You have to market yourself. I market myself to schools as a speaker and presenter of my Career Strategies Workshop. Last June I was the commencement speaker at Art Institute of Tampa and this past January I presented my Career Strategies Workshop at Ringling College of Art and Design and the DAVE School in Florida. This came about because I knocked on their door (a number of times!) -- I made myself known to them. You have to create your own opportunities.

As a recruiter, I market myself to companies and describe how I work differently from other recruiters. Recently I recruited for the Embassy Visual Effects in Vancouver because I knocked on their door (via email).

So, you have sought out a company, knocked on their door and received an interview. If you know you want to work for that company, let them know. Ask for the job. An employer will not know that you want the job unless you ask for it, even if you have interviewed for it. Tell the employer why you would like to work for him/her. For example, "I'd really love to work at Disney and have dreamed about this ever since I saw The Lion King. Your recent film The Princess and the Frog had several scenes which gave visual homage to other titles in Disney's heritage such as The Little Mermaid and Jungle Book."

Don't be shy about being sincere and genuine. If you are a fan of the company and its product, state openly and enthusiastically you'd like to work there.

Asking can be a powerful tool to get what you really desire. Try it.

Pamela Kleibrink Thompson is a recruiter, career coach, writer and speaker and is learning to ask for help. She appreciates the wisdom her mom shared with her about asking. She's traveling with her mom to Omaha at the end of April to see Warren Buffet speak at the Berkshire Hathaway shareholder's meeting. She asked her mom if she could go. You can reach her at PamRecruit@q.com.