ENCOURAGING THOSE IN THE LOSS OF A JOB

• Acknowledge their Loss – Don’t Ignore It
• Say something - The perfect word or phrase rarely exists
• Listen – Listen – Listen -  Be an active listener
• Cultivate a calm, non-anxious relaxed presence
• Give your full attention – Your presence is a gift
• Let them know they are not alone
• Say “I’m Sorry” and mean it
• Show them you care – You may not understand but you care
• Create space for them that will enable them to express their emotions (anger, frustration, embarrassment, etc.)
• Give them permission and safety to grieve (Safe People book)
• Pray with them & for them
• Limit your advice, for a few days, about a new resume, online job postings, the 10 best ways to find a job, etc. They don’t want to know how much you know; they want to know how much you care.
• Don’t hasten them into a new job search – Give them time
• Ask them what you might do to help them find a new job
• When they are ready - Offer to help them rewrite their resume
• Be one of their balcony people (Balcony People by Joyce Landorf Heatherly)
• Refer them to whatsyourgrief.com