Have you personally experienced “downsizing” as a result of the recession?

On Friday I received a telephone call from Daiene Vernile, the Anchor and Producer of ProvinceWide, a news and information program broadcast at 6:30 pm on Sunday evenings on CTV Southwestern Ontario. As a service to her viewers, she will be hosting a town hall special broadcast in February on Coping with Job Loss. The entire broadcast will be devoted to exploring ways to deal with job loss during these uncertain times.

As a local broadcaster, CTV Southwestern Ontario wants to interview several local residents who have experienced job loss.

Are you willing to share your “downsizing” story on television? You would be interviewed, and specifically asked to describe your experience. Were you surprised by the termination? How is your new job search going? Are you retraining for another career? What has this meant for your family finances?

It’s obviously difficult to discuss personal matters like downsizing on television, but you will be seen by thousands of people, and it could even land you a new job! What better way to advertise your services to potential employers.

I have appeared on ProvinceWide on two previous occasions (the last time was in November, 2008 on a town hall meeting discussing the recession, called Your Money, Your Future; the attached picture is from that broadcast), and I have always found Daiene Vernile to be very well prepared and informed, so I have no hesitation in publishing this request for help with the broadcast. Ms. Vernile will not try to ambush or embarrass you; she truly wants to help people by having real people tell their stories.

If you have experienced downsizing and are available in the Kitchener, Cambridge or Guelph area to record an interview, please e-mail me with your name and e-mail address or phone number, or call me directly at 310-PLAN, and I’ll put you in touch with Ms. Vernile. Who knows, your story may help other people, and may even help you find a job!