Steven Rosenberg
Last job: VP, Head of Americas Business Developoment for Thomson Reuters Markets
Previous salary: $180,000
Age: Just turned 40
Location: NYC
Expertise: Strategizing and building businesses with and within Fortune 500 firms around the licensing of digital content . Senior level roles at leading Information technology and media organizations leading business development sales and strategy focused on the distribution of digital content. Responsible for new and innovative distribution partnerships between media, portal, news, financial and web 2.0 companies. Strategic leader, broad experience negotiating at the C leve
Rent/mortgage: Mortgage and rent of $3700
What's your plan for finding a new job?
Reach out to all the contacts I have made within the industry. Search some of the more prominent relevant job boards (like yours). Connect with some of the head hunters that would always call when I was employed.
Had any interviews or sent out any resumes yet?
I have a couple of meeting set up for early next week and have sent my resume out a few times.
Have you had to change your lifestyle at all? If so, any tips for other readers in your position?
It's been hard for the impact to hit yet since I have been in buying mode for the holidays. The changes have been; I am now brewing my own coffee at home instead of heading out to *Bux, Going to bed later at night and waking up later in the AM.
Did you see the layoff coming? Could you have? How would you suggest others who might get laid off prepare for it?
Throughout the past year with the merger of the two companies (Thomson & Reuters) and the global meltdown, we heard of layoffs coming but I was not affected by it. In fact, I was named to a new executive position. I did feel as the year was winding down that, they were looking to do another round and I was above average on the pay scale for my position. My gut told me to be on notice although up until I received an email the afternoon before the lay off that I need to have an 8:00AM meeting with my supervisor I wasn't suspecting.
How to prepare, well this is the most important one since no one wants to prepare for something negative and life changing. You must hold the highest integrity with your colleagues and clients or those that you service. Make them rely on you so much that when you are not there they scratch their heads trying to figure out how to get this and that done. This is essential for people reaching out to you and thinking of you for their organization. Speak with those head hunters that call you, establish a relationship and always look for that "better" job. Everyone needs options and always trust your gut.
Any other general words of wisdom for those who are in or could be in your predicament?
First thing is, don't get down. I know that's hard to say and everyone's situation is different but the quicker you pick yourself up the faster it will be to get the ball rolling on your next opportunities. Make sure too keep all your contacts, so you can alert everyone that you wish to. Get your linkedIn connections active. Besides that, take advantage of the time, I keep telling myself these things and I'm the first one looking to keep busy but I know once I get that new role I will be saying "why didn't I do this and that".
