One + - July 2010 - (Page 54)

Dawn Rasmussen Get the Job for you if, in the long run, you’re not qualified. It makes me look bad if I pull strings when I really shouldn’t, and you look bad by overreaching your bounds and grasping at straws. The Wall Street Journal reported this spring that while you may be 80 percent qualified for a job, the person who gets it is 110 I’VE BEEN CONTACTED BY A percent qualified. Make sure you and specifying what it is you’re NUMBER OF ACQUAINTANCES looking for. Here are some critical fit the job, and don’t play the justOVER THE PAST FEW DAYS in-case game; it’s not effective. missteps that could prevent your LOOKING FOR HELP IN THEIR Don’t think in terms of jobs. friends and colleagues from helpJOB SEARCHES, EACH UNDERThink of the people and relationing you find the perfect job. STANDABLY DISTRAUGHT AND Don’t send out a general broad- ships that lead to jobs. People DESPERATE. It’s awful out there, sometimes get so focused on the cast asking about job openings. and looking for work is an egojob that they forget that there are This is awkward because people bashing experience, especially want to help you, but can’t. If you people who can help pave the when mortgages and bills are due. say you’ll do anything from build- way to it. Ask yourself, “Who do It’s scary when unemployment ing rockets to washing cars, you’re I know who is connected to this could mean losing everything and company or job?” and build your being too broad. Focus on a speending up on the street. cific area or a particular job so that road toward that position by cultiSadly, all these panicky inquivating and nurturing a relationship people know what to look for on ries lacked specific career goals, your behalf. “Any job” isn’t effec- with the people who can provide and it’s frustrating for me, because tive and cripples efforts by your access. I want to help but can’t. I simply Don’t let on how desperate you friends to help—I simply don’t can’t keep a running tab of all jobs know what to look for to help you are. No matter how bad things get, that are open—no one person can. out, so I end up doing nothing, you must keep your dignity. When Don’t fret: Most people really squelching any kind of assistance I you beg, you cross a dangerous do want to help friends, colleagues might be able to offer. threshold where you have lost perand family members who are out Don’t apply if you’re not quali- spective of your value. Keep your of work, and the best way to do fied. Before your career cheerlead- composure. Looking for a job is that is to connect job seekers to the ers can go onto LinkedIn.com like playing poker, and that means people who control the jobs. keeping your poker face on at all or start the introduction process, But sending out APBs isn’t an they need to understand how your times. Anything not relevant to the effective way to ask for help. Job job search should be checked at the career assets directly connect to seekers can’t expect their networks their hiring colleagues. Straight up: door to avoid tipping your hand. to magically pull jobs out of hats— I am not going to put my reputaEmployers know that it is bad out that requires cultivating contacts there—they see the hundreds of tion on the line by opening doors Want to kill your chances at getting a job? BIO 54 one+ 07.10 DAWN RASMUSSEN, CMP, is the president of Portland, Ore.-based Pathfinder Writing and Careers, which specializes in hospitality/meeting job searches. She has been a meeting planner for more than 15 years and an MPI member since 2001. http://www.LinkedIn.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of One + - July 2010

One+ - July 2010
In It Together
Contents
The Energy of Many
Impressions
Overheard
Agenda
Top Spots
Focus On
SoundOff
Hot Buzz
Art of Travel
Your Community
Making a Difference
Connections
Irrelevant
Refresh Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself
Who Owns Social, Anyway?/Embrace the Changing Pace
Penalty for Posting Event Videos Online
Improving Your Meeting Performance
Want to Kill Your Chances at Getting a Job?
A Natural Fit
Wearing the Green Crown
Off the Beaten Path
Cracking the Code
Clear Your Mindspace
There Is No Try
Grassroots Giving
Recognizing Market Transformation
Meet Where?

One + - July 2010