How to Care for your Unemployed Friend

Being without a full time job with benefits can suck, especially when the whole country is facing a time of high unemployment rate. First no one is hiring, then a few people are hiring but the few positions available are being fought over with a great zeal of competitiveness. It can be frustrating and discouraging at times and even with the best of intentions, there are a few things that are probably best avoided to talking about with your unemployed friend.

1. If the friend shared with you an exciting interview coming up, that means they wanted you to know that they had some high hopes this would go well. After the interview happens, you may want to show this friend that you are thinking about them by asking about how the interview went. If the interview went well and is leading to another interview, you are probably going to be the first to hear back about it. If you hear nothing and then ask, it could be like picking a scab off an emotional wound. No word back can feel like a rejection and to stay positive, you have to focus on the next interview.

2. Don't keep asking how your unemployed friend how they are doing. Although you have the best of intentions, this makes them feel like a leper when they have to keep saying "hanging in there." and forcing a smile when they may in fact, and probably are, a bit worried and scared. Talking about it doesn't always help, in fact sometimes, it can let some of the depression of not having found that awesome job yet overwhelm them when they were doing a pretty good job before on focusing on the positive.

3. Be open to if they want to vent. Let them lead the "I need to talk" conversation, don't force it on them. Even those who are reserved in sharing their emotion sometimes take refuge in quiet self introspection.

4. Buy them a beer and/or a meal occasionally. This does wonders when you find yourself accounting for every dollar a bit more closely, a beer or a meal out becomes more of a luxury. It's nice to feel human again and get out for a bit to forget about the issues that worry you.

5. Know that your concern is appreciated, even if they seem to be a bit reserved in wanting to communicate sometimes. 


* This guide may differ from vagrant to vagrant. Please consult with a professional if these steps do not achieve the appropriate positive response.