by Jim Sutton

Created on: April 13, 2009   Last Updated: April 15, 2009

Laid off. Now what? First, gather phone and email lists into a folder. Connections fade, people move, extensions and emails change depreciating the list's value quickly. A more lasting solution is to network with these people outside work (connecting before layoff is better). How do you make the connections? An excellent solution is social networking using the power of the Internet. Linkedin.com, Facebook.com and Twitter.com are three popular social networking sites and their level of formality is best described by my friend Rod Jurado who told me once "I see the more formal LinkedIn as my on-line office, Facebook as my on-line living room and Twitter as my front porch." Many start on one and branch out as they get more comfortable.

Why is staying connected to former co-workers, clients and associates who amount to casual acquaintances after being laid off important? Malcolm Gladwell in his book "The Tipping Point" points out that many jobs are found through casual friends because they have different circles of experiences and will hear of opportunities you and your close friends don't. These casual connections expose you to a vast amount of information on opportunity, jobs, potential clients, trends, ideas and new friends worth a lot to you. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that over 60 percent of all workers use informal job finding methods. Recruiters account for only about 30% of the jobs found in management positions, so don't underestimate the value of your network connections. Take them with you using social networking. Two other advantages of social networks are that your networking connections keep their own contact information updated and sharing information is as easy as a few clicks.

"Opportunities multiply as they are seized" (Sun Tzu, The Art of War). Start "bookmarking" your acquaintances today. I suggest inviting the whole list to link to you at LinkedIn.com. You may want to follow-up with people who don't accept the invitation by phone. Explain you are "bookmarking" friends so you can stay in touch and cooperate in the future. Explain the benefits to them. Help them get an account set up. Pass on something during this follow-up they may be able to use like a business referral, website, article or maybe a person who should be in their network.

Be a valuable source of information and connections. Find articles, websites, people that your connections should meet and pass all this information on to them using email or picking up the phone and telling them. Keith Ferrazzi the author of "Never Eat Alone" says "The currency of real networking is not greed but generosity." Your network will help you much more if you reach out and share first. Here's to your pleasurable and profitable networking today!

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