SUPER JOB SEARCH IV

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS BOOK

The most comprehensive and helpful job search book I have read. It’s the perfect state-of-the-art jobsearching advice for the 21st century. A must-read for my students.

—Simon Edery, Producer; Instructor, Academy of Art University

Peter is a consummate mentor for advising on how to become re-engaged in the workforce. Whether you are seeking a mid-level management position or the role of a CEO, his guidance is on the mark.

—Michael Stark, President & COO, HomeDeliveryLink; Author

A lot of great tips!

—Amy Mays, Reviewer, GoodReads.com

Outstanding practical advice for job seekers, consultants, and entrepreneurs.

—Kenneth Yancey, CEO. SCORE.org

"Super Job Search IV tops the list for state-of-the-art techniques in tune with today’s tricky social and media networking. Using these techniques made me an outstanding candidate, landing a super job. Provides every tool you’ll ever need, plus online resources."

—Steve Finney, General Manager, Quiksilver

"Super Job Search IV, the interactive edition, is the most comprehensive job search manual I have ever reviewed. The book covers all age groups and has a full section on how to start a business for entrepreneurs. It is the perfect career manual for job seekers, career counselors, human resources professionals, outplacement firms, and recruiters."

—Andy Heck, Human Resources Professional

"Super Job Search IV is a must-have for anyone recently out of work, or looking to make a switch. It helped me land a dream job 20 minutes from home in a tough job market. The best job-search advice anywhere."

—Aileen Zeidman, HR Manager, St. Joseph Center

Incredibly more detailed than the third edition and packed with useful data for the job seeker and career-changing candidate.

—Terrence Payne, CHA, MPH, PA, Program Specialist, Clinical Professo

If Yoda had written about mastering the job search ‘Force,’ this would be it. Studner hands you decades of winning experience in an expertly organized format that navigates job search with strategies for immediate use.

—Leon Directo, Director, Dignity Health

Studner shows readers how to turn mundane resumes and letters into interesting documents that result in interviews. His book and online resources are loaded with samples. As a creative director, I know that applicants with original and well-written documents always get an interview. Studner’s book nails this completely.

—Don Spector, former Creative Director, BBDO/West

A critical tool for finding the next job opportunity or career. It should be part of every severance package.

—Alfred J. Landegger, Esq., Landegger Baron Law Group Employment & Labor Law Advice, Solutions and Litigation

In today’s competitive environment for top-notch talent, it is critical for the job seeker to be as prepared as possible for the interview process. From 20 years’ experience preparing and assessing them in interviews, I find this book extremely helpful for anyone seeking a new employment opportunity. The knowledge, tools, and examples provided are realistic, easy to use, and can make a difference in the hiring decision. I would recommend it for my recruiting staff, those looking to progress in their current careers, recent graduates, and my own children.

—Andraea Douglass, Senior Vice President for Talent, Culture and Human Resources, The Ohio State University

Excellent, easy-to-follow. It takes the fear out of finding employment and is encouraging and concise.

—Danielle Kerins, Reviewer, GoodReads.com

Clear, concise, and an easy read. It offers complete, progressive steps to become an outstanding candidate. Combined with Studner’s extensive online resources and his mobile app, it gives any candidate the ‘whole package.’ I highly recommend it!

—Craig Willardson, Former President and CEO, Moark, LLC (subsidiary of Land O’Lakes); Chairman, American Egg Board

"Super Job Search IV is your search GPS for landing your next big opportunity. Peter Studner masterfully guides you step-by-step into being an in-demand candidate. Super Job Search IV is a disciplined journey that when followed delivers amazing results. I know–I’ve applied it to my own searches and it works!"

—Peter M. Kardash, Operations Manager, Amazon.com

In steps as easy as Lego blocks, it teaches you how to build your resume and job search strategy to levels of mastery for which most experts charge thousands. To anyone looking for that Perfect Job, read this book first.

—Michael Baumgartner, Senior Leader, Global Staffing and Human Resources, Amazon.com

"Super Job Search IV hits the job search jackpot! Studner’s new edition has everything you need to know. Ideal for entry level to CEOs. Sample resumes and cover letters show how it’s done. This book will save all job seekers tons of time, while assuring that they win the right job. Don’t job search without it!"

