Permission Please!!!

One of the worst mistakes one could make is to use some one's name as a reference to get an interview or schedule a sales call without asking permission first. I, for one, will squash the efforts of someone who uses my name without simply asking if it is okay to do so. Recently, someone who knew of me through a job networking group, called my employer, said I referred them, and scheduled a meeting. Even worse, they told me a fabricated story about someone else saying it was okay to contact my boss and use my name! This applies to job searches equally as well. It takes little time to dot your i's and cross your t's. Make sure this is part of your routine to avoid lost opportunities and uncomfortable encounters!!