The Best Gift Ideas for Someone Laid Off

Tis the season for layoffs and restructuring. Here is our holiday guide to giving a thoughtful gift to those impacted by a job loss.

This holiday season a number of people have been laid off. You want to give your friends and loved ones a gift, but you also want to help when they are experiencing a job loss. And, providing the right support to that person can be challenging. One way to show your support is with a thoughtful gift. Here are some of the best gifts for someone who's just been laid off:

Gift Cards

Looking your best can be expensive. But, it can make a huge difference in your confidence for the big interview. Giving the gift of a makeover or clothes to look their best for the big interview can be a thoughtful way to lift someone's spirits this holiday season. You can do this with a gift card to their favorite store or salon. Not sure what that may be? Pick something local and make an experience out of it for your loved one.

You can also check out those gift card exchange sites to score a deal to help stretch your dollar further. There are tons of these gift card exchange sites now with lots of deals on cards for big box or department stores.

Fun Night Out

Treat your friend or family member to a few nights out on the town! Going out for drinks or dinner can provide some much-needed distraction and allow your loved one to blow off some steam. Buy them a gift card to their favorite restaurant or bar. Or, if you're feeling extra generous, pay for the entire night out!

Resume Makeover

The basics can also make a huge difference in how a job search goes. A smart idea may be to give the gift of a professionally written resume. The process of working with a professional resume writer can give your friend or loved one the tools they need to present their best selves.

Resume writing services like The Contingent Plan can also apply their insights as recruiters to help your loved one identify the experiences and achievements that matter to hiring managers. Getting this information out on a resume that is optimized for the current hiring technology will help them to land more interviews.

You can work directly with the resume writing service to coordinate the service on their behalf in most cases. The Contingent Plan also offers gift cards to make this process smoother for you and the recipient.

LinkedIn Premium Membership

LinkedIn Premium can be really helpful in a job search when you have a strong LinkedIn profile. The Premium Membership provides people with access to more people, the ability to connect, and insights on how/what to apply to.

Give the gift of a LinkedIn premium membership so they can take advantage of all the bells and whistles that come with it, like InMail credits and advanced search filters. It's sure to come in handy during their job search!

Online Training Courses

Learning something new can be a great way to expand career opportunities. Consider giving the gift of an online training course. Sites like Udemy and LinkedIn Learning have courses that can help people learn new skills, from coding to interview tips and more. With a variety of topics available, you should be able to find something that your friend or family member will appreciate.

Your loved one may not know which course they want to take. In this case, you can simply give them a gift card for the online training courses so they can pick something on their own. This way, the recipient can choose something that speaks to their interests and helps them achieve their career goals.

Networking Event Ticket

Most organizations have resumed their in-person events now. These events can be a great way to learn new skills and to connect with new people in your field. Buying a ticket to one of these events or a big conference can be a huge boost for your loved one. Look around for the right event and gift that ticket to your friend or family member.

Most events do not have a "gift" option. So, you may need to be creative in how you present the gift to your friend or family member. Try contacting the organizer directly to see what they can do to reserve your gift.

Not sure which event to pick for them? Make a hand-written note or print out a picture of a "gift card" to show the person that you are giving them the gift of an experience. Then have them "present" the gift card by telling you which event or conference they want to go to.

LinkedIn Profile Update

A strong and up-to-date LinkedIn profile is essential for launching a successful job search. This will help your friend or family member to keep track of their professional connections and to confidently network in their job search.

Most people don't know where to start or even how important LinkedIn really is in their job search. Giving the gift of an updated profile built by a LinkedIn expert like those at The Contingent Plan can make a huge difference in their job search. Not only will this be helpful in their search, but it's also a great way to remind them that you are supporting them every step of the way.

Career Coaching Session

Career coaching can be incredibly helpful when you're trying to figure out your next move. If your loved one is feeling lost, consider gifting them a session or two with a professional coach who can help them get back on track or to help them prepare for job interviews.

Companies like The Contingent Plan have professional career coaches that can guide your friend or family member through the challenges of a job search. A career coach can also be a great way to give them the confidence they need to present themselves at the upcoming job interview.

No matter what you decide to give, the most important thing is to show your friend or family member that you care and that you are invested in their success. With a carefully thought-out gift, you can help them reach their career goals and start on the path to success.