Article: Many people will feel the urge to ignore the situation or offer platitudes. Resist this. The last thing your colleague wants to hear is that their firing must have a silver lining or is somehow "for the best." At the same time, though, don't ignore the situation. They will appreciate positive words of sympathy or, even better, offers of concrete assistance. Rather than telling your co-worker, "Don't worry, you'll get a great job soon," try a something simple and empathetic. "I'm sorry" or "Let me know how I can help" is much better. Make a real offer to help. Can you help their revamp their resume? Maybe he'd/she'd like you to give him/her a mock interview? Or would they just like to get together for coffee? This can make more of a difference than words. While offering affirming words, avoid at all cost jokes, dark humor, or a response that minimizes the situation. Your co-worker has just been fired. They are probably distraught and possibly angry or in shock. One of the most unfeeling things you can do in this situation is to make light of it, because this could make it seem like their emotions don't matter. Saying, "You're lucky to get out of this dump," for example, or joking about how much free time he'll/she'll have is tactless. Respect the space, as well. Try to read the body language from them you may see that they are having a hard emotional time. In that case, don't pain him/her with a long conversation or press him/her to go out to lunch or other things. Another natural response to seeing a colleague fired is to want to "fix things." Resist this urge, too. In a way, getting fired is like experiencing a death in the family. Your co-worker will too busy coming to terms with the loss to appreciate your opinion about how she/he should start up her/his own business or change fields. They will also not want your would-be advice about getting a better job. Rather than saying, "You know, there's lots of jobs in health care maybe you can get one there," keep it concrete and helpful. Try something like, "Let me know if I can do anything. I'd be happy to look over your resume or read your cover letters." Being empathetic requires you to give priority to another person's feelings, and to listen to them. You are trying to offer emotional support to a co-worker and perhaps friend. Don't make the conversation about you. Don't recount a story about a time when you were fired and how you managed. Remain focused on her. Ask your co-worker about her "How are you doing? Are you alright?" Avoid sentences that start with I or my. For example, "Once when I got fired" or "Once I used to work at Company Y" Give your co-worker some time and space to come to terms with her firing before contacting her again. Try sending a short email "Hi Jane. I'm really sorry that you left XYZ, Ltd. How are you doing? Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help you." Make sure to be understanding and not prying. Don't go into the reasons for their firing unless they bring it up. Unless she/he specifically brings it up, do not discuss your co-worker's firing with your boss until the dust has settled. This is probably a stressful time for him/her as well, and he/she will likely be busy planning the transition period before someone else is hired to take over the position. It may be hard, but hold your tongue.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Offer real support. Don't make light of the situation. Don't offer advice. Keep the conversation focused on her. Follow up when the time is right. Avoid discussing the situation with your boss.
Article: Most chain thrift outlets like Goodwill and the Salvation Army will put you on a mailing list for coupon and sale opportunities. These same stores often take pictures of furniture and other "in demand" items and post them online. Reviewing online offerings before shopping can save you trips around town. Anticipate what people will be turning out of their closets at certain times during the year. When planning your thrifting trips, for certain items, consider the following: Shop for summer clothes in the fall when people are thinning out their warm weather clothes in favor of sweaters and coats. The same goes for getting winter clothes in the spring. Look for kitchen items and accessories after college graduations. When students are done with school, they often move back home or to a new city for employment, leaving behind many gently-used kitchen items, lamps, bedding items, etc. Look for furniture during the summer and early fall. More people get married during the summer than any other time of year and often have duplicate furniture items that wind up at thrift stores. Looking to get the best deals that thrifting has to offer? Create a weekly rotation for thrifting, centered around when new shipments arrive at each store. Other things to consider are: Shop early. If you want to get first pick, arrive as the store opens. Shop late. On sale days, some stores are looking to clear out all items on sale, and will offer deeper discounts just before closing.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Get on email lists and shop online when possible. Shop seasonally. Have a weekly rotation.