I never took care of tooting my own ho-n. When I got LR-ed, I didn’t hear back at all. This is what made the LR hit hard for me, not leaving the company because I got another role within weeks and ultimately didn’t even have a single day of being out of a job. But I was just so sad that these people had turned their backs on me instantly- when even a simple phone call or text would have cheered me up. This still haunts me- how could I failed so badly to read these people, how could I fail to play the most basic of workplace politics. But this too shall pass, I will be in a stronger position sooner or later and this time I will have learnt my lessons.
Working at Cisco felt very transactional!
Leaving Cisco via an LR was tough, especially after delivering high-impact results for the product and team. It took time to process the experience and rebuild my self-worth.
The ultimate irony? I just saw my exact former job title posted online. I guess they never managed to replace me. They're just trying to find someone to do it now for less money.
Today, I'm in a much better place, working with leaders who actually invest in my growth.
Same feeling, this site is dying due to AI.
Kick this no value site far away!
Simply ask ChatGPT or Gemini.
Far accurate than waste time here.
For 2026 onwards - quit before you are put on a PIP.
If your role was recently made dual, you are taking on extra responsibilities, or there was any consolidation, avoid a PIP and resign. Otherwise there will be no compensation as they make a case.
Simply ask Gemini.
Ask AI is better than any rumor here.
Last LR prove it.
No value.
Spent well over 25 years in the machine. What was great at the beginning with peers across the US actually becoming what you thought was a friendship. Not even close. The closest pretty much became acquaintances. Several LRd only call when they wanted info on a potential return or something similar. Nothing about how are you doing, etc.I don't need a ton of friends but I want friends that will step up and be someone that takes a friendship seriously. Not just someone that thinks they can drop a line once a year asking for something. I don't have the time nor the need for someone like that.
no matter how strong your relationship is with peers , minute you are LR , you are ghost, very sad and happens to everyone sooner or later. I always try to ping to see how they are before they cut their access and encourage as possible but never think anyone you left behind will help , youre on your own.
I'm sorry but this sounds like the typical ex-Cisco narcissistic sociopath. Only out for themselves. Lying lying more bullsh-t lies. Unless it benefits them or makes them look good.
Oh they helped starving kids in Africa on LinkedIn? - find out they took all the donations.
Oh wow they helped the homeless? Find out they made their stay at home spouse and kids homeless when they cheated and cut off all support.
Oh wow they are an AI expert? Find out they have no training and are just making up cr-p.
Oh wow they worked in Italy? Find out it was an Italian deli when they were 16 in a random USA town.
Do you ever wonder WHY recruiters from the big names dont like them. This is why. They are (often - not always, never - the bad ones made the rumors swirl) lacking in morals, conscience and are untrustworthy. Thank those je-ks for their contributions.
@ac I know a (very few but still) who don't see their kids at all. Cheaters. Abusers. Selfishness does not stop at work.
I hate people like them. You help them, but don't get that in return. Everyone says Network, Network, but when you have people that backstab you. What are you suppose to do?
No one will save you. Remember that
When my coworkers got LR'ed, I did everything I could to help, but my boss & team ghosted them, then I got labeled difficult because I called out how cruel they were being. I can't understand it, treating someone in a difficult position like garbage. I hope they get their comeuppance, I ended up quitting. I can't be a d-mb cu-t like them.
I thought I had a strong network at Cisco until I was LRd, then I was ghosted when I tried to network w/ them. It was a real eye opener!
Lol so you reached out first but didn't feel any incentive to help who reached out after?
You are a horrible human.
- Maybe you have no skills and thats why nobody wanted to or could help you
- No way anyone asked you for a referral. You sound like a junior who's referral won't help a bug
And yes, nobody cares about anyone but them. Just like corporate America. You have no friends
This. Don't ever think the people you work with so closely now, who you strive to help with the diving catch, will even remotely be there as a reference.
Had a good dozen or two people that I seriously tried to help at Cisco cross-functionally. Sh-t like working on their slides, working on their metrics, on weekends, for their off-site the following week. Given awards from their teams for "Going above and beyond".
They moved on to other companies. I got LR'd. Stupid on my part to really stay so long. Reached out to them at new companies, asking if I could use them as reference to jobs I wanted to apply to at their new company. Crickets.
Proves what sh---y and self-centered fu--s they truly are. Hope they treat their children better, or just don't have children.
Ghosting is a standard practice in corporate America.
I 100% ignore these fair-weather "friends" when they suddenly remember who I am (aka they need something).