Harmful Helping During Your Job Search

"Unhealthy Helping," a term coined by Psychology professor Shawn Meghan Burn, PhD at California Polytechnic State University, in the 2016 book entitled 'Unhealthy Helping: A Psychological Guide to Overcoming Codependence, Enabling, and Other Dysfunctional Giving,' which researches the impact of people who help and give in ways that are ultimately harmful to themselves or others.

When you begin applying for positions you may hear well-intentioned advice or suggestions from friends, family, and even strangers. While they mean well, they may be hurting you in your job search.

Harmful helping may be suggesting that one can simply go into an establishment, give them your name and elevator pitch and be offered a job on the spot. Well... this isn't the seventies anymore, the job market is saturated with potential candidates, all vying for the same jobs and HR departments that double as security for companies and organizations.

This article will address tips and tricks to eliminate harmful helping and guide well-meaning family members towards understanding of the modern job search.

What Is Harmful Helping and How to Avoid It

Harmful helping is a behavioral pattern that can take many forms. It can be expressed through direct, overt behaviors such as giving unsolicited advice or instruction and offering unsolicited emotional support.

This can lead to feelings of resentment and frustration on the part of the receiver, who may then withdraw from these situations altogether.

Be Careful Who You Take Advice From

It's human nature to seek out advice when facing a challenge.

But, be careful who you take advice from. Since no two people have the same experiences, it's important to make sure that the advice you're getting is relevant to your situation.

And — it's also important to know how much of an expert someone really is. Sometimes, those we look up to may not be as knowledgeable as we think they are. So, when you're seeking advice, do your research and make sure it comes from someone you trust and respect.

Always question whether or not the advice you're getting is actually helping you solve your problem. You might just find that taking that extra step on your own way toward success is the best decision after all!

Tips and Tricks for Eliminating Harmful Helping During Your Job Search

The most common job search mistakes are working too hard, not networking and not making yourself visible.

One of the main reasons people fail in their job search is because they work too hard. If you are putting in long hours every day, you will burn out and become less motivated to keep searching.

You need to be realistic about how much time you can realistically put into your job search, and then work accordingly.

A common job search mistake is not networking. If you don’t make yourself visible by attending events and talking to people, it will be very difficult for recruiters to find you. Go out and network as much as possible – even if it feels awkward at first – so that recruiters have a chance to connect with you.

Finally, another common job search mistake is not making yourself visible by wearing your brand proudly on your sleeve. Make sure that all of your social media profiles show the same image, so that potential employers know that you are serious about getting a new job.

Conclusion

Helping is always wanted or good, it could be equally harmful if given unsolicited. While a friend or a family member may believe they are helping you on your job search, it is important to recognize the proper ways to offer support. To avoid unsolicited advice, the job seeker may create boundaries and their family and friends will have to abide by them and only give advice if it is asked of them.