What do you do when your neighbor or friend is out of work? It can be difficult to bring up the subject because there’s often a great deal of stress and emotion attached to the issue.
But with the U.S. unemployment rate above 10 percent, odds are there are people in your circle of friends who could use your help.
It’s unlikely you’ll have a spare job available for them, but there are other significant ways to help. Here are a few suggestions.
Talk about It
Don’t ignore the problem. Reach out to your friends and offer aid. Expressing your confidence in them and your willingness to assist makes it much easier for them to ask for the help they need.
Lift Their Spirits
It’s easy for those out of work to get down, and they’ll need you to help them stay positive. In a study on the effects of unemployment on mental and physical health, the unemployed reported spending almost five times the number of days in bed, visiting the doctor five times more often, and taking twice as many medications as those who were employed. One of the most interesting findings was how positive support by family and friends correlated with the subject’s self-esteem. Those who received more social support had higher self-esteem and made fewer doctor visits. (“Effects of Unemployment on Mental and Physical Health,” American Journal of Public Health, May 1985.)
If your friends are keeping themselves physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy, they will be far more impressive to potential employers when interviewing.
Find Opportunities
The ultimate goal is to see those friends and neighbors find meaningful employment. To be most effective in helping them land new jobs, you first need to understand their skills and work interests. Find out what their professional goals are, and ask for a résumé to review and share with others.
Once you have a sense of what they’re looking for and their skills, reach out to your network. Ask about job openings, for leads, for job shadowing opportunities, and if you can pass a résumé along. The more places you help your friends look, the more likely they are to find that elusive job.
Give a Leg Up
When your unemployed friends secure interviews with firms, consider whom you might know inside those organizations. Connecting them before the application and interview can give them an edge during the process.
Do unto Others . . .
Be creative and consider their personal situation when helping them stay “up.” If they need to keep busy, find a place for them to volunteer to keep their skills sharp. If they need a break, offer to babysit and give them a gift certificate for dinner out. Apply the golden rule as you reach out to your friends and help them stay on their feet during their uncertain circumstances.
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Article written by Robert Gardner
