...consider taking the first package you are offered.


The first offer is always the best. They never get richer. I was at an ad agency in the 80s and hung around for more than 6 months waiting to get laid off. It worked and I got a terrific package (and had a wonderful time being unemployed for a while). The very next layoff 3 months later was puny by comparison. Further, in the first cut you can often negotiate some little things.

My current company has never, ever had a lay-off. Even when they fire someone for incompetence they offer another job. So this year when they put out a severence policy for the first time ever, I started to wonder. And I'm ready to jump into retirement the minute someone waives an offer under my nose.