—John P. Munz. VP Human Resources, LA BioMed

Peter Studner does a remarkable job. It is a must-read for anyone looking for work. You are receiving guidance from one of the best subject matter experts in the USA.

—Al Goodman, President, Albert James Associates, LLC

Peter Studner, the consummate professional in outplacement, has done it again, only better this time. A must-read for job seekers.

—Davis Blaine, ASA, Chairman, The Mentor Group, Inc.

"Super Job Search IV is the high point of Peter Studner’s extraordinary experience, acquired by assisting thousands of job seekers over the past 28 years. His new book provides concrete solutions to tough problems most job seekers run into. I had to leave a good job only to find a fantastic one thanks to Peter’s advice and support."

—Michael Belman MD, MPH, Medical Director, Anthem Blue Cross of California

"THE Bible on job search—this comprehensive treatise is loaded with cutting-edge tips, techniques, and strategies for serious job seekers, those seeking to make a career change, and even employers making hiring decisions. As a seasoned Human Resources executive who has been a job seeker and hiring manager, I have yet to find a body of work as valuable as the Super Job Search series. Peter Studner pioneered in this field for 30 years. Super Job Search IV is a masterpiece and testimony to his passion for helping others become successful."

—Marty Holtzman, US Country Human Resources, Agilent Technologies, Inc.

I am extremely impressed. This is a phenomenal resource for anyone seeking a job opportunity. As an HR professional for many years, I find this by far one of the most comprehensive tools I have reviewed. This book is a must-read if you are in the job market just starting your career or if you are looking to change careers. Well worth the investment.

—Kim Lambert, Manager of Talent Acquisition, The Ohio State University

"From a long-standing executive recruiter’s perspective, Super Job Search IV is arguably the best resource and most definitive book ever written on job search, perfect for first-time job seekers to C-Suite executives. Take it from someone who 28 years ago was Peter Studner’s client, this edition far surpasses the earliest version, which was then the definitive authority."

—Neal Maslan, Managing Partner, Caldwell Partners

"I have run a recruiting firm for 30 years, and we have helped clients hire 20,000+ new employees. So I know how people get jobs. For years, I have told job seekers that the original Super Job Search was the only book ever published about getting a job that was just simply CORRECT. I will continue to recommend this book to every job seeker I run across. After reading and following the directions in Super Job Search IV, they will get a better job and get it more quickly! Period. It is just CORRECT."

—John Wentworth, President, The Wentworth Company, Inc. / Wentworth Recruiting

A peerless reference for acumen, judgment, and sage advice, as you navigate your way to your new position.

—Steve Iborg, Vice President Sales, Monogram Foods

Indispensable. This book should be translated into all major languages. No library in the world should be without it.

—George Louis Kumar, PhD, MBA; Vice President of Marketing & Scientific Affairs, Targos GmbH, Kassel, Germany

As an employment attorney, I frequently have clients who have been separated from their employers. Super Job Search IV is an excellent, easy-to-read job-search guide for people of all ages. Every page resonates with valuable tips for all readers, from entry-level to executives. This is a must-read for anyone concerned about their job and career.

—Todd Bennett, Esq., Bennett & Belfort, PC, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Peter has proven once again that he is the master of intelligent job search. This book is a great resource, not just for beginning/immediate job seekers, but for all professionals who have aspirations of growing in their careers.

—Michael D. Anderson, AVP, Commercial Loan Officer, Wells Fargo

"For more than 20 years, every time someone asks me to give advice on a job search, a career transition, or on re-entering the workplace, I tell them to immediately purchase a copy of Super Job Search. This latest version not only provides the wisdom, techniques, and guidance of its predecessors, it also shows how to utilize state-of-the-art technology, including social media, to give the job seeker a significant advantage in a highly competitive job market. Provides the reader a huge advantage over other candidates. No one should consider starting a job search without first thoroughly reading Super Job Search IV."

—Martin J. Hewett, Senior Client Partner, Morgan Samuels, Executive Search Consultants

SUPER JOB SEARCH IV ®

Copyright © by Peter K. Studner, all rights reserved

Editions I, II and III 1987–2011, IV Edition 2015

Printed in the United States of America. This publication may not be copied, reproduced, disclosed, transferred, or reduced in any form, including electronic medium or machine readable form, nor transmitted or publicly performed by any means, electronic or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher and Peter K. Studner.

