More on Setting Boundaries and Professionalism

This entry directly refers to my 2/28/09 column.

I received a lot of emails and calls from people in my professional group following my posting to the group. It occurred to me that this is an issue women may face more than men, and I had several exchanges about this.

We women need to learn not to take it personally if someone says, "No, I can't." Because it isn't about you, it's about a person's time and other commitments.

We need to learn when to say no and mean it.

Many job seekers are worried and scared. Some are desperate. They're being told to go network and ask for informational interviews, and that' s a smart thing to do. It is important to remember that many workers are doing more than their own jobs - they are overcompensating for people who have been laid off or for openings put on hold. They're busy, so respect their time.

Approach another person with this thought: I'll state what I'm looking for (mentor, job lead, etc.) and without taking it personally, will understand when someone can't help.

What are your thoughts?