Blog Post: Do Not be Afraid to Ask for Help

Let’s face it; most of us have a tough time asking someone for help.  We feel like we need to “go it alone,” rather than, except that others may have more skill in a particular area.  Looking for a job in today’s economy requires a tactical, creative, diverse and collaborative strategic approach.  Granted, it should not be “What can you do for me?” but rather, “Can you assist me in achieving my career objective?”

Here are some of my thoughts:

Online Networking- Linkedin.com, myspace.com and facebook.com have genuine value in your job search.  Be professional, be engaging and connect with many people to maximize your job prospects.  How many times have you read blogs and never posted a “burning question?”  Use resources, such as del.icio.us to bookmark and monitor your social networking sites.

Traditional Networking – Yes, you constantly hear, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”  You do not have to rely on nepotism to land your next job, instead seek out the opportunity to meet new people and take the time to reconnect with past acquaintances.  There are a plethora of networking groups out there dedicated to helping you, such as the Scottsdale Job Network, church groups and One-Stop Centers .  Invest some time on Google (or whatever search engine you prefer) searching for networking groups in your area.

Blogs – Learn from others by setting RSS feeds to your favorite online orators or websites.  Why try to “reinvent the wheel” when someone, somewhere has already encountered the same problem?  

Online Job Resources – Rather than endlessly searching great online job boards, why not tailor your search?  Set up a “Job Scout” to have job possibilities sent directly to your email.  This approach is great for people who know exactly what skills they possess and what jobs they want. 

Human to Human Contact – I have known many job seekers who spend 10, 12 or 14 hours per day searching online endlessly!  When I first started looking for a job, someone told me, “Looking for a job is a full-time job!”  Since that time, I have come to my own conclusion that quality time is better than quantity of time.  My recommendations for job seekers includes balancing of time: Visit Job Fairs, contact your local community college career center which is free and open to the public, visit your local One-Stop Center (http://www.careeronestop.org) or other provider of career-support assistance to gain further insight.  Take the time to ask someone to “critique” your resume!  

Rest assured the right opportunity will present itself, if you take the time to find it or invest the energy to create it!  Please post your comments below.