Having a Job These Days

So you see a good friend lose her job and you want to help. You take her out to lunch and keep the conversation light and peppy. Then at the end of the meal you pass her the names and numbers of some contacts who might be able to help her. You say, “I’ve emailed your name to them and they’re anxious to hear from you.” And you both leave happy, right?

Well, maybe not.

You've done something for her that probably won’t really help out that much, because most of the people you know are in middle management and below. And there are hiring freezes on right now.

Have no fear. You can do so much more that you don’t even realize. Ron Lieber of The New York Times suggests seven categories of ideas for helping friends caught in the economic downturn. We guarantee you will enjoy doing this so much more than compiling a list of “contacts.”