What I have learned from my job search - Create your own job seach support group!

One really great idea that one persone in my group at my previous company had when we all got laid off was to create a little "support group" for all of us as we dealt with the impact of losing our jobs and started our searches for our next opportunity. So, since September, a group of us met every Tuesday morning, not too early, for breakfast/brunch and conversation.

It ended up being a great thing. Not only did we have folks to commiserate with on a regular basis, but also, since we were all looking for jobs at similar companies, it was a great way to share job leads, resources and contacts. We were witnesses for each others' severance papers, shared ideas for small businesses, shared interviewing and negotiating tips and celebrated successes.

Membership obviously changed over time. Folks came and left as they got new jobs. Some only came once or twice, others came for months. There was another round of lay offs so we gained a few new members in December. We also opened up the group to other friends we knew who were looking too and even some of our "still employed" former co-workers started coming (more around lunchtime) for the camaraderie, and to be proactive.

It now seems like the group will be coming to an end. February and March have been good for our group as for getting results from our search efforts. There are only a couple folks left and they are the ones who just joined in January.

So, I strongly suggest, if you find yourself in a similar situation, don't be too proud and suffer in silence. Find others in your same boat and help each other. And if you don't know enough people to start your own group, then tap into local job search groups in your area. A lot of churches seem to have regular group meetings that anyone can attend. But don't go it alone. Your search can only be helped by tapping into and expanding your network.