7 Tips for Helping a Freshly Laid Off Friend

What’s the first thing you do when a friend gets laid off?

Send them a card, according to Hallmark. In fact, it was recently in the news that Hallmark has unveiled a new line of cards designed especially for those who have been laid off.

While a card is certainly nice, because it lets your friend know you’re thinking about him or her, there’s also a lot more you can do to help an unemployed friend. So go ahead and send them a card if you want – but also consider the following 7 tips, which could prove more effective:

1. Introduce your friend to a useful contact.

If you know someone who is looking to hire, then be sure to make an introduction. Or if you’ve heard of a company that has a job opening, forward the contact information to your friend.

2. Offer to proofread their resume.

Even the smallest typo can make a resume stand out – and not in a good way. But after spending hours crafting the perfect resume, it can be hard to spot every single mistake. So offering to proofread your friend’s resume can be a big help.

3. Send useful information to them, such as about upcoming job fairs and industry events.

Even better, invite them to attend any networking events with you. After all, it’s more fun to go with a friend, then to go it alone.

4. Write a recommendation letter.

If your friend is someone you’ve worked with in the past, whether in your career or in a volunteer capacity, offer to write a letter of recommendation. That way, your friend will have it on file, ready to send off when a potential employer requests one.

5. Take your friend to lunch.

Just spending time with your friend and letting them bounce ideas off you can be valuable. You might also be able to better help your friend if you know what they’re looking for in their next job.

6. Don’t throw a pity party.

Go easy on the pity. No one wants to feel like a victim all the time. So when you do see your friend, don’t always bring up the job search. Ask about other things.

7. Refer your friend to a Miami employment agency.

A reputable employment agency in Miami will have a client list that includes top employers in the city and beyond. They will know where the best opportunities are and can also work with your friend to help them craft an effective resume and prepare for job interviews.

If you’d like to refer your friend to Future Force Personnel, we’d welcome the opportunity to help them. In fact, as one of Miami’s top employment agencies, we’ve helped thousands of job seekers find rewarding career opportunities with great companies throughout the area.

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