Tammy, Really great point! They key is to find friends/family/contacts you know, who can be your champion!

Meg, This is an inspiring story! I wish "Ben" the best in moving forward. I tell job seekers that 90% of job search is how we think and feel about it and 10% is how we do it. I hope job seekers reading this find the hope they are looking for! Thanks for sharing this with the Career Development Carnival!

Anna, I saw this and thought, how wonderful! This is the simplest yet most difficult advice and I can't wait to start using it for myself and the job seeking clients I work with! Thanks so much! Hannah Morgan aka @CareerSherpa

Kathy, Thank you for referencing my post on how not to network on LinkedIn. Your points are so important for those using LinkedIn to adhere to! As you indicated: "in any networking situation, you want to be tactful, respectful and gracious." Thanks again!

Meg, Great points you are driving home! Don't "go it alone"! I think one of the other things that happens to job seekers is that they begin to lose self-confidence (due to all the reasons you mentioned). I value your information and am so glad there are professionals like you out there!

Megan: These are excellent points! Recruiters and friends aren't going to deliver a job on a silver platter. You have to take ownership and drive your own job search. You've helped explain how to do this! I am fortunate to be able to share this #careercollective initiative with you!

Walter, I always enjoy reading your posts! You are a model for staying true to your unique value and brand. Differentiating ourselves and being memorable through our stories is so powerful! That infamous "they" is always saying, Rules were meant to be broken! Cheers to rule breaking those things that aren't working!

Dan, I am so glad you wrote this post! I don't think people want to believe that their success relies on managing those in power. Perhaps it makes them feel vulnerable or less in control of their destiny, while in fact, the interpersonal skills (Emotional Intelligence) are completely within our control AND can be developed! Thanks again for this data!!!!

Meg: What made your post so wonderful is your mastery of technology. OK, you may not call it mastery, but your ability to pull together these significant posts means that you have a firm grasp on how to source and reference critical information. It also means you are constantly consuming information and a life-long-learner! In my book, these are admirable talents! Your site and posts are wonderful resources for those looking for new employment! Happy New Year!

Walter: And this is exactly why so many people struggle in their careers and job search today! A shift is required. Not everyone has heard the news, nor knows how to make the transformation. I loved "Linchpin" and Godin's quote: “How we respond to the opportunities and challenges of the outside world now determines how much the outside world values us.” Perception is reality, right? As the New Year unfolds, I hope many are asking themselves about their backstory!

Walter: I LOVE this post! You have inspired, challenged and informed! Kick it up a notch folks, Walter is absolutely right.

Rosa, Super 6 reminders at the end of your post! You've answered some of the questions beyond the basics! I really enjoyed reading this!

Megan, Digital dirt is a secret killer, because people are unaware! Thank you for this post highlighting the importance of managing online presence! What I think can be almost as damaging is not having ANY online presence, which I see more commonly with the 45+ age group. Thank you for referencing additional posts on cleaning up digital dirt! Really helpful!!!!

Meg, This is a great success story! Not only does it demonstrate some creativity, it also is about doing what needs to be done. Survival. Employers play hiring games a lot themselves: interviewing candidates when they have an internal candidate already in mind is just one that comes to mind. If we hold back on doing what needs to be done to get an interview...ie, just submit the resume and HOPE, that doesn't pay the bills. You were a fit, bottom line! You really knew that and you weren't afraid to move forward.

Meg, Great points. We are always rehearsing for our next role and we need to manage our careers like a second job. I enjoyed your post! Great to be part of the collective effort with you!

Rosa, Wow, this went on and on! Just when I thought you'd listed everything, you found more. Every single resource you've provided is phenomenal! Great job on the resource rich post!

Karen: Thank you for using the tool! I enjoy skimming through the content myself!

Lally: OK, I give! You won! Thanks for intro'ing me to Tom! He's awesome! As are you! Ops leader extraordinaire!

Deb and Rita: Glad to share this. It was effortless and very cool! Have fun! Looking forward to see how you use it or how your clients use it!