Dear Joyce: How about writing about potential alternative careers for the laid-off millions? Picture others like me, who were exceptional students and good workers, who suddenly get laid off. Their entire industry is downsized and there are no jobs. They have to change careers. What can they do? -- G.O.N.E.

Dear G.O.N.E.: Connecticut career consultant Nancy Collamer is first to market with an e-book exactly right for the times: "Layoff Survival Guide." I asked Collamer about your question.

Collamer Counsels: "First confirm that there really are 'no jobs' in your industry. Even among the hardest-hit sectors, sometimes there are hidden pockets of opportunity -- often with niche or smaller companies.

"Second, if indeed the odds of finding work in your field are slim to none, conduct a thorough self-assessment to identify which of your hard-earned skills and knowledge would be most attractive to other industries.

"No matter how industry-specific your experience, the reality is that you possess a wealth of transferable knowledge and skills that could be marketed to other businesses. Don't forget to include knowledge gained from volunteer activities, classes and previous employment," Collamer adds.

But suppose you don't have a clue where to start in an industry crossover?

Collamer makes these recommendations:

"Brainstorm ideas with colleagues. Ask friends and associates in other industries for advice. Consult the Occupational Outlook Handbook to learn about educational requirements, job descriptions and industry outlook projections. Join a job search support group to learn about opportunities and trends in your geographic area.

"The more you explore the options," Collamer says, "the better prepared you'll be to capitalize on promising opportunities for the future."

Collamer's high-quality 70-page e-book is a compendium of how to manage layoffs to your best advantage, whether it has already happened or you know the ax is about to fall. You can find it at her Web site, http://www.layoffsurvivalguide.com .

Nonproductive Networking
Layoffs -- and their fallout -- are everywhere today. Because it's been pounded into us that networking is one of the most successful methods of getting a job, some job hunters are working their web of contacts too aggressively, "throwing the rules of networking out the window," according to one consultant in a recent New York Times business-page article, "Hiring? You're Everyone's Best Friend" (Feb.10).

Their targets -- friends, new contacts, referrals and long-lost acquaintances -- say fat chance they'll do anything to help the desperate, obnoxious networkers who "demand" their names be sent on to a company HR director, corner executives on airplanes and send mass e-mail to their address book requesting that recipients forward all their contacts ASAP.

A banker recalls how an out-of-work business acquaintance set up a breakfast appointment with him, arrived 30 minutes late, split the check and afterward called him every morning with greetings like, "Hi, sweetie, it's me," followed by a request for job-opening news.

Courtesy Basics
As frustrating as it is, when you're in search mode, you can't make targets operate on your timetable. If your targets resent the pressure, they'll either tell you to leave the planet or show passive resistance, meaning you'll get zero cooperation.

Instead, strategize how to follow up with your contacts in ways they won't resent. Perhaps you can figure out something you can give in return for the assistance you hope to get.

Buried in a crowd of résumé spam last week I found a message with the subject: "Update from Fred Pike." I don't know Fred Pike, but the top-of-the screen graphics of a banjo and a stylized panel of people were intriguing so I kept reading.

The headline confirmed that Pike's message was workplace related: "Fred Pike's News from the Job Search Front." followed by a helpful section on "differentiation" as a marketing tool. Following that gift to the reader was

Pike's brief job pitch, which he calls "My Shameless Plug."

Pike is e-networking the right way -- giving value in exchange for the reader's attention, gently nudging and displaying charm as well as brains.

Manners and resourcefulness count in effective networking.

Send career questions for possible use in this column to Joyce Lain Kennedy at Box 368, Cardiff, CA 92007, or e-mail her at jlk@sunfeatures.com. Sorry, the volume of mail makes personal replies impossible.

©2001 Tribune Media Services, Inc.