Pongo Blog | Announcing Our Holiday Charity Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to everyone who responded to last week’s post, in which we were offering a $250 donation from Pongo to a charity randomly chosen from among readers' submissions. We hope the post served to promote awareness of a great variety of charities! But only one could be selected, and without further ado, the winner of the $250 is…

Camp Heartland/One Heartland, a Minnesota-based non-profit organization committed to improving the lives of children, youth, and their families around the world who are impacted by HIV/AIDS and other significant life challenges.

Our reader Victoria submitted Camp Heartland/One Heartland as her charity of choice, and we're pleased to be able to donate $250 to this deserving organization.

Quick Facts about One Heartland

Since 1993, One Heartland has provided summer camp experiences to over 7,000 children impacted by HIV/AIDS.
More than 75% of One Heartland's participants live in poverty.
Campers come from all over the country to attend programs at sites in Minnesota, California, and New York, plus an international expansion is being planned.
Programs and services are provided free of charge to all participants through the generosity of thousands of individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Congratulations to Victoria and to One Heartland! Pongo's $250 donation is on its way!

Can you post a blog about how to tactfully and respectfully handle inappropriate job leads?

At the beginning of December, my company informed me, with heavy heart, that I will be laid off as of January 2nd.

When this happened, I took Pongo's great advice and reached out to my network with my resume and asked for their assistance.

It ABSOLUTELY worked. I am so grateful to have my "network" beating the streets for me however, I am being inundated with leads for jobs that even if I wanted to, I could not entertain.

I think their gesture of mentioning that their Dental Office is hiring an receptionist is so kind and warm. I would never want to offend them by saying I not only need more challenge professionally (alot more), I also need more money for my family situation and frankly, my experience is worth more money than that.

How do I tell my husband's aunt that the cashier position at the local supermarket that she found for me won't cut it. She means well, and in her day - this would be a great job for a young, busy mom. She is old school and stodgy and would think I'm just too big for my britches if I tried to explain that I am one of THOSE women who has a CAREER, not just a job. When she checks back in with me and asks, "Did you go down there and fill out an application?!" I feel guilty whether I say Yes or No.

Many of these wonderful people (rightfully so) have no idea how much I make now, or have made before I landed here 7 years ago however they all know how talented, resourceful, and savvy I am at work. Many of these folks are in positions similar to the ones they're recommending.

Here is why it confounds me: If my boss was losing his job - I would NEVER presume that he could just go work as data entry clerk. I would assume he would look for something equal to what he earns/does now, wouldn't you?

Here is how I have been responding when these people are thoughtful enough to mention one of these positions: I thank them and let them know I'll look into it and then I give them a copy of my resume. I hand off the resume partly to encourage them to continue to think of me, but also to urge them to read between the lines a bit and see my depth of experience.

I may reach a point where one of these positions is going to save my family but until I am there, how do I not offend them but stay honest?

Help!