So after a bit of a break, it's back to the "I have a job they don't" series, where we look at just what you, the employed, can do for those who don't have a job.
This week? I want to encourage you to involve people in a project.
Your unemployed friends are quite likely to A) need to learn more skills, B) need to network, and C) feel depressed. Involving them in a project is a way to address all of those issues at once.
Maintaining a blog? Invite them to blog for you to hone their writing, get work out there, and meet your readers.
Running a con? See if they want to help out, and give them a chance to use whatever relevant skills they have for big, public event. In some cases it might be worth listing on a resume or a LinkedIn profile.
Run a newsletter? Come on, your friend with the Tech Writing skills can help with formatting!
If you're any kind of geek, you're always juggling a few projects. Inviting your job-seeking friends aboard gives them a lot of benefits.
Best of all, it helps you stay friends – which can be tough in times of economic stress.