Panic and Job Rumors

Today I saw a news item saying the company I work for isn't being purchased.  Management says the company isn't for sale and these are unfounded rumors.

I find this less than reassuring.  Something had to prompt the rumor.

I've worked hard on this product for the past 7 years and part of me feels that a buyer would acknowledge that expertise and keep me on. They would invest lots of money into improving the product and have super benefits. This is my Disney view of the world.

But another part of me feels that a buyer would take the product in an entirely different direction and my services would no longer be required.  They would move the production to another town and I would be stuck here with my underwater house. This is the Brothers Grimm reality.

I don't want to look for a new job.  I like the one I have.  It took me a long time to get to do the specific kind of programming I like.   I like the people I've worked with for years.  And I like my recently hired team mate. 

Selling myself is one task at which I do not excel.  I mentioned that I thought my skills were too niche to make it easy to find another.  My team mate has worked contract jobs the past few years and assured me that I would have no difficulty.  (This is one of the reasons I like him.: )

I know it's premature to worry.  But I have been in the work force long enough to recognize the signs are there.   

When I grew up, the guys got out of high school, got jobs at the local plant, and worked there until retirement.

At the moment, that stability sounds really nice.