When looking for a job we like and a successful career, we usually think about our skills, knowledge and motivation. I guess this makes sense. After all, jobs are about what we do. Work is the application of skills and knowledge.

It makes sense then to look for organizations that need your type of knowledge and skills. Locate them and you will be well on your way to finding a job. Who needs people other than as a method to get to your job via networking?

When thinking about what jobs and careers are best for us, we can get side-tracked when we restrict ourselves to an exploration of skills and knowledge. We miss the importance of people and the nature of our work relationships. People can be our true compass to finding the right job for us. Think of people

Job seekers – all job seekers – have, or at least believe they have, some vulnerability that they feel gets in the way of their ability to get hired. Under qualified, over qualified, too old, too young, too ugly, too pretty, wrong color, wrong name, wrong town – the list goes on. And when the market gets a bit tighter, and searches get longer, a vulnerability feels like it will crush their job search.

The approach I have found works best is a bit different depending on the situation, but it works pretty well:

Understand that bias is at play for all candidates for any job. Yours might be age, for others it is lack of experience. Just understand what yours is and have a strategy to overcome it – in resumes and interviews.

Them: So, tell me about yourself.

You: What do you want to know?

Them: You know, a little bit about your background.

You: Well…I started out as a child…

Them: Zzzzzzz….

The nerve of them. You ask a simple favor. Send your resume to one of their contacts. Forward you the name and number or at least the email address of their friend, or colleague, or somebody they thought could use your skills or talent. It was even their idea. They promised they would follow through! The meeting you had with them was so collegial, they even paid for the latte and muffin after you trekked halfway across town through rush hour to meet at the Starbucks (the one on the north side of the street, not the one on the south side of the street) and you were almost late. But you made it.

Of course you sent the email thanking them for their time and their advice and now you are waiting for some action. You just want to get in the door, to get a fair shake in this painful job search and they said they would help but it has been almost two weeks since you met. It makes you irritated, frustrated, sad and then just plain mad. What is wrong here? Why do people behave this way? What can you do about it?

It dawned on me one time while I was at a breakfast meeting for some Association of Whatever. It was the typical event with time set aside for networking before the program began. I do not recall what the program was about but I do recall I was not interested in the program that was offered.

So why did I spend $35 to attend? I had a mission. I was there to network. I was there to find people in the crowd that might help me in my job search. I stood there with a hopeful and open expression on my face and a ready smile, balancing in my hand a rubbery bagel and coffee that was too hot then too cold to drink.

I had an overpowering urge to walk out the door.

My unemployed peers had great name for these events: “The Dawn Patrol”.