Super Job Search and SuperJobSearch.com are registered trademarks ®

Although the author and publisher have exhaustively researched all sources to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in this manual, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any other inconsistency herein. Any slights against people or organizations are unintentional.

This publication is designed to provide information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that neither the author nor the publisher is engaged in rendering legal, accounting, employment procurement, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Published by JAMENAIR LTD.

Post Office Box 241957

Los Angeles, California 90024-9757 U.S.A.

E-mail: Jamenair@pobox.com

Super Job Search IV®

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014914022

ISBN 978-0-938667-08-7

Fourth Edition

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

Dedication

For Rhonda Kuulei Sherburn—Ma joie de vivre

Special Thanks

I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by talented people who contributed their skills in the writing and production of this completely revised fourth edition. First and foremost, my thanks to Lynette Padwa, editor in chief. Lynette’s skills at researching and editing are phenomenal and her tenacity and patience were so much appreciated. Next has been the outstanding line editing and coding by Rena J. Copperman and incredible design work by Tanya Maiboroda. Thanks to Richard Sherer, whose critical eye and terrific resources were helpful both for this edition and previous ones. A special thank you to Flo Selfman, an extraordinary eagle-eyed proofreader, and Nikki Hensley for her fantastic indexing assistance. Thank you to Leslie Sobol, CPA, for making sure that the tables and budget worksheets conformed to good accounting practices. A huge thank you to my friend Colby Palmer who guided my hand when technology had me stymied in developing SuperJobSearch.com and the superjobsearch app. A huge thanks to another great friend, Alfred Landegger, employment attorney extraordinaire, for all his contributions—in particular, his guidance on employment law and consulting contracts. A great thank you to Scott Pollack for his fantastic artistic talent. A very special thanks to SCORE.org and its C.E.O., Kenneth Yancey, for making available forms and information found in Part III, A Business of Your Own, as well as an open invitation to all budding entrepreneurial readers who wish help from SCORE’s national organization.

Lastly, thank you to the many thousands of men and women who have confided their career transitions to me and my associates. Your trials, tribulations, and successes are a continual reminder to me that where there is a will, there will always be a way.

Preface to the Fourth Edition

WHAT IS NEW ABOUT JOB SEARCH, AND WHAT IS TIMELESS? Those are the questions I wanted to answer when I set out to write this major revision of Super Job Search. In the years since the first edition was published, my outplacement firm has guided more than 27,000 job candidates as they transitioned from one position to the next. We have helped these men and women weather recessions and make the most of boom times. Over the years, I have witnessed dramatic changes in the job-search landscape. Some are easy to spot: The Internet has made researching companies and connecting with businesspeople far easier. Technology has made many jobs obsolete. Service jobs are up and manufacturing jobs are dwindling.

The changes that cause the most trouble for job seekers, however, are not so obvious. Two seismic shifts are catching even the sharpest candidates off guard. One is the somewhat diminished importance of the college degree in many fields. What matters today are the skills you possess— the actual know-how. For decades, a degree (almost any degree) was your ticket to landing a job ahead of the competition. While graduate degrees are still required in professions such as medicine, law, and the sciences—and while higher education is a very worthy pursuit—a college degree no longer guarantees you employment. Skills do. This can be a good thing, because in most fields it takes less time to learn a skill than to earn a degree. However, it can be a hard pill to swallow if you’re a young person with a not-very-marketable degree or a person of any age whose field has evolved.

The second dramatic shift is a result of the Internet and social media. Technology has revolutionized job search for the better, but it has changed job candidates for the worse. Why? Because face-to-face networking is the key to getting a good job. That’s a timeless truth about job hunting. And when people conduct most of their job search (and socializing) online, their interpersonal skills wither. Another timeless truth: the interview is where you land the job, so superb interviewing skills are essential. Conducting interviews in person, be it for information, advice, or for a specific position, is the engine that drives a successful job-search campaign—and it is the core approach of this book. Spending too many hours online may undermine your job search even as you pat yourself on the back for being so diligent.

