A New Strategy Asking for Help

A New Strategy Asking for HelpA New Strategy Asking for HelpA New Strategy Asking for HelpIts a new year, and it may be time to try something new asking for help. The beginning of a new calendar gives us the boldness to consider the options we often overlook. And in most job searches, we overlook reaching out to those who could give us a leg up.Dont worry about being a burden. Asking for help is a sign of a savvy professional. It will better prepare you for the next time you find yourself or a colleague in the midst of a job search. And as others help you, you will surely get an opportunity to return the favor.The three points below are simplified directives to advance your search efforts and ultimately, your career.1. Bring someone in to discipline your search.Connecting with a coach, friend or colleague will foster an attitude of discipline and accountability within your strategy. This personal or professional pillar can help you define your goals. As I mentioned in my last article , Proper Preparation for Success in Your Search Efforts, your people can connect with their people and a coach can even help to identify your target opportunities and help you develop and implement your own marketing plan and collateral.Personal connections help amp up your willpower you tell someone that youre going to stop smoking and it makes you try to live up to that expectation. On the other hand, reaching out to professional contacts and bringing an expert into your journey is like taking the advice of a dietician or a physical trainer it can propel you forward, faster.2. Make sure its the right someone.The credibility of the person you select is critical in moving toward your professional goal. Consider what type of person can best complement your work style and meet the expectations you have. If its a personal connection you seek, listen to their success stories even ask for references. If youre looking for a professional, check their market presence online and study thei r offerings on their Web site. Are they on LinkedIn? What do their Recommendations say about them?If you have done your due diligence, then you will have learned about their credibility, integrity and degree of success. These will certainly weigh on your job search.3. Share the good, the bad and the ugly.Your support team has a vested interest in your success They want to see you succeed and reciprocal communication is paramount to their partnership in your success. Remember that the road to any successful relationship is paved in both directions its not a one-way street.Manage the relationship with your support team the same way that you might manage the relationship with your most trusted advisor. Be sure to communicate your success and failures and keep an open mind to their ideas. Remember that its ok to be vulnerable with your coach, friend or colleague. They need to know the good, the bad and the ugly regarding your career history in order to help you.This year has the potenti al to be the best for you and your career You owe it to yourself to tap your personal resources and engage the services of a professional to expedite your search.Go getem