Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. announced plans on cutting over 11,000 employees at its Sam’s Club locations, their largest job cut ever. The move will affect mostly part-time employees who attempt to entice customers to purchase store items, such as food and electronics, by performing in-store demonstrations. The number of employee cuts represents roughly 10 percent of Sam’s Club’s workforce.

Wal-Mart Stores plans on outsourcing its in-store demonstrations to Shopper Events, an outside marketing company based in Rogers, AR in hopes of improving Sam’s Club’s sales.

Wal-Mart Stores has already closed 10 Sam’s Club locations in the last month, which has resulted in roughly 1500 losing their jobs. There are approximately 600 Sam’s Club warehouse locations across the United States.

Sam’s Club saw it’s revenue drop $11.55 billion last quarter, which is almost a 1 percent sales decrease, while Wal-mart stores saw a $61.81 billion increase, or 1.2 percent.

Eligible employees who have been cut will receive severance pay and benefits, and will also receive assistance to find employment at other Sam’s Club locations and Wal-Mart stores. Some employees who will be laid off might possibly find employment with Shopper Events.

To boost sales and productivity, Home Depot also plans on eliminating jobs. The company is ending three pilot programs, which will result in 1,000 employees being laid off. Home Depot will be closing a temporary hurricane recovery outlet in Waveland, MS; a clearance outlet in Austell, GA; and a small-format store in Wilson, NC. Cuts also include the consolidation of support staff in the human resources and finance divisions. The company said they have no plans to close any of the full-size retail stores.

Despite the cuts, the restructuring will actually create about 200 jobs in Atlanta, which is where most human resources administration will be handled.

Home Depot is the largest home-improvement retailer, and currently has 300,000 employees and 1,500 store locations. Last year, Home Depot cut 7,000 jobs and closed specialty stores across the United States, and has marked the third consecutive January in which the large chain has laid off employees.

Wal-Mart, Home Depot Cutting Jobs was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

So what do you do if you find a pink slip with your next paycheck? The first thing is to not give up. You are certainly not alone. There were a half million people let go from their jobs in November 2008. Instead of wallowing in worry, take these steps to keep your head up and your eyes open for opportunity.

Go With Your Instincts

Even if the ax has not fallen just yet, it might be a good bet your inner voice is feeling the changes that are coming. If you have a heads up on the situation at the company you are working for, start getting prepared right away but don’t burn any bridges before you get the boot. You may have to rely on the references of your current employer to find your next job. You can also step to the plate for your own company and bring new ideas to the table to help the company get back into the black. Your initiative may be just the thing to help you avoid the pink slip. If nothing can salvage your job, just remember to maintain your dignity and leave with grace.

Make Your Personal Finances Your Priority

If you have been laid off and qualify to collect unemployment, you need to get your finances in order and re-work the numbers to reflect your new income amount. Cut out what you can to make the numbers conducive to what you are getting now until you find other employment. If you have been fortunate to get an additional severance package benefits, you need to make definitive plans for that money to ensure it will last throughout your lay off period.

Make Plans for Healthcare

If you lose your healthcare benefits immediately, check with your local health department and see if there are any plans you qualify for if you are in needs of prolonged care or medications. You can never be sure when you will get benefits, even with a new job as many will have waiting or probationary periods before you can qualify to be on a benefits plan.

Keep An Open Mind

As you prepare your current resume and start looking for work, it is wise to keep an open mind. You may not find immediate work in a full-time capacity in the industry of your choice but it’s likely you can find something part time or even a full-time gig that is not your first pick of jobs. Do not be afraid to investigate new opportunities for which you are qualified but may not be in the industry you have the most experience. You might be surprised to learn you are happy with the change and fare better in a new environment.

Open Your Mouth

Being laid off is not something you should necessarily keep to yourself. Start spreading the word as soon as you know you are looking for a new job. Chances are referrals from family, friends, and colleagues may get you in the interview door faster than your resume would. Use internet resources or professional agencies that do not charge you for placement services. Take advantage of government programs that have been devised to assist people in your situation.

Laid Off? What Now? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Interview after interview, perfectly capable job candidates are being told they’ll get a phone call when business improves.  Is it possible to land a job during a tight economic period where money troubles are common?  It’s true that the job market outlook is dimming, but the lights are on somewhere – it’s not completely blacked out.  One thing is for sure, though.  If you head into each of your job interviews thinking they won’t hire you because of the economy (or any other reason), you’re not likely to get the job.  The biggest help for your job seeking is in your head – if you think you can land the job, you increase your chances. 

Henry Ford said, “whether you think you can or you think you can’t – you’re right,” and that famous quote couldn’t be more true for job seekers in an unsettled economy.

Here are the key steps to succeeding during a tough job hunting time:

• Leave no stone unturned.  Call everyone in your address book, every friend, relative and acquaintance you’ve ever had and tell them you’re looking for a job.  People may not respond to you the first time you call, so call them again in 30 days… and in 60 days… and so on. 
• Talk to people.  Sending a resume is great, but making a phone call is better.  Unless the ad specifically says “no phone calls please”; call the company and introduce yourself before sending your resume.  If there is no advertisement for a job, feel free to call a company you would like to work for and ask if they have any open positions.
• Make the job search your job.  Establish a routine and be consistent.  Look for a job every day. Treat it like you would if it was your dream job and you were getting paid big bucks to do it well.
• Stop qualifying yourself – out of a job.  When you have an interview or are talking with someone you’ve just met, be careful that you aren’t qualifying yourself out of the job.  Don’t go on about how hard it is to get a job because of the current economy, or why you may not be suited for such and such position.  Talk to everyone who listens and keep going until you have a job offer you like.

Stop looking for job openings, and start looking for opportunities:

Most of the best inventions have been created out of need, right?  Opportunities are born during times of crisis and unsolved problems.  So, as the economy dips further and we see people losing jobs left and right – think about the executives and leaders in the high rise office buildings.  They are people with unsolved money trouble, needs, and a vision for the future.  How can you help them fulfill their visions?  Offer solutions to make a business owner’s vision reality.

Job Seeking in an Unsettled Economy was created by and is property of American Consumer News.