Caring Beyond Layoffs: Supporting Your Network
I know it's a tough time for many people, and you might be wondering how you can help your friends, colleagues, or former coworkers who have lost their jobs. Here are some things you can do to show them much needed support and that they are not alone.
1. Reach out to them.
No matter how much someone might have been prepared, the news of a layoff was probably stressful and the experience feels isolating. Even though many amazing people are also affected, it doesn't make it any easier to cope. So don't hesitate to send them a message, call them, or video chat with them. Just say 'hi' and 'how are you doing?' and that you are thinking of them. You don't have to be best friends with someone before this in order to show you care and make them feel more supported right now. I am certain those people will remember you reaching out down the line.
2. Write a recommendation for them on LinkedIn.
If you are considering to write a thoughtful post highlighting how awesome this person is, why not take a few more seconds and help add that to their recommendation section on LinkedIn? This way, they can use that resource for their future opportunities and showcase their skills and achievements to potential employers. You can also endorse them for the skills they have or add new ones that you think they excel at.
3. Share your network and resources with them.
If you have relevant networking resources for a certain role or just connections in your company, ask if you could help use those to support the affected person. You can introduce them to people who might be hiring or looking for talent, or share job postings or events that might interest them. You can also make it easier to use your skills and resources to help others right now by offering trainings or workshops on how to use social media, write resumes, prepare for interviews, or anything else that might be useful for their job search.
4. Be compassionate and understanding.
If you are in the position of hiring others, please show compassion for those affected by these life changes instead of seeing a gap on a resume as some red flag. Remember that layoffs are not a reflection of someone's performance or value, but rather a result of external factors beyond their control. Give them a chance to explain their situation and highlight their strengths and potential.
I hope these tips will help you support others around you who are going through a layoff. It's not easy, but we can all make a difference by being kind, helpful, and supportive.
If you found this post helpful, please share it with anyone you think might want tips on helping others right now.
And don't forget to check out more resources on RightOffTrack.com, where you can find more advice on how to navigate layoffs and also overcome challenges on each person's unique growth journey.
Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more!
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