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    5 non-financial ways to help a friend who's lost her job

    By Lylah M. Alphonse | Work + Money – Tue, Apr 7, 2009 8:40 PM EDT

    iStockphotoiStockphotoThe axe is falling at my company right now, as it is at many, many others across the country. Understatement: This is a stressful time.

    While I sit here with my fingers crossed and my heart in my throat, I've been thinking about other friends of mine in other industries who have lost their jobs. I'm hardly in a position to help much, given my own precarious situation. Or am I?

    Support doesn't have to involve money, and you don't have to be in a position to hire in order to help someone else get back on their feet. Here are five simple things you can do to help a friend who has been laid off:

    1.) Ask them to network with you.     I've seen a huge uptick in the number of LinkedIn invitations and recommendation requests I've received lately, and it makes sense -- sometimes, the best way to land a job is to know someone in the business. An email asking them to peruse your LinkedIn contacts or be your friend on Facebook costs you nothing, and may help them meet someone who can help them get back on their feet. (Hmmm... maybe we should Facebook with our bosses after all.)

    2.) Offer up your home office. Do you have a fax machine that they can use? How about a high-speed Internet connection? A scanner or copier? These are things that you might take for granted, but to someone who has lost their day job -- and perhaps their access to all things office -- they can make a big difference.

    3.) Spread the word. An out-of-work friend may decide to take the opportunity to start her own home-based business -- in which case, let everyone know about it. If she's offering a service you can use, become a client, and give her sincere feedback so she can help make her business the best it can be. Do you have a skill that could help her new business? Maybe she'd be willing to barter, so you both get the benefit.

    4.) Offer to babysit. If your friend has kids, offer to take them for an evening -- chances are, date night was one of the first things she cut from her budget. (Need cheap date ideas? We've got you covered.) Or, she may have had to cut back on childcare, in which case offering to take them for a few hours during the day will be even more helpful. It's hard to revamp your resume under pressure; it's even harder to do so with a toddler underfoot.

    5.) Really listen.     Don't assume that your friend is devastated about the job loss -- for some people, getting downsized may be what helps them decide to find a better career. If she is upset, however, be supportive without resorting to those horrible cliches no one wants to hear. "It's for the best" isn't helpful. "You've got amazing XYZ skills, I'll be sure to keep an eye out for leads" is better.

    Do you know someone who has lost his or her job? What do you think you could do to help?

    Lylah M. Alphonse is a full-time editor, a freelance writer, and mom and step mom to five kids. She writes about juggling career and parenthood at The 36-Hour Day and Work It, Mom!, and blogs at Write. Edit. Repeat.

     

    10 comments

    • TranQuil Karma
      TranQuil Karma  •  3 years 2 months ago
      Invite her out for coffee! Brainstorm new ideas! Don't just forget her!
    • opiniononly
      opiniononly  •  3 years 2 months ago
      Good article with solid pro-active suggestions.
    • "D"Glendale,ca
      "D"Glendale,ca  •  3 years 2 months ago
      Hey us guys need help to.. I became unemployed nov 2007 right after my late wife bacame ill-she passed Dec 2008, I tried to return to my last job BUT with no luck, I have two kids to support- unemployment ran out long ago. I want to work I need to or we'll lose everytime....
    • Rebekah
      Rebekah  •  3 years 2 months ago
      I'm SO sick of hearing "It's for the best." Thank you for mentioning that!
    • MissPinkSlip
      MissPinkSlip  •  3 years 2 months ago
      I've been trying to connect unemployed friends with other unemployed friends they may not know. Increases networking points of contact and, if lucky, the contact may evolve into an unemployed partner-in-crime.
    • ramon
      ramon  •  3 years 2 months ago
      the article has good ideas. I have actually helped a friend and co worker by using some of the ideas. It was last year. My friend had to cut out internet service,cable tv and long distance calling on her phone. I had her over whenever she needed to use the internet,fax, copy. I have a good long distance calling plan so i told her she can make her long distance calls. we also set up times for her to come over and watch some of her faverite shows now and then. I didnt ask for anything in return but she has done stuff got me. She has detailed my car, pulled weeds, helped me organize drawers and my closets(that needed it and im just not good at this) so feel like we really helped each other out.
    • tina
      tina  •  3 years 2 months ago
      Luckily if my friends lose them jobs I am in a position to tell them about a potential job. Most girls quickly shy it away, but in today's economy all job offers should be carefully thought through. I am in the Navy, but I also became and Independent Distributor of Premier Designs jewelry. I hosted a couple jewelry shows and I really believe in the company and they are ALWAYS hiring. Premier Designs is 100% debt free and has never been in debt. They are based out of TX and all the jewelry is made in America. The company has been going strong since the 80s and actually GREW their sales last year, despite what was happening though the rest of the U.S. as a jeweler you make 50% of what you sell, and you get paid immediatly. Premier does not take any of your money. You don't have to keep any stock and you don't have to meet any sales quotas. The company puts God first, family second, and job third. The company originally started for women to be able to quit their jobs to stay at home with their children. You only work when you want to. My Jewelry Grandma (sponser of my sponser) made over 60K last year, even though she had a baby and moved houses. This is a truely remarkable company, so if you know someone that really needs something in their life: www.premierdesigns.com you can request to be contacted by a jeweler in your local area who would love to tell you more about the business. If you'd like you can also email me: christinav87@gmail.com

      This isn't spam, so just check it out.

      Could you use an extra $1000 a month?
    • Xinde
      Xinde  •  3 years 2 months ago
      good
    • WishingWaiting
      WishingWaiting  •  3 years 2 months ago
      I lost my job and I loved that friends and old coworkers wanted to get together, but it drove me nuts that they would ask me to lunch and want to go places that were pricey. Just remember that we love the support, but are extra attentive to our budgets in times like these!
    • A Yahoo! User  •  3 years 2 months ago
      help me at sex.
     Post a comment

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