As we all know the most integrators, manufactures, and rep firms have been forced to reduce operations, and make budget cuts or even close their doors. If you have been laid off by your previous employer I was wondering if everyone would mind sharing their experience in trying to find a new job. I know several people who have lost there jobs or had to take pay cuts and reduced hours. Some of the things I am wondering are the following.

Where are you located?

How long you have been unemployed?

Have you been able to find a new job? If so is it still in the industry? If not what have you industry are you know working in.

For me I was laid off 2 months ago and recently received a job offer. This was the 4th company I interviewed with in person. The last 5 years I have been working in the residential A/V, automation and lighting control industry as a technician and with one company I helped start as the General Manger.

In live at the Jersey Shore and most of the work in our business is North Jersey and NYC or the Philadelphia area. The first 3 interviews I had everyone’s big concern was where I live since the typical commute would 1.5 to 2 hours each way.

I will be starting my new position as installation/service technician with an Access Control and CCTV company located in NJ. I am not completely new to this field since I have worked in a short period of time prior in my career.

I was laid off from VUDU last August but since December I’ve been working with BitWise Controls on a consulting basis. Being based in the SF bay area there doesn’t seem to be that many CI manufacturers centered in this area in the same way as other technologies seem to have focused here. I’ve also recently been doing some consultancy for my old UK-based distribution company who want to expand their range beyond Sonos.

It’s obviously far from an ideal situation as my wife was also laid off around Christmas, so we are ‘enjoying’ the wonders of COBRA payments and the like but I’m feeling a few ‘green shoots’ in the last few weeks. To be honest I think that the downturn will eventually viewed as a bit of a ‘wake up call’ for the industry and therefore ultimately a positive thing. The companies and products that survive and flourish will be those that remember to address customer needs and offer real value.