You must ask a specific person for specific help, in as specific a manner as possible. Examples of how to be specific:

"You in the green shirt, call 911 and let them know there's a woman with an accident at 5th and Main"

"Jason, please help me by donating $15 to my marathon fundraiser: I'm supporting Alicia, who is living with HIV. Your donation is tax-deductible."

"Anyone on this alumni board, I'm looking for a connection to Jane Smith in the Human Resources department at REI's corporate offices in Kent Washington"

"I need a housesitter from January 15 - April 21 for our 3 bedroom, 2 bath in Toronto, Canada --- here is a photo album and description of the property. Security deposit of $___ and $____/utilities per month, e-mail ______ for details."

There is no stigma or shame associated with your layoff.

It happens, and now it's time to look for a new job, either as a permanent employee, a contract employee, consultant or independent contractor. Perhaps your efforts will turn into a full-fledged new business. The main thing for you now is to focus on how you add value to any organization.

Identify your unique skillset, "package it", and find people who want to buy it. Your subsequent tasks are to find partners and affiliates who can refer you and who help you sell your product/service (or, if you're job-hunting, find people who recommend you and help you get into the interview process).

Your main steps are to identify what you do best, start networking, find a mentor, find a coach, and build your portfolio.

This is one of a series of "lessons on success". This particular lesson is very important to me and ties in with the idea that we all work, live, and share in concentric circles of community. Your current circle of friends determines to a large extent:

1) your ability to find work, leads, or referrals