In Super Job Search IV, you will learn how to tap and nurture your most valuable resources— your accomplishments, personal contacts, and online connections. You will evaluate your current financial situation and make rational and informed decisions about your financial requirements. You’ll do an in-depth assessment of the skills you have and those you might need to acquire. You’ll learn which job ads to answer and the most effective way to answer them, as well as which ads to ignore. We will teach you the pros and cons of executive recruiters, employment agencies, and temporary jobs. We’ll show you how to develop a customized online research strategy that will fuel your campaign without taking up all your time.

With your research plan in place, we’ll teach you how to market yourself online, over the phone, and in person. Building an ever-expanding network of people who know about your availability is the fastest way to land a job—perhaps one that has not yet been publicly posted. It is also a lot more fun and enlightening to be out meeting people than it is to sit at your desk answering ads.

The most qualified people do not always get the best jobs, but outstanding candidates always get the best offers. Super Job Search IV is designed to make you into an outstanding candidate so you can claim the job of your dreams. This is how the pros go about job change. All you have to do is follow the steps. But before you begin reading, I invite you to consider the larger picture. Take a few moments to contemplate these questions. Your answers will provide insights for setting your real goals.

My life’s purpose is . . .

My purpose in my relationships is . . .

My career purpose is . . .

My definition of success is . . .

When I write my goals, I always include . . .

The qualities I admire most in my friends include . . .

What I like most about myself includes . . .

If I could snap my fingers and add some qualities to my personality right now, they would be . . .

When I leave this planet, I would like to be remembered for . . .

In the good and the bad times of my life, I have always been sustained by . . .

With these thoughts in mind, you are ready to turn yourself into a super candidate. It may be that after doing the work in this book, you decide that what you really want is to start your own business. If so, Part III: A Business of Your Own will show you how to research an idea, write a business plan, arrange financing, and put together your own website. We’ll also introduce you to executive business counselors from SCORE who are eager to assist you (at no charge).

Super Job Search IV is supported by superjobsearch.com (and the superjobsearch app). There you can find updates for the resources mentioned in these pages, along with additional job search information, contacts, and job leads from around the world.

As you read this book and do the exercises, know that the discoveries you make will alter the course of your career and your life. Super Job Search IV is an open door—let’s walk through it together and get to work!

Peter K. Studner

Los Angeles, 2015

JOB HUNTING HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR MIND, BODY, AND SOUL. SINCE THE recession of 2007-2009, it has become downright scary for many people. Despite the fact that a number of industries are thriving, economic uncertainty hangs in the air and dominates the headlines. That makes it hard to confidently plan for the future, yet plan you must, because you still have to make a living. Regardless of how the economy is doing this year or next, if you follow our program, you’ll be far ahead of the competition.

Super Job Search IV is based on a simple principle: The most qualified people do not always get the best jobs, but outstanding candidates always get the best offers. This book is all about making you into an outstanding candidate. The most qualified people, even those with impressive degrees and years of experience, don’t always know how to market themselves. Self-marketing, from your first contact to your final salary negotiation and beyond, is what you’ll learn in Super Job Search IV. And it works. This approach has been validated by the more than 27,000 job seekers my firm has successfully counseled, and by the 300,000 people who bought the first three editions of this book.

There’s no mystery to getting a job. The keys to every job search are the skills you bring to it and the way you present yourself and your accomplishments to potential employers. Finding a new job doesn’t have to be painful, intimidating, or overwhelming. Even the personal interview, the source of anguish for so many job seekers, becomes easier when you realize that most interviewers are not very good at interviewing. This book will teach you how to take control of an interview and communicate the information about yourself that will lead to an offer. You don’t need to be an extrovert or a natural salesperson; you just need to follow the steps in this book, practice, and move forward.

In your search for employment, you and I are going to be partners. My role is to impart as much knowledge as I can, based on my many years counseling job seekers and on the wisdom I have gleaned from thousands of clients. Your role is to be committed to yourself and this program. Super Job Search IV will require a lot of effort on your part, but soon you’ll find yourself invigor ated by the process and surprised by the positive effect it has on your outlook.

In the beginning, however, some of my clients balk at the number of hours I ask them to spend on their search. When they claim that they don’t have the time, I ask, How much do you expect to be paid?

$5,000 a month, they may reply.

