Some people just make you want to scream.

My phone rings. Thank you, caller I.D., I won't be talking to this person right now  – or ever. Sadly, this person was calling for my help.

Help? Really? You had me fooled.

This person – Carl* – graduated last year. We were introduced by a mutual friend who spoke highly of him (and that was good enough for me). Carl is an aspiring art director who asked me to help him get his foot in the door. He didn't have any experience, so I recommended an internship. Carl's timing was perfect, because I knew of an opening and it was a paying position.  So I made a call and set Carl up with an interview.

Carl never showed. Didn't even call to reschedule.

Now he's showing up on my caller I.D. – two days later.

A lot of people need help these days. Don't ask for it unless you really mean it. Some of you will hear things you may not like:

"Your resume needs reworking..."

"There's too many samples in your book..."

"You call this creative?"

If it's constructive criticism, swallow your pride, check your ego and take a brutally honest look at your work. Make the adjustments. If you ignore those trying to help you, it's your loss. Then prepare to lose a valuable resource – a resource with insight and possible job leads. If that person steps up on your behalf, you better take two steps and follow through.

But in your defense, yes, some people give lousy advice. If that's the case, be polite and move on. Remember, you came to them.

If you're the person helping, when do you give up? Hmm, what's your tolerance level? Family and friends often get a pass or two (maybe three or four) if they screw up or ignore me. Acquaintances will immediately become "calls missed" on my caller I.D.

*Names have been changed to protect the useless – but you can look on my phone.

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