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”.