That’s $60,000 a year. How many years do you expect to work at your next job?

Maybe five years.

That’s $300,000. You’re probably going to have some raises along the way, which brings it up to half a million. And it’s going to cost the company another 25 percent for your benefits. So we’re talking about a $750,000 project here. You’re not looking to get $5,000, you’re trying to sell a $750,000 project. Do you think that can be done casually, in two hours a day? Consider a real estate agent in a tough market, trying to sell a $750,000 home. Think about how many hours he/she has to sit in that home on weekends, how many prospective buyers he has to call, and how many people he has to show that home to before someone buys it. That’s exactly the kind of commitment it takes to get a good job.

Most people have spent more time planning vacations than working on their careers. If you’re willing to devote that level of passion and energy to your job search, the results will amaze you.

Today’s Job Search: New Challenges, Infinite Possibilities

The methods employers use to fill positions have dramatically changed over the past decade. Job postings appear on websites in nanoseconds and often seem to be filled just as quickly. Executive search companies have instant access to candidates across the globe via the Internet, so the pool of applicants is much broader than it used to be. Temporary employment agencies have become a portal to full-time positions much more than they were in the past. In most fields it’s a buyer’s market, and employers are not willing to commit unless they’re 100 percent confident about a candidate. It’s not uncommon for an applicant to work on a contract basis for 12 to 18 months before being hired as a full-time employee.

In the face of these developments, the process of seeking work, connecting with potential employers, and getting hired has evolved. Certain skills and strategies are timeless—the telephone call is still an essential element of any job search, and core elements of the personal interview techniques in this book are similar to the ones offered in the first edition of Super Job Search. But the Internet and social networks have radically altered the way job hunting is conducted, mostly for the better. If you’re returning to the job market after an absence of a few years, you’ll be surprised to find that there are infinitely more resources at your disposal for ferreting out information about companies, occupations, and job openings, including those that have not yet been advertised. In Super Job Search IV, we will explore all these strategies and techniques, including:

Protocols for finding jobs that align with your skills, in growth industries with solid products or services

Time-saving links to help you research companies, careers, and job leads

Detailed instruction in the art of networking, including using social networks

In-depth advice on interviewing and salary negotiation

A comprehensive section on starting your own business, should your research and self-evaluation suggest that this is a good option for you

Preparing to Look for a Job

There are always jobs waiting to be filled. For proof, check out the following chart, which lists a recent sampling of job openings across the United States. Note that while there are lots of positions in healthcare, diamond cutters may not be able to rely on published ads. Does this mean that unemployed diamond cutters should give up looking for work? Absolutely not. It just means that they’ll need to be industrious and ferret out leads in the hidden job market—positions that are never publicly advertised and are sometimes created for one specific skill. This book will show you how to successfully approach the hidden job market, where you might be the only candidate.

No matter what your field or desired position, every candidate must go through the following preliminary job-search steps.

Step 1. Assess Your Finances

Before you do anything else, you need to tally your income, assets, and expenses, and use that information to identify your burn rate. Your income and reserves will determine how much time you have to find new employment before you’re forced to make major changes in your lifestyle. Later in this chapter we’ll guide you through this process.

Step 2. Identify the Skills You Want to Sell to Your Future Employer

Like any salesperson, you must know your products (your skills) and learn the art of communicating them convincingly to potential customers (employers). Throughout Super Job Search IV, you’ll learn the art of self-marketing. But before you can, you must take an inventory of your skills. The exercises in Step 2: Accomplishments will show you how.

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Put Down the Phone—for Now

If you’ve just lost your job, resist the urge to quickly update an old resume and start calling everyone you know to ask about jobs or referrals. Why waste a good contact with a mediocre resume, ineffective cover letter, or unprepared interview? Before you call anyone, learn the techniques of a great job search and how to construct your best resume, cover letters, and approach.

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Step 3. Sharpen Your Skills

Many people have not had any job-related skill training in a long time, if ever. If this is you, don’t be in a hurry to jump into the job market. Your campaign deserves preparation. The better your qualifications, the more potential you have to secure a good job. This book will steer you to schools or training courses in your area or to online courses that may be accessed from anywhere. Many more links can be found at SuperJobSearch.com>For Job Seekers>Research>Valuable Resources (http://www.superjobsearch.com/html/favsites2.html).

