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The economic news of late has been depressing - deepest recession since the great depression, skyrocketing unemployment rates, and so on. And now the dire economic straits are beginning to hit closer and closer to home. More and more of our friends and community members are being laid off - the largest number of which have been at IBM itself. According to eWeek:

IBM has laid off some 2,800 employees, with more to come, according to the Alliance@IBM organization. Big Blue has had job cuts in both its Software and its Sales and Distribution groups, with more to come in the company’s Systems and Technology Group, sources said.

Many of these layoffs have hit close to home, occurring in Lotus' Product Development and Sales organizations. Friends of mine that were considered leaders in their respective groups within Product Dev, some with unique jobs and tenure of over 10 years, have been unceremoniously shown the door. And the layoffs are not just at IBM/Lotus - many of our friends and colleagues in the community are finding themselves unemployed as well.

This is the time where we need to help one another and, whenever possible, reach out to help our friends and colleagues in need. Offer to provide letters or recommendation and/or be a reference where possible (and where you feel comfortable doing so). Keep a lookout for opportunities - both permanent and contract employment opportunities. If you hear of something, pass it along.

If you're finding yourself unemployed, then take proactive steps to put yourself in the best situation possible. Some ideas include:

• Broaden your horizons - be willing to take work as a contractor, even at a less-than-desired rate. As the old saying goes, it is easier to find employment when you have employment.
• Join various social networking sites, such as LinkedIn - and then "work the system" to broaden and deepen your profile.
• Most importantly, work your network. Most jobs are obtained through friends and professional colleagues, not "cold" from employment sites. Reach out to your friends and associates and let them know you're looking. Provide as much information as possible - what you're good at, what skills you have of which they may not be aware, if you're willing to take contract work, and so on. Ask good friends and/or colleagues for referenences and/or letters of recommendation.
• And even though it isn't as successful, go ahead and put a profile/resume' on the various employment sites. It can't hurt, and you never know - you may get some work.
• If you haven't already, start a blog. Begin posting topics that help demonstrate your skills - but don't make it look like a "resume' site". Give helpful tips, tricks, etc. that show off your depth and breadth of expertise in a variety of areas. Most potential employers will look for your blog, so make sure they find something worthwhile.
• Volunteer. One way of expanding your network that is overlooked quite often is volunteering. Volunteering serves many purposes - it helps expand your network, it helps you stay active, it keeps your skills sharp, and it looks good as a part of your resume'. Plus, it is better to be out volunteering instead of sitting home on your couch, in your underwear, watching the soaps and eating Cheetos.

I'm sure my readers have other suggestions that I have forgotten, so please feel free to add to my list.

Times are tough - and in tough times we need to lean on each other to survive. Just keep in mind that "this too shall pass", and you'll be back on your feet in no time flat. And if you're still a member of the gainfully employed, make sure you help when and where you can. We've all made it this far, and through other tough times.

Hang in there, folks. Hang in there. And remember, you have friends and colleagues who care.

Rock