As the season of layoff continues, many people who lost jobs have been coming out with their experiences of having to face uncertain futures. While many of those who have been laid off find it hard to accept their new realities, most of them have also said they are grateful for the experience they had with these firms. Latest to join the bandwagon is Joel Leitch, a Google employee who was with the company for more than 16 years, who said the company lost “a dedicated, long-tenured employee with this layoff.”
Taking to his LinkedIn page, Leitch wrote, “Two weeks ago, my entire team was impacted by the Google layoff. It was a complete shock to me and I am still perplexed as to why Google would let go of so many experienced, smart, talented, gritty, high-performing employees. For me, it has been a slow process to come to terms with my new reality as Google has been my one and only career, starting as an intern in January 2005 followed by 16.5 years in a full-time capacity.”
Calling the Google “an amazing company” Leitch, who joined the company as an intern, said it was absolute honour to spend so many years with Google.
“Google was (and still is) an amazing company filled with brilliant, talented people building impactful products for users worldwide. To Google: thank you so much for taking the risk and bringing me on as an (international) intern many moons ago. It was an absolute honour to have had the opportunity to work there for so many years.”
He had a word of advice for those who are still with the company. “The things that I will miss most are the people and the relationships built. Also, it was pretty awesome to work on projects used by XXXM users on a daily basis and present my team’s hard work at Google I/O. To the Googlers remaining: please remember and continue to practice the “3 R(espect)s”. Focus on what is best for the user while maintaining a healthy disregard for the impossible. Please continue to constructively collaborate and innovate with other Googlers to build new “magical moments” for both users and partners. The people and relationships formed within will be the key to Google’s continued success. The potential impact that you can have on the world is near infinite.”
Urging those who lost jobs to not lose hope, he wrote: “To the laid-off Googlers: remember that Google has equipped you with invaluable skills and knowledge that will make you a desirable candidate to the many companies out there looking for someone to make a big impact. Hold your head high, remain positive, and keep those connections alive. You’ve got this!”
Despite the job loss, Leitch is excited about his future prospects as he said, “As I enter the unfamiliar territory of finding a new career, it sparks excitement. It’s been nearly two decades since my last interview; therefore, I am looking forward to a change in scenery to explore and find my next opportunity. I am confident that I will have a soft landing at the next big thing in my life because of the many skills and experiences acquired at Google.”
“Finally, the outpouring of family, friends, and colleagues' support has been heartwarming. Thank you for the empathy you have shown me. Google has lost a dedicated, long-tenured employee with this layoff AND a long-tenured corp-issued backpack provided to me on my first day (July 10, 2006).”