Editor’s note: Be sure you pick up the updated, 118 Job Search Tips for the Modern Job Seeker in 2018!
Saying “Yes” to every single suggestion in finding a career, or handling conflict could drive you to failure. No one loves a people-pleaser, brown-noser, a suck-up, and just so darn dishonest. Being agreeable to everything does not add cash to your account, nor does it aggregate favors from everyone who has done right by you.
You do not need inspiration from “Yes” every day, any day, any minute, every hour, or from everybody.
“Yes” will not bring you eternal happiness, or bring you internal pleasure in its entirety. It will not bring you philanthropic opportunities, and it will not bring press when you engage in charity. Not letting the right hand know what the left is doing is the blessing, and it’s between you, your conscience, and God.
Taking a job, you will fail at doing should be “NO!” Say it politely, tactfully, and respectfully, “No.”
If someone gives poor advice routinely, tell them “no,” and why, so that they can have a chance to change course. Maybe they will stop giving everyone else unwelcome advice. If that is too much, then for you, say “No.”
Lawd knows you will have to tell your spousal and parental units “no” if the advice is redundant. They do not realize the mouse on the treadmill is tired. Unless you love misery, do not say “NO” hastily or prematurely. Administering the “drive-by” look will not be enough, you have to say “no.”
“No” has to be a part of the job search lifestyle. Without it, soundness of mind is impossibly unreachable.
“Yes” will not revolutionize television, nor will the revolution be televised (shout to Gil Scott Herron). YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook revolutionized everything. Social media already has bought “Yes!” to its needs, made it a slave, and canonical. Check your email monthly, and you can make it your slave too.
“Yes” is so good, it will make you slap your mama. Only “No” will make you think twice. Bad advice, bad opportunities, and offers too good to be true life in the world of “Yes!” Sound judgment, preparedness, and discretion create a filter for stuff too good to be true.
“No” is a second consideration, part of the job game, use it to launch a successful revolution.
About Mark Anthony Dyson
My name is Mark Anthony Dyson, and I am the Founder of The Voice of Job Seekers. I am a career advice writer, but more importantly, I hack and re-imagine the job search process.. I've worked with hundreds of job seekers one-on-one helping them to construct a narrative and strategy that appeals to hiring managers and recruiters. I present at colleges and organizations, and facilitated many workshops including my volunteer effort through a Job Lab. I write and create useful job search content on this blog and write career and workplace advice for blogs such as Glassdoor, Payscale, Job-Hunt.org, Prezi and more. Media Feature highlights: Forbes, Business Insider, NBC News, Glassdoor, LinkedIn's #GetHired, and NPR Freelance writer and content contributor: Glassdoor, Payscale, job-hunt.org, The Financial Diet, RippleMatch.com and more. Contact me to contribute career, job search, or workplace advice for your site at markanthonydyson@gmail.com.
