We are posting jobs as fast as they come in. Many of our number have lost their jobs because of layoffs. I'll reserve my acidic opinion about the root cause of these layoffs (engineers are not to blame!) for some other forum. Here is what you can do to help out-of-work engineers:

• Keep IEEE members in mind when you need to fill a position.
• Spread the word to potential employers that IEEE members are available.
• Contact any recruiters you know and tell them we will let our members know, via eNL, about specific job openings at no charge.
• Contact any out-of-work engineers you know, and offer to write a letter of recommendation.
• If you hear of any job openings, contact IEEE-KC Webmaster so the Section can spread those leads via the resources we have.
• Talk to your employer and ask if they would consider a reduced workweek/salary arrangement in lieu of outright layoffs. If you get one day off a week, you can use that time to gain new skills, new employment, freelance revenue, or needed rest. It sure beats having no job at all.
• Talk to your manager and see what you can come up with for enhanced revenue or cost-savings. Now is a great time to wow your employer with a "this paid my salary for a few months" move. If you can't think of anything, contact a company customer and ask for ideas. Not that you're selling that customer anything--you're just asking for ideas.
• Straighten up your cubicle or office at work, keep your shoes shined, and wear a smile. These moves may not seem like much, but subliminal impressions do carry weight.
• Take a look at your own resume. Does it appear crowded? Or are you using plenty of white space and a good-sized font? Your resume is not your CV--it is only your resume. It is not your life history. It is merely a one-page (or maybe two-page) advertisement. Where you sell yourself is in your interview. The resume is just a screening-out tool for HR folks and just a screening-in tool for hiring managers. Quantify your accomplishments, and discard anything insignificant.
• To build your resume a bit, volunteer to be an IEEE KC Section officer. Right now, we need officers to help with the job situation. Potential titles include IEEE Engineering Mentor, IEEE Counselor, IEEE Chaplain (for those really tough job searches!), or whatever you want that sounds appropriate. The goal here is to give you another credential while you do something significant for other engineers. Of course, if you're not a team player, this won't matter to you. But if you are a team player--which is what employers are looking for--something like this speaks volumes for you. To be an officer in this regard, simply contact IEEE-KC Webmaster. After we figure out how you can help, we'll see about having the Section Chair appoint you.