Comments on: What to do when your friends are laid off.

By: Job hunting with social media | Janet Fouts

Job hunting with social media | Janet Fouts — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:12:41 +0000

[...] you’ve been laid off, fired or you’re looking to upgrade your current job, social media networks and tools make it [...]

By: Dear Job Seeker « Social Media Building Blocks

Dear Job Seeker « Social Media Building Blocks — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:37:44 +0000

[...] Walker has some great posts on being laid off. Start with What to do when your friends are laid off. I realize it’s from a different perspective but it’s still good information. Then read his [...]

By: Tim Walker

Tim Walker — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:33:48 +0000

Wow, Patricia — thanks for that comment.

I’m glad you’re keeping your spirits up. Too many people make themselves suffer two ways, first from whatever problem is at hand, but then second from the worry they subject themselves to while they’re having the problem. Better to deal with the actual problem methodically and forthrightly, and skip as much of the anxiety part as you can.

Good luck!

By: Patricia

Patricia — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:36:23 +0000

Just wanted to let you know you are speaking to my soul, so much that I submitted an article to several magazines this week on this particular topic. When I was younger I would have been beating myself up about the job market, what will I do next, etc. I am not stupid; of course I am concerned. But it makes absolutely no sense for me to be miserable, deprived and all around unwell at this time. It’s only been a few weeks for me, but at 41 years old, I know that while I’m waiting for the phone to ring after sending out resume after resume, it’s perfectly sane to enjoy the simple, inexpensive pleasure I could not only a month or so ago. A bubblebath in the daytime; going to the grocery store during the day when it’s practically empty instead of packing myself into crowded aisles on a Saturday; getting a full eight hours of sleep every single night just because I can. I download audio books for free from the public library so I can keep the tv off and enjoy something new, fresh and engaging.

While friends of mine (I’m sure) are certain I’ve lost my mind, I just can’t imagine how running around like a chicken with my head cut off would do me any good. I might be unemployed another month or another six, but is it any better to feel and look depleted, anxious and stressed when going to interviews? I think not, so I’ve got to run now. Time for my steam facial. NO matter what I do, the phone isn’t going to ring any faster, so why not be gorgeous, healthy and content while waiting? I start every morning with a delicious breakfast, a good workout, time for prayer and then I’m off and running to the sites. This economy might break my bank, but I’ll be damned if it’ll break my spirits. As Ali would say, I’m just too pretty!

By: Stop! -- Hoover’s Business Insight Zone

Stop! -- Hoover’s Business Insight Zone — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:19:45 +0000

[...] No doubt I focus on this idea because it’s a struggle for me personally: besides writing this blog, I represent Hoover’s across other social-media outlets, fulfill other Hoover’s duties, try to work ahead toward my Ph.D., field outside projects, spend time with my family, and be a resource for my friends (especially those who are looking for work). [...]

By: The CragBaby » Blog Archive » Link Love

The CragBaby » Blog Archive » Link Love — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 19:41:24 +0000

[...] put, an upbeat, great guy who I consider a good friend. Some of his recent posts that I enjoyed: What To Do When Your Friends Are Laid Off, The Basic Basics: Thank Someone and Committ to Having Better Problems in 2009. You can also [...]

By: Gary

Gary — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:26:25 +0000

This is a great post– thanks for writing it and for all the comments. I was hitting a “low point” today in my job search after being laid off and this helped lift me up. Cheers

By: New here? Try these! -- Hoover’s Business Insight Zone

New here? Try these! -- Hoover’s Business Insight Zone — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:08:17 +0000

[...] January 6: What to do when your friends are laid off. [...]

By: dblwyo

dblwyo — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:37:13 +0000

Tim good stuff. My opinion about the economic outlook has been/is clear to you (I tink ?) So to geld the lily more understand that we’re just headed into the downturn and employment is a lagging variable. Geld is not a typo either. With all that in mind I’d suggest step 1 (thru…..N) is help them get their feet back on the ground. Most of us derive a large measure of our self from work. An unexpected layoff is confidence destroying – it makes the Universe groundless as the Buddhists say. A corollary – being po’d and thinking negative thoughts is o.k. You should be. Denial doesn’t do any good. THEN you have to let it go….sigh.

On that note may I recommend “Winning Smart After Loosing Big” and my perennial suckitup favorite “Reflections of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot” to your readers ?

By: Stephen Thomas

Stephen Thomas — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:05:53 +0000

Tim,
This is good stuff at a challenging time for those looking for their next opportunity. I have been a recruiter for 20+ years and get this request from friends to “help” often… not just in a down economy. I always encourage them to identify as specifically as possible the position within the company that would excite them. If this is realistic given their skillset, then to make a list of actionsteps (names to call and/or write/email) to get an interview with this and similar companies. Then they must make a committment to complete one or more of these actionsteps each day. Securing the next position is a full time job and must be approached as such.