Remember what D.A.R.E. taught you...just say no!

Do y'all remember taking those anti-drug classes in middle school? I don't remember too many specific details that I learned from D.A.R.E., but I do remember that I learned to say no. And while, yes, the educators fully intended this lesson to apply to drugs and alcohol, I am going to make a pushin'-it analogy to your job search in this wretched economy.

Let's face it, there are two things in this life we can all agree on: in middle school we were dying to be accepted, and this economy so completely blows.

If nothing else, D.A.R.E. taught us that while acceptance from your peers was a good (and healthy) thing, there were certain actions and choices that you should never make to earn it. While few of us followed their advice to the letter, I think we all need to think about saying no.

There are no jobs out there. Anyone who is hiring will obviously choose the candidate who was recently laid off and has five years of experience over you. We seemingly don't stand a chance. So when any job offer, anything at all comes along, it is incredibly tempting to snatch it up before someone else can.

Just say no! If the job seems shady, don't take it just because you're desperate. Even though times are tough, give each job the same consideration you would if you had 10 job offers in hand. I know we may have to give up on our dream jobs at the present, but will that job offer lead to your dream job? If not, then why do it?

Think before you accept. Just because you're desperate for employment like we were all desperate for acceptance as tweens, shouldn't be enough of a reason to say yes.