If you are one of the hundreds of West Michigan salaried professionals that has been handed the dreaded pink slip, join the party. Literally.
A group of staffing and human resources managers is organizing Pink Slip Party West Michigan to help job seekers network with potential employers and recruiters. The free event will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, January 18 at the Grand Rapids Crown Plaza Hotel, 5700 28th St. SE.
Ray Saxe, one of the organizers who is himself a displaced human resources manager, says the party is similar to a job fair, but there are no employer booths. Employers and recruiters have a chance to mingle with job seekers in a relaxed social environment that includes casual clothes and a cash bar.
"I'm a fairly good networker, but I've observed some of my friends that weren't so good at it," Saxe says. "And more than 75 percent of all jobs are found through networking. If the response is as positive as we hope, we'd like to do another one. A lot of people are glad we're doing this."
A few months ago, Saxe and a few other colleagues came across the Pink Slip party concept, a networking effort that started decades ago when laid-off workers gathered to commiserate their struggles. The name "pink slip" emerged because it was once standard practice for companies to issue "separation notices" that were printed on pink slips of paper. The phrase "getting a pink slip" stuck. Saxe says they are patterning the party after other Pink Slip parties sponsored in Detroit several times a year.
Job seekers and employers are highly encouraged to register online by going here. The website also has a list of frequently asked questions about the event here, including tips on what to wear and other helpful links.
About 25 employers are expected to attend, including those from Spectrum Health, Haworth, Inc., Priority Health, Otterbase, Hope Network and Fishbeck Thompson Carr and Huber Inc.
Sources: Ray Saxe; West Michigan Pink Slip Party website
Sharon Hanks is the innovation and jobs news editor at Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]
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