The Monster Blog

4 Ways to Help the Unemployed

When times get difficult, I find the best way to cope is taking action. And times are certainly hard for many of us nowadays -- 13.2 million Americans are now unemployed as of March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. So I compiled this list of ways those of us in a position to help the unemployed can do so. Read it and get going:

 

·         Make a Donation: It doesn’t have to be money (but it never hurts). Organizations like Dress for Success help disadvantaged women get the proper clothes and skills for interviews. Got a suit you never wear or time to mentor someone? Here’s how to help.

 

·         Reach Out to Alumni: People you graduated college with are great networking contacts, whether you’re employed or not. If you know of fellow alums in your industry who are out of work, keep your eyes and ears open for them, and stay in touch. You may even want to take them to an industry networking event they may not have been aware of.

 

·         Listen: When any loss happens, from death to a layoff, platitudes don’t help -- being there does. Let your friend or relative know you’re available to talk about anything, not just their work situation. This is especially important when your partner or spouse has been laid off.

 

·         Patronize New Businesses: Some people start their own companies when their corporate jobs don’t work out. You can help by giving your business to someone you know who’s just starting out. It’s a win-win for you and for them.

 

Here are some more ways you can help the unemployed. And if you have other ways to be of assistance, let us know in the comments below.

5 Acclaimed Job-Related Movies for Dark Times

Spring is coming, but the weather hasn’t quite caught up. And you’ve probably seen all of this year’s Oscar-nominated films by now. So what are the winter-and recession-weary to do? Check out these older, acclaimed movies that will give you some much-needed hope in these dark times:

·         Rocky: You’ve probably seen it a million times, but the story of Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa, who starts out as a debt collector and works his way to contending for the heavyweight championship of the world, always gives me hope. This sleeper hit won the Oscar for best picture in 1976.

·         All the President’s Men: You know the story by now: Two journalists, the legendary Woodward and Bernstein (played by Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman) unearth info that ultimately takes down the president. Well, it makes me feel good about my profession, anyway. This movie won several Academy Awards in 1976.

 

·         The Shawshank Redemption: One of my favorite movies, and a completely hopeful experience despite being set almost completely in a prison. Tim Robbins plays a banker wrongly convicted of murdering his wife and her lover and builds a career of sorts in prison --which ultimately sets him free. Shawshank was nominated for best picture in 1994.

 

·         Driving Miss Daisy: This story of an enduring friendship is based on Morgan Freeman’s Hoke becoming the chauffer to Miss Daisy, a Southern widow played by Jessica Tandy. The film tackles racism, class distinctions and stereotypes of the South and won best picture for 1989.

 

·         Dead Poets Society: Robin Williams plays an unorthodox English teacher who helps his students at a boys’ prep school view life in a new way. This movie won the Oscar for best original screenplay in 1990.

 

Don’t see what you like here? Check out this list of seven movies to motivate you. And be sure to let us know some of your favorite work-related films in the comments.