Lend a Hand: Simple Acts to Support Those Laid Off

Want to help someone who’s been laid off? Taking 5-10 minutes of your day to do one of these could be the breakthrough they need:

➡️ Make a connection to someone who’s hiring, or someone who can connect them with others. Only connect people with people who will follow through and help (and when someone connects to you, either help or let them know you can’t, and suggest someone who will.) You never know when you’ll make the right connection!

➡️ Write a specific and succinct LinkedIn recommendation. If you worked with someone who was just laid off, write them a recommendation (go to their profile and click recommend) and write 3-5 sentences about a specific project and/or their leadership or other strength. Heads up: If you’re writing a recommendation for a woman, pay particular attention to talking about her professional strengths as opposed to “she lit up the room.” I see these way too often.

➡️ Ask someone who’s been laid off what they’re looking for next, and share job listings that match when you see them. This can boost their morale and make them feel like someone has their back.

What are other great ways to help people who’ve been laid off? If you’ve been laid off, what was most helpful to you?

#layoffs #jobsearch #careers