Dale: Dana, Dana, Dana. If you get a job via networking, you are getting a prescreened job/workplace that someone you know believes would suit you. If your friends are sending you to lousy situations, what does that say about you? Well ... it says that your friends don't know what you're looking for. That's because you seem focused on what you are NOT looking for — a list including just about every category of entry-level job. Given all the jobs you don't want, I suspect your contacts are suggesting it's-a-job jobs, knowing you won't like it anyway.

J.T.: That seems a bit harsh.

Dale: No. Dana's letter reminds me of a Jimmy Buffet song where he meets a woman and says of her, "I'm just the next man you're gonna blame." I get the feeling from Dana that a new job is just the next one she's going to hate.

J.T.: Being in the wrong job can make the entire world seem bleak, so let's assume that Dana is just venting. What you need, Dana, is not just one, but several exciting career options. That way, you'll never feel trapped. You know that if one doesn't work out, you can move on, which makes you less stressed about the job and able to enjoy it more. So I'd like you to go play the Career Interests Game at the Web site of the University of Missouri. (Just do a Google search.)

Dale: If you do that, you'll find some new energy to put together with the career advice you've been questioning, and I'm betting it will start to work for you, especially the networking.

J.T.: It may not work as quickly as you'd like, but that's a result of the current economy. There are 13 million people without jobs. However, the good news is that there are, right now, more than 4 million jobs available. Good advice will help you find one of those jobs where your background fits the job and where your new career enthusiasm can be tested and, let's hope, reinforced.

Dear J.T. & Dale: There is one recruiter who has a lot of the high-end jobs I qualify for, but for some reason she has yet to respond to me about any of those listings. Why hasn't she contacted me? Is it rude to call her and ask if I have been considered? — Lynne

J.T.: Most recruiters are overwhelmed with applicants right now. So, just calling or e-mailing once isn't good enough. I would contact her and ask what is the best way to get considered for the positions she has available. In particular, inquire as to whether there's a process she likes new applicants to follow to make sure they get her everything she needs for them to be considered. Framing it this way is more pleasant and shows respect for her role in the hiring process.

Dale: This is another case where questions are the answer. In sales, it's called permission marketing — you ask people how they want to be contacted and what you can do to help make their decision easier. If you can't reach the recruiter on the phone (likely) and you end up asking those questions via e-mail or voicemail, maybe you still don't get a response back, but you'll have done a classy follow-up and increased your odds of getting noticed in the right way.

Jeanine "J.T." Tanner O'Donnell is the founder of the consulting firm jtodonnell.com. Dale Dauten's latest book is "(GREAT) EMPLOYEES ONLY: How Gifted Bosses Hire and De-Hire Their Way to Success." Please visit them at jtanddale.com, where you can send questions via e-mail, or write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., 15th Floor, New York, NY 10019.