“We usually have our status update calls on Fridays; we discuss our progress, leads, best practices and have a bit of a team venting session” Justin tells me over lunch. He is not referring to a work meeting, however; he is talking about a new trend with those that have been recently laid off: support groups.

Until recently, Justin used to work at one of the top management consulting firms. He was part of a group of people that lost their jobs due to cost cutting across the company. After the initial shock and mourning period, many of them got together and asked themselves “now what?”

I saw how determined and excited he was about this group so I decided to dig a little deeper and find out: does misery really love company? As it turns out, it does. But it goes beyond group therapy: “we keep each other motivated and action oriented – we try not spend too much time complaining” – said Brian, another former employee.

The downturn of the economy came very suddenly for some, and being a part of a community of likeminded people helps you make sense of the events. Whether you are sharing through the phone, in person or on a blog, this exercise can also make you feel more engaged and integrated.

Once the emotional wounds have healed, groups have also found that keeping in touch with other can be useful for their career search. “By sharing job search stories, tips and market color, we keep each other focused and on track” – explained Julie. And for those who are considering a career change, they have found a supportive sounding board that encourages them to try new things and makes them more comfortable with risk. “If you’ve ever thought about leaving finance to become a chef, now might be the time to do it!” –concludes Justin, with a big smile on his face.

Written by Adriana Roche

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