Rules for 'pink slip' parties that merge happy hour with job recruitment

Unemployed workers looking to stand out from their peers are flocking to "pink slip" parties to get face-to-face time with job recruiters. The social functions give those who are out of work another alternative to waiting in long lines at job fairs or emailing resumes that disappear into cyberspace, never to be heard from again.

It can be difficult to stand out from the crowd when so many people are competing for the same jobs. The advantage to the relatively casual happy hours is that folks looking for work can make a more personal connection with recruiters who have positions to fill. Even if a meeting doesn't result in a job offer, attendees can get to know people in their industry who may have leads on other career opportunities or other news that can help their job hunt.

So far it appears that most of these pink slip parties are being held in large cities like Los Angeles and New York, but it's only a matter of time before those in smaller cities catch on and begin to offer similar events.

While making job contacts over chips and dip is a great idea, those who take advantage of such gatherings need to remember why they are there in the first place. I've come up with a few pink slip party rules to help: