Helping the Unemployed—One Person at a Time

As the Labor Day holiday approaches this coming Monday, American workers continue to experience the ramifications of the recession. A national holiday since 1894 initiated to celebrate the American worker, what better time to reach out to those we know who are finding it difficult to get back into the workplace; some are experiencing extreme lows–even depression.

I have heard repeated refrains of “What can I really do? I’m just one person.” Of course, most of us are not equipped to counsel others through depression, or to hand them a job, or to fix their finances. But I wanted to know what can be done; not what can’t be done. So, I reached out to my own clients and network  to find out how they have either helped someone, or been helped by others in a job search. The following suggestions are based on their responses, each true and occurring within the past year.

1. Listen. Don’t preach tired solutions. The truth is, there are those who have done the right things (great resume, networking, etc.) and still aren’t employed. Let your friend or loved one know you’re available to talk about anything he/she needs to share. Follow his/her lead. Just be there—no magic bullets and no judgments. But don’t fade into the woodwork. Keep on being there.
2. Donate. One job seeker benefitted greatly from Dress for Success,  an organization helping disadvantage women obtain the right clothes for interviewing. Ever since landing a job, she has donated both time and money to the organization. Another reached out through Men’s Wearhouse’s. Its third annual National Suit Drive, September 1-30, is donating items to more than 200 charities helping unemployed people find jobs.
3. Technology Mentor. People vary in their computer skills, crucial in today’s job search campaign. Several helped or were helped with brushing up on their technical skills. One offered to go to the library to get the ball rolling on Internet usage, with a media specialist’s assistance in taking over from there. Other help involved setting up LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook accounts with instructions on use. One client even showed a friend how to set up his own web page. People helped job seekers with the basics of setting up and managing a personal email account, working with online resumes and applying online for jobs. Teaching someone to fish rather than handing out the fish, so to speak.
4. Bring Someone to Work. While it may seem strange and even a rub in the wound, one unemployed client was grateful  for being asked to accompany her friend to work. It was not a related industry or environment. What it did, was give that job seeker the sense of being back into the work world. She wasn’t as isolated. She was introduced to co-workers (along with her elevator speech). One of these contacts led her to an interview. Another client got permission to invite her unemployed friend to the office to run off resumes, use the computer for research, and have desk space away from home, where five children were a distraction. It was a very kind, welcoming and helpful gesture that was much appreciated.
5. Reach Out to Your Network. One client’s ex college roommate was out of work. The job seeker had not stayed in touch. My client reached out through LinkedIn, their college’s career services and phone/email to other alums. All of a sudden, there was a network of people keeping their eyes and ears open for opportunities for this job seeker.
6. Become a Customer. For some facing the loss of full-time employment, they choose to become consultants while looking, to keep up skills, cover resume gaps and bring in income. One client’s unemployed friend had started a Web business on the side. My client advertised with the Web business and introduced the consultant to a networking group focused on advertising and technology. That network directly impacted the consultant’s ability to grow his business to the point where he no longer needed to look for additional work.
7. Other Ways to Help. Other feedback covered the gamut of help and support—ranging from the “thought that counts” premise to longer-lasting impacts. It all mattered. It all helped. More examples of people helping people:

• Babysitting the job seeker’s children or hosting play dates to free up time.
• Taking the job seeker to lunch to get him/her out of the house, comfortable and talking.
• Cooking a meal for a job seeker to celebrate a birthday, other event, or small victory in the search.
• Offering expertise to do home projects, sewing, gardening, etc. for a job seeker feeling financially strapped.
• Proofreading resumes and cover letters; providing input on that job seeker’s talents and value for marketing documents and elevator pitches.
• Inviting the job seeker over to play cards, watch a movie or celebrate “just because”.
• Instigating a time for walks or other exercise routine on a buddy system.
• Letting them help you. What’s their expertise? One job seeker, who was good at design, was asked by a friend to decorate a living room (for pay).

The economy has left many feeling vulnerable, not needed and wounded. Knowing how to reach out and support others through job loss and search can make more of a difference in helping them keep their self-esteem and momentum than we might realize. It can start with you. It can start with me.