I had a bit of an epiphany the other day about why I enjoy being a career advisor. It links to one of the pastimes I enjoy most: playing Scrabble.

I was quoted in this past Sunday’s Career Couch column about how fraught networking with those who are employed can be since there are so many people out of work these days.

I have been an MIA blogger lately, I admit it. Here’s why: I’ve been preoccupied with an injury. Now of course it could have been worse. During my ski vacation in March, I took a fall and tore a major ligament in my knee. Through plenty of physical therapy and (aggressive) exercise, it healed well. But as my friends and family will attest, I agonized over whether to have surgery to restore full capability for all the things I love to do.

I’m on vacation at the moment, in one of those charming ski towns where people work to live, not live to work. And talking with the locals, many of whom have been here for 20 years and are now in their 40’s, it occurs to me that doing pretty much anything to stay in a particular place is a mixed blessing. As these tales will tell you.

Every day I read an informative article on using Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn for job searching. What worries me about it is the same thing that worries me about job boards: these vehicles can mask a poorly executed job search by making you think you are using your time wisely.

A client of mine and an avid reader of my blog told me during our session today that one of the most valuable pieces of advice I’ve provided him is that when you ask people for help with your job search, you’re not begging.

I feel I’ve been remiss in not contributing to my own blog since I started blogging for The Examiner. http://www.examiner.com/x-3845-NY-Career-Change-Examiner