Asking for Help and Advice During a Job Search

Most people, even strangers, are more than willing to help others, but we just don’t seem to know how to ask them for the support we need. And very often, there are simple ways for us to assist those who help us. Learn how you can take advantage of your existing relationships to make everyone more productive.


During a period of unemployment, a woman by the name of Susan was being coached on the importance of networking with executives. Her coach asked her to contact senior level executives at various companies. Susan was to try to get advice from them, see who they knew, and get them to remember me when they would need someone with her skills. Initially she thought that these people would be too busy to talk to her. "How would I even get past their secretaries?" Was her first concern.


Susan was convinced that there was no way these executives would interrupt their busy schedules for a chat with her. The truth in situations like these is that no one in our modern society gets anywhere all by themselves. Even big important executives have problems to be solved, and they need others to help them do it. Most people like to help others. The key to getting help from others is to ask them for something that they can say yes to, and not to take it personally if they decline. In the example, Susan lost count of how many executives she contacted. Most of the people she talked to were, in fact, very nice. There were a few who were rude. But their rudeness was their problem, not Susan's.


So, if you have been fighting or struggling with a problem or a situation, think about whom you can turn to for help. You may be surprised at what happens. There are many people willing to offer help and support.