A few days ago, we were talking about "warm" job leads – i.e. introductions from friends/colleagues who are known, liked, and trusted by hiring managers.
            
And I urged you to spend an hour or so, this week if you can, reaching out to old co-workers or anyone else you know in your circle who might know a hiring manager who is looking for someone like you to join their team.
            
Why?
            
Because these are the best kind of job leads you can ever get.

A lot of folks – myself included sometimes – are afraid to ask for help.
            
We're afraid of imposing ourselves onto other people, or putting those we care about in a position where they have to turn us down and feel bad for it.
            
But here's something I've come to appreciate lately:

When I was a kid and we used to go trick-or-treating, I remember there was this house in my neighborhood that my friends and I would always skip.
            
Why?
            
The house was practically a mansion and it had a HUGE driveway.
            
I guess, looking back, it was kind of intimidating. It looked like it belonged to a rich guy who'd shout at us and chase us away if we dared knock on his door.

A few weeks ago, we spoke about why EVERY job seeker should have an elevator pitch  ("Memorize this word for word").
            
Hopefully, you've created one by now.
            
(If not, you might want to consider joining Dream Job Formula -- because, in this program, I take you through the process of: (a) determining what you want from your dream job; (b) figuring out your "unique selling point" as a candidate; and (c) putting together an elevator pitch, resume, and cover letter that work together to position you as a star candidate.)

Here's a simple rule that will serve you well:
            
I.e. it will create new opportunities for you for years to come, including job opportunities right now and career advantages later on.
            
When you're at an event, and you've just met someone new, and you've had an interesting conversation that you both want to continue offline, and you're about to shake their hand and move on...
            
Ask for their business card.

It's been almost a week since I shared my idea with you -- about teaching you one new habit or improvement you can make to your job search game, that will help you double your chances of landing a job in 72.
            
We've already seen some great stuff.
            
Like, how you can put a small twist on the traditional "thank you" note to make them many times more effective...

One of my favorite movies is It's a Wonderful Life.
            
Although it contains many important life lessons -- and quite a few lessons about success -- there's one that always stood out to me:
            
George (the main character) was about to jump off a bridge and into a freezing river -- over a missing $8,000 (which was worth a lot more in those days). However, after his guardian angel talks him out of it, and when George returns home... he sees that all his friends and neighbours had pulled together and found $8,000 to help him out, without his asking for it.

Why?

There was another scene in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory that left an impression on me, and I think every job candidate ought to take heed:
            
It's Charlie's birthday, and Grandpa George and Grandpa Joe bought him a Wonka Bar. The first ticket already got found by the German kid. Everyone's gathering around, watching Charlie open the bar, hoping the second one is inside waiting for him. Charlie asks:
            
"I've got the same chance as anybody else, haven't I? "

Just a few days ago I watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory -- the *real* version with Gene Wilder, not that newer abomination -- for what was probably the twentieth time. It's one of my favorite movies ever.
            
Anyway, when I was watching it this time around, I realized there's an important lesson in this movie for anyone who's looking for a job -- especially folks who are struggling to make it past the interview stage.
            
Can you guess what this lesson is?

A few days, we talked about being an “older” candidate facing an interviewer who looks like they were born around the time you landed your first job.

For many seasoned and experienced candidates, it can be a nerve-wracking situation. And, if you are unsure how to approach the situation, it can often be difficult to win them over.

However, if know how to approach the situation, it’s possible to turn age differences into a non-issue and parlay your experience into an asset that wins the job.