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It's easy
to forget the "other guy" when we ourselves are
faced with such an uncertain economy. We need to first
think of our own livelihoods before we can worry about
someone else's problems.
Obviously this is how
it should be, but at some point we need to consider those
people who need help.
The layoffs have been
piling up. It started slowly, a few hundred here, a few
hundred there. Then companies such as Cisco Systems
(7,000) and Lucent started to weigh in with sizable
reductions. Right now, we're seeing the second round of
significant numbers. Lot's of good people are feeling the
axe.
There's a lot that you
can do as individuals, whether you're employed or between
jobs yourself, to help those who have lost theirs. First
of all, we should turn a sympathetic ear. I know that this
sounds too simple, but you would be surprised how many
people are uncomfortable (or often claim to be too busy
themselves) when they get a call from someone who has lost
their job. Be there for them because this is a very
meaningful gesture.
Once connected, you can
help them to broaden their horizons in terms of their job
hunting campaign. Left to their own devices, most job
hunters see the potential marketplace as being very small.
Your perspective can go a long way to getting them past
this mistaken assumption. When I've asked groups of job
seekers how many companies they think that there are in
Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, they
estimate it in the hundreds rather than in the thousands.
Point them in the right
direction. You may know of professional organizations or
the like that they have overlooked. ExecuNet
(headquartered in Connecticut), the senior professional
job networking group, is a good example of this. If you
can, take them to an appropriate meeting. Also, try to
introduce them to other associates of yours who might be
of assistance.
Don't be afraid to make
suggestions, even if they sound a bit harsh. If you notice
that the person has developed some bad interviewing
habits, you're doing them a disservice if you don't bring
it to their attention. Tell them to rehearse interviews
with someone. If they have a bad resume or a weak cover
letter, make constructive suggestions.
Encourage them to form
their own professional network. If eight or 10 people with
the same backgrounds, who are out of work, get together on
a regular basis they can share leads, bounce ideas and
concepts off each other and even have a shoulder to cry on
if necessary. There is power in numbers.
None of this is easy,
particularly as you struggle to keep your own head above
water. To do nothing, however, is definitely the wrong
approach to take.
bgatti@gattihr.com
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