Has  unemployment changed your life?

Laughing less? Complaining more?

Withdrawing from events with friends?

Do your friends know your situation?

Are friends and family tired of hearing your situation?

Are friends helping, calling, and reaching out?

Do they know what to do?

This is the time when  true friends show up, and others remain incognito on  purpose. Some will bring the party, understanding  your diminishing budget in mind. Others will not bring the party, not wanting to be bothered.

There are friends who become lost when a friend is in need. Like funerals, they do not know what to say to make others feel better, they are just there to sit and console.

Am I saying that losing a job is like a death a friend? MMMMmmmm…yes.

So  the jobless,  will have to reach out to others who have jobs, money, and motivation. Call them. Stroke egos. Inquire of his or her well-being, and ask if friends can help with information for your job search. It is humbling but  necessary.

Do they want to be bothered?

There is a fundamental issue with this whole networking-thingy: the inability to communicate with friends and family may mirror the inability to partner and engage co-workers other than a project.

If one cannot offer money, self, time, or space as payment, then job hunting traction could be lost. Successful networking will motivate you to bring something to the table.