You’re spot on – it is more important than ever to maintain your “Rolodex”. Fortunately, it’s also easier than ever with social networking.

Thanks for a great addition to the post!

Anachronistic, I know. A Rolodex is 1980′s speak for your list of contacts.

The point, Christina, is horizontal loyalty. Make a list of all the people you worked with over the years, regardless of job title, where you liked them and they liked you. Your work friends. Go all the way back.

Where are they now? Probably at some other company at some more responsible job. As people go through their careers now, they have more continuing connection with past co-workers than with any company. The idea of loyalty to a company – vertical loyalty – is daft, IMO. There are some rare exceptions like Starbucks and Whole Foods who are pretty solid. But most savvy workers take company promises with a grain or more of salt.

Reconnect with everybody on your list, and you’ll have a job. Or, better than that, enough WORK that you won’t need a job.

What to expect when you unexpectedly lose your job….