Something that has been discussed on occasion between myself and some friends is the introduction of the unemployed. If you’re meeting someone new, do you tell them you don’t have a job? Do you lie and use your last job title? Do you quickly change the subject?
Well, I tell friggin’ everybody. Every chance I get (as long as I don’t seem desperate or weird).
I don’t make it a point, but if it comes up in conversation, I will tell the person that I am looking for work, my field of expertise, and a little about some of the other stuff I’ve done. I tell family, friends, acquaintances, and when you get right down to it, that’s part of the reason I started this blog. And even if the people you tell can’t help you find a job, sometimes you can make good connections.
I told my cousin I was looking for work. She told a friend, who passed it along to her brother, who happens to be a highly sought-after professional career adviser. As a result, I got a resume consultation and advice that a lot of people might pay for for free, thanks to my telling one person.
Discussing your job situation isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s a way to help you network and maybe gain an advantage. Or an interview.
