A career transition affects everyone — the job seeker — and those close to them, including the colleague who sat in the next cubicle.
Whether someone leaves because they choose to change jobs or is part of a workforce restructuring, the overriding element is change. When change happens unexpectedly, it takes us by surprise and can be unsettling.
With the rapid changes taking place in the workforce, chances are you know, or will soon know someone who has lost their job. Often, people want to reach out to the person who has lost a job, but they’re not sure what to say.
What if you have a job, but someone close to you has lost theirs? What can you say that would be helpful?
Here are some things to keep in mind. The person who has lost their job may be looking to you for strength. If you panic, you really are not helping the person who is about to start their job search. In fact you may be doing just the opposite and adding to their anxiety.
Showing empathy and compassion is a good idea. Being ready to listen to them can be very helpful. Grieving is part of a job-search process. It takes patience on your part and encouragement to help the job seeker move through this process.
Here are some things you can do to help someone who has experienced a job loss:
• Help them keep the job loss in perspective. This is a transition and recovery will take place.
• Avoid judgment or blame when listening to their situation.
• A job change is likely to happen to everyone in the workforce. It is a part of working environment, and even highly skilled people lose their jobs.
• Offer to help in areas you can, such as inviting them to professional meetings, providing job leads and writing reference letters.
• Asking questions that start with “why” put others on the defensive.
• Remind them they are talented and have skills even without the identity and status their job provided.
• Convey a sense of caring by following through with simple acts of kindness, cards, emails or phone calls to let them know you are thinking of them.
• Invite them to join you for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
• Don’t offer advice, unless you’re asked for it.
• Celebrate their successes with them.
