Recently laid off Tech workers get opportunity to dot-commiserate

WEST CHESTER, PA - Recently downsized, about to be fired, or waiting to be terminated IT, Internet and New Media professionals can dot-commiserate during Philadelphia's first-ever Pink Slip Party. Hosted by JobCircle.com and radio station Y100, the event will bring together those in the Internet community most affected by the recent slump in the technology sector.

A combination of not-so-happy hour and networking event, the Pink Slip Party is the latest in a growing national phenomenon. Recruiters and human resource representatives from the area's largest companies will be featured along with recently or soon-to-be released IT workers. It's planned for Wednesday, April 25, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Flanigan's Boathouse in the Great Valley Corporate Center, Malvern. The event is free to job seekers that pre-register at http://www.jobcircle.com/pinkslip.

"Like the rest of the country, the Philadelphia region has been hit hard by the downturn in the tech sector," said Joe Stubblebine, president of JobCircle. "The pink slip party is an opportunity to make light of a bad situation while also providing a valuable service for professionals directly affected by recent events."

Started in New York last year following the "bursting of the bubble" in the dot com industry, the Pink Slip Party concept has spread to California, Washington, Europe and now Philadelphia. One party in Silicon Valley earlier this year drew more than 1,000 people.

"The Pink Slip Party is about solidarity and dot-commiseration," said Meghan Touey, Recruitment Specialist, of Y100 radio. "Dot com workers and sympathizers are given the chance to honor the passing of companies that have closed their doors or downsized their staff during the meltdown. Now it's Philadelphia's turn."

"If you've ever lost your job you know about the stress that comes with it," said Bob Etheridge, vice president of marketing for JobCircle. "This is intended to ease some of that stress while helping people make valuable career contacts. Maybe we'll even see someone land a new position before the old one gets cold."

Among the planned activities are "The Slang Game" for the most creative phrase for getting fired; most creative costume to get noticed by recruiters, and the best song representing the pink slipped (i.e. "Take This Job and Shove It"). The wearing of Pink is strongly encouraged

Attendees will be designated into three groups with the recently released wearing pink glow in the dary wristbands, recruiters wearing green, and the "just curious" wearing blue. "We're trying to make this as easy as possible for employers to meet potential recruits," Etheridge said.

About JobCircle

With a focus on "Careers, Content, and Community," JobCircle provides regional employment opportunities, resume submission, career development, monthly columns, discussion databases, news, regional events, and more for the technology industry. The site boasts a database that includes tens of thousands of registered job seekers, nearly 7,000 employment opportunities, and nearly 400 local and regional employers and registers more that 2.5 million page views per month. The site was the recipient of Delaware Valley Technical Recruiters Network 2000 Techie Award for its positive impact on the technical recruiting industry in the Delaware Valley and was named among the Top 50 career sites in the nation by the authors of CareerXRoads 2001. For information, visit http://www.jobcircle.com or call us at 610-431-2001 x 202.