Step 4. Confirm That the Job You Want Exists in the Geographic Area You Desire

Nothing is more frustrating than looking for employment when it no longer exists. Experts predict that over the long term, the number of manufacturing jobs will keep decreasing while service jobs will be increasing. Occupations with the largest numeric growth are projected to be those in healthcare, education, technology, and various forms of customer service. Among the top 20 declining occupations, eleven are in production and seven are office and administrative support staff. Technology has deeply impacted both of these areas, whether it is machines that perform manufacturing functions or computer programs that make administrative tasks obsolete.

Step 1: Assessment will help you determine the likelihood of finding a particular job in the area you prefer. Assuming your skills are up-to-date but your job has been moved out of your area, you may have to consider relocating with your family to where the work is. If your partner has a secure position and your only option is a contract or short-term position away from home, you may have to think about temporarily separating. Uprooting children from school or leaving friends and family can be painful, and you may need to make some very difficult decisions. But economic survival should be one of your first priorities.

Of course, you can consider getting into a new field, but your chances of duplicating a former salary will be severely reduced unless you can acquire the right skills and experience. However, if jobs like yours are dwindling across the country, you may have no choice but to transfer existing skills into a new industry or job category. Step 1: Assessment offers advice on this topic.

Every Job Seeker Needs a Headquarters, a Computer, and a Smartphone

Your job search will require a computer, printer, file cabinet, and quiet: when you are making jobrelated phone calls there should be no shouting children or television noise in the background. Ideally, there is a room or corner in your home where you can set up an office space that the rest of the family will respect as a place of work. The public library is a good option for escaping household distractions, but you can’t make phone calls from there. Discuss your needs with your family or roommates and let them know the hours you are most likely to be contacting people. If peace and quiet are hard to come by in your house, perhaps a friend who works during the day will allow you to borrow his or her home to make your calls.

If you don’t have a computer, you will need to buy or rent one. Most computer stores have lease-to-buy options. Tablet computers can be relatively inexpensive, as are some laptops. As a last resort, you can use the computer at the library, but not having one at home will make your job search much more difficult.

Before buying a computer, read PC or Mac magazines to compare features, models, and prices. PC World is a good resource. Friends and relatives can also give you feedback on their computers. Check the Internet for reviews of models that interest you—the reviews can provide information about the company as well as problems users have encountered. There are plenty of places to find reviews, so look at more than one source.

A smartphone is a crucial tool for the job seeker. In addition to its use as a cell phone, it allows you access to the Internet from almost any location. With a smartphone you can:

Get directions to any location via free GPS (global positioning system)

Use Google

Get your e-mail

Send text messages

Access a database of your contacts and appointments

Use any of the thousands of apps (applications) that have been developed to help you in your job search

Store photos, music, and more

Smartphones can be obtained for free or a very low price if you accept a service contract. There are lots of options—consult a knowledgeable friend, investigate online, or visit a provider store to learn more.

Going Public with Your Job Search

College graduates who are entering the job market for the first time have no problem announcing to the world that they’re looking for work. The same goes for people who have left the working world voluntarily, for instance to raise children. But what if you lost your job—what do you tell your family and friends? Tell them the truth. You have been let go and are putting together your action plan and resume. No need to go into detail; just offer a brief account of the circumstances and emphasize what you’re doing about it. Their attitude will depend on yours. You have nothing to be ashamed of—the highest and mightiest have been fired from good jobs. But do not ask anything of other people until you have read this book. Then you’ll know what to ask.

When you get moving on your job search, leave all critics behind. There can be no defeatists in a successful job-search program. You’re going to get resituated—that is a fact. How soon and in what job depends on you. Meanwhile, it’s important to keep your spirits up and not give in to depression. The following tips will help:

Keep in good physical shape with regular exercise. If possible, get a complete physical exam while you’re still covered under your employer’s health insurance. If you have been playing tennis or another sport regularly, keep it up. If you’ve neglected your health, now is a good time to pay attention to it. There are endless ways to get exercise. Just try to select something you actually enjoy, be it a brisk walk with a friend, a team sport, or a few hours a week at the local gym. It’s well known that regular exercise is good to combat depression.

