Friend got laid off. How to help? (employment, collect, payments)

[vemureaux]

My close friend just recently got laid off and it's been quite a shock to her. She knew her work was going through this process, but apparently she didn't see it coming to her. She arrived at her job for a normal day of work, was called to speak with a manager, was told she was being laid off, and had an hour to say goodbye, collect her belongings and vacate the premises.

She's only 26, young and bright, so I know she'll be okay in the future, but is there anything I can do as a friend to make this easier for her? I live in a different state and I'm in a completely different field, so aside from offering my sympathies and encouragement, I don't know how to help her get over this. She's started looking for other opportunities and getting her resume/CV out, but apparently the market is bad and I can hear it in her voice that she's taking it really hard and it's affecting her confidence, self-esteem, and trust/faith in others.

Anyone with experience, I'd really appreciate advice on what helped you get over this or what you did to help another overcome this hurdle. Thanks.

[Threestep]

Her reaction is normal. Check your PM please.

[vemureaux]

Originally Posted by Threestep

Her reaction is normal. Check your PM please.

Thanks Threestep, I will definitely inform her of your generous offer.

I know her reaction is normal, but I guess I was wondering if there was some way to make it easier for her or help her cope. I'm going through a little bit of a personal crisis myself and I was feeling empathetic yet helpless. Couldn't give her any advice, just sympathized and listened. Maybe that's all anyone can do in this situation.

[brussel sprout]

Originally Posted by vemureaux

She's started looking for other opportunities and getting her resume/CV out, but apparently the market is bad and I can hear it in her voice that she's taking it really hard and it's affecting her confidence, self-esteem, and trust/faith in others.

It is easy to discourages when you are unemployed and looking for a job. However, one must march on, and this is the best advice, you can give your friend. You wake up in the morning, toss cold water on your puffy eyes, make yourself a cup of coffee, and get on with it.

I've been beat up, told off, dumped, lied to, fired, tossed aside, ignored and treated unfairly more times than I care to tell you. The people who succeed in life are the ones you just keep at it, just keep plodding along.

Your dear friend needs to start sending out resumes and making phone calls until she finds another job. She can sit around and whine and cry about how the job market stinks right now, but in the end, it won't do her any good.

Best,

brussel sprout

[surfingatwork]

Originally Posted by vemureaux

My close friend just recently got laid off and it's been quite a shock to her. She knew her work was going through this process, but apparently she didn't see it coming to her. She arrived at her job for a normal day of work, was called to speak with a manager, was told she was being laid off, and had an hour to say goodbye, collect her belongings and vacate the premises.

She's only 26, young and bright, so I know she'll be okay in the future, but is there anything I can do as a friend to make this easier for her? I live in a different state and I'm in a completely different field, so aside from offering my sympathies and encouragement, I don't know how to help her get over this. She's started looking for other opportunities and getting her resume/CV out, but apparently the market is bad and I can hear it in her voice that she's taking it really hard and it's affecting her confidence, self-esteem, and trust/faith in others.

Anyone with experience, I'd really appreciate advice on what helped you get over this or what you did to help another overcome this hurdle. Thanks.

I KNOW exactly what your friend is going through. I've been there (many times - 3 to be exact). The second time was the most difficult for me because it was right after 9/11 and it took me well over a year to find another job. To help dull the pain I found a part time job at a local furniture store (worked at the register taking payments). It turned out to be a great little job. I enjoyed it, it got me out of the house at night and I made some extra money. My suggestion would be to talk to your friend about getting a part time job (if unemployment allows it). I could only earn 1/4 of what I collected. I wasn't making a lot (obviously) but it was nice to have a "pay check". Oh for me I also took the time to get an internship at a magazine doing graphic design. I didn't get paid but it was exactly what I needed to get started in graphic design (which was always my dream). Now that's exactly what I'm doing, graphic design so looking back getting laid off that second time was a blessing in discuise.

[ComputerUser000]

Originally Posted by vemureaux

<snip>

She's only 26, young and bright, so I know she'll be okay in the future, but is there anything I can do as a friend to make this easier for her? I live in a different state and I'm in a completely different field, so aside from offering my sympathies and encouragement, I don't know how to help her get over this. She's started looking for other opportunities and getting her resume/CV out, but apparently the market is bad and I can hear it in her voice that she's taking it really hard and it's affecting her confidence, self-esteem, and trust/faith in others.
<snip>

I have to admit, Im starting to act kinda like your friend in a way.

I work in the radio broadcasting field as an on air personality. I've worked in and continue to prefer smaller markets/towns for many reasons.

Anyways, I've been looking for work lately as my current situaiton isn't working out very well, I'm not making any $$ due to the fact the station I'm at, where im the sole employee, can't seem to pull in advertising.

I've applied for jobs I thought I was very qualified for in smaller or somewhat rural towns where I didn't expect alot of applicants. Most of the time I don't even get a "Thank you we got your information' reply. Nothing.

And frnakly it's a bit..ok, it's verydepressing. I know I'm smart and fairly talented./.. but when I get ignored like this, it makes me quesiton my talentes and abilities.