The Number One Job Hunting Book in the World

This was my checklist...

# Post my resume on Monster
# Search every (insert expletive of your choice) online job board I could find
# Newspaper Want-ads
# Email Recruiters and all of my contacts for job leads
# Go to Networking Events
# Go to Job Fairs
# Department of Labor Office
# Contact Temp Employment Agencies
# Walk into companies and fill out applications

And the more I did these things, the more frustrated I became because I was not getting the results I needed. I blamed the economy, I blamed others for not recognizing my skills, I shifted the blame to there being too much competition in the workplace and eventually I began to doubt myself. I also tried to laugh at the situation as I considered the irony at the time, me, a recruiter, looking for work.

The turning point for me came about 2 weeks into my job search. I was at the kitchen table with a stack of bills on one side of me and a pile of printed off job descriptions on the other when I said (in jest mind you), "God, something has got to happen and quickly."

And then, a light illuminated my face and angels began to sing and my next job appeared before my eyes. Hah Not really, not even half of that, but dramatic nonetheless. It occurred to me that I was doing the same thing, in the same way as everyone else and getting the same results - no job.

"Do something different," I said out loud, and from that moment on, I did.

It was not uncommon in 2002, to be unemployed for several months before landing a position. Once I changed my job search strategy, I was working in two months. It was a simple thing, really. I took my knowledge of how recruiters act, think and search for talent and reversed engineered the process to my advantage. Not only that, I was determined to not be in that situation again. So, what did I do? Once I found work, I did not stop looking and in a very real way, I positioned myself to perpetually refuse job offers. In this way, I had a type of insurance should the specter of layoffs ever darken my door again. Did it work? Or rather, has it worked since the recession of 2002? Yes.

Although I was laid off (again) in 2008, the season of another recession, I was able to secure a new corporate gig in four months' time. (Although, I did service several clients on a contract basis via my own business in between corporate opportunities.) If that does not sound remarkable to you, then you have been fortunate enough not to have to look for work when the jobless rate was greater than the great depression.

But I digress, my intention is not to brag on my success, but to help you with yours. Why? Simply put, I have not forgotten what it felt like to be without a job for an extended period of time and I don't wish that on anyone.

In "The Number One Job Hunting Book in the World" I share my methods, give tips and offer strategies on how you can find work quickly and stay employed for life.