Find someone to talk with regularly. It’s helpful to discuss your meetings and progress as you go along. Feedback is important, and exchanging experiences will make your search easier and more productive.

Get enough sleep and nourish your body. Some people try to save money by skimping on food. That is both foolish and counterproductive. Any doctor will tell you that skipping meals or cutting back on essentials in your diet can contribute to depression and even lead to illness. So be smart: give your body what it needs during your job search and beyond.

Maintain a social life. During this time of transition, it is crucial to keep up your friendships. You will regularly need to give your brain a rest from all the planning, and nothing replenishes your mind and spirit as well as spending time with friends. They will also contribute to your program, as you will see.

Avail yourself of the many free or low-cost functions in your town. Check out events at public libraries, community colleges and theaters, public parks, and other public venues. Every city has websites that will steer you to these events. If your nose has been to the grindstone at the office for many years, you will be surprised at how much diversion is to be had for very little money.

Devote time to your job search every day! No one can promise you a job, but if you sustain your search, you’ll be surprised and encouraged by the results.

Outsmarting Anger

In addition to the skills and strategies you need to find a job, this book will teach you how to avoid the pitfalls that can turn job-seeking into a soul-wrenching ordeal. The most insidious of these is anger.

Most people who are out of work are angry about it. Older people are angry because they may have had only a few years left before retirement when they got laid off, and now they’re having a hard time finding another job because their skills are not current. There is also ageism to contend with, even if your skills are up-to-date. People of all ages who have lost their jobs may be angry with their former employer, the economy, Wall Street bankers, or the government. Often people are angry with themselves for not being among the survivors, if anyone was retained at their company. College graduates may be shocked and upset at the lack of jobs in their field.

Regardless of why you find yourself out of work, you must let go of your anger and resentment. These emotions can cloud your mind and drain you of the energy you need to conduct your search. What’s worse, other people can sense the anger and will want to stay away from you. Anger sends the message that you feel like a loser. By the same token, when you feel as if you’re going to win, you send that message, and you do win. The trick, then, is learning how to manage your negative feelings so that when you’re networking or interviewing or making calls, a genuinely positive version of yourself shines through.

The best way to deal with anger, self-doubt, and all the other negative feelings is to talk to someone about them. If your company has paid for outplacement, use your counselor to vent your frustration. If a counselor isn’t available, discuss your feelings with a close friend or relative or perhaps pay for a few sessions with a private therapist. Many healthcare plans include a certain number of therapy sessions, so if you think you might want that sort of support, take advantage of the coverage while you still have it.

State career centers are also good places to find people to talk to and let off steam with. These facilities have all sorts of resources for unemployed people, and you’ll probably find kindred souls there. However, don’t vent negative feelings with people who are trying to help you professionally. That includes career counselors at this or any job center.

Other options to help you stay calm, focused, and positive during this period:

Do the exercises in this book. Assessing your accomplishments will do wonders for your self-esteem.

Once you have your resume in hand and your strategy in mind, the best thing for your mood is to get out and meet people.

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Should You Sue Your Employer for Firing You?

Some people use litigation to vent their anger at being let go. If there’s a legitimate case, a lawsuit is always an option. But think carefully before you choose that route. You may need your employer’s cooperation in your job search. Consider how this reference sounds: Oh, yes. John. You know, he’s suing the company over his discharge. Be prepared for this kind of remark or temper your litigious urges. An out-of-court settlement might bring you some financial and emotional satisfaction and also assure you of a good reference.

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Activity will take your mind off yourself and keep you from getting bored. Instead of watching TV all night, why not go out and help somebody? It’s an open secret among people who do a lot of volunteering that they really do it for themselves—it’s that satisfying. Your local public school, community center, or house of worship all are good places to look for volunteering opportunities. What goes around comes around!

Talk to people who are not going to be judgmental but will not be too soft on you, either— people who will say, Yeah, it’s tough. But you have the moral fiber to do this.

Remember, there is a job out there waiting for you. You have to find it. In order to find it, you must be prepared, so that when you are standing in front of the opportunity, you can seize it. This book will prepare you.

The attitude you need to bring to this job search is a little bit like playing golf. Every pro golfer will tell you that when you stand in front of your golf ball, you must relax all your muscles. If you try to hit the