I have a lot of quirky interests: the music of the Grateful Dead, 19th century American history, travelling to formerly Communist countries, historical linguistics, and providing directions to tourists around our Manhattan office.

As I was walking to the office this weekend to write this newsletter, I stopped twice to provide directions: first to a family from Spain looking for the Angelika Theater and then to a group of girls from Iowa trying to find Balthazar. We’re located right in SoHo near the southern tip of Manhattan, so we get a lot of tourist traffic around our building.

Having lived in New York City for over a decade, I’ve learned the ropes and can tell you why Houston is pronounced HOW-sten, and not like the city of the same name, or why we call it Greenwich Village when it’s in the middle of the biggest city in America.

I really enjoy giving street directions, and my wife really enjoys teasing me about it. And I’ve thought about why it is that I like doing it — it seems a rather odd hobby.

I suppose it’s because that hard-won knowledge of your city’s geography, and the pride you have in it, is so valuable, and so easy, to share with people who are unfamiliar with it. It greatly improves the afternoon of whomever I’ve helped out, and it’s a nice way to feel like you’re being helpful to your fellow man.

Which got me to thinking about why I enjoy providing advice in the job hunt… I suppose there are similarities.

I’ve been in the online recruitment business for over a decade, and during that time, I’ve picked up the knowledge of just exactly how difficult and confusing the job search can be for even very successful professionals — and the simple things they can do to make their search easier and better and shorter.

The formula for success in the job hunt is pretty easy to describe, but it takes persistence and sticking to your plan.

And when I’ve helped somebody in the job search it makes much more than just their afternoon brighter — it has such a positive impact on them, their outlook, their family and their whole life, that I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment and satisfaction from it.

Now, fortunately, I’m not doing it alone. My colleagues at TheLadders get the same sense of satisfaction and fulfillment from helping you through your job hunt.

Today we have over 300 people here at TheLadders.com in New York City, and I’d like to ask you to reach out to them with any questions you might have at all. Whether it’s help with your resume, articles and advice on the job search, or assistance with making the most out of the site, my colleagues are here to help you.

So give us a call, drop us a line, or chat with us online.