Steve Blank gives some good career advice: Ask for it. It’s amazing how many people sit around hoping that someone will come and drop a gift in their lap.
As Steve writes:
From that day forward, in my business and personal relationships, I would calculate the consequences of a “No” for an answer against the benefits of getting a “Yes.” The math said that it was almost always worth asking for what you want. And the odds in your favor are even higher, as most of your peers wouldn’t even get into the game due to some unspoken belief that in a meritocracy, good things will come to those who wait. Perhaps if you have a union job based on seniority, but not in any startup I’ve ever seen.
For entrepreneurs good things come to those who ask.
Etsy wasn’t looking for someone to run their Product Management group – I just applied and told them why they needed someone like me. And they hired me (after interviews, of course).
It’s a lot easier to create your own opportunities than wait for them to come to you.