Explore Chapters

Section I: Knowing What You Really Want

1. Taking Your First Steps

   1. Why You Need a Road Map to Make Your Search Smarter

2. Understanding Why You Work – Self Assessment

   1. Introduction
   2. Confronting Your Emotions
   3. Define Your Personal, Professional, and Financial Job Requirements
   4. Defining Your Deal Breakers

3. Building Your Campaign Plan

   1. Introduction
   2. The SMARTer Approach
   3. Time Management
   4. Preparing Your Campaign Plan

Section II: Checking Out the Possibilities

4. How to Research to Win

   1. Research: Keywords, Industries, and Jobs
   2. Formal Research
   3. Informal Research

5. The Art of Networking

   1. Introduction
   2. Using LinkedIn
   3. Creating Your LinkedIn Profile
   4. Engage LinkedIn Groups
   5. Utilize Other Social Media Networks
   6. Attend Conferences and Trade Association Events
   7. Build Your network
   8. Request and Share Letters of Recommendation

6. Education and Learning

   1. Introduction
   2. Increasing your Skills

Section III: Getting the Job

7. Creating Campaign Collateral

   1. Introduction
   2. Developing Your Elevator Pitch
   3. Business Cards
   4. Writing Conventional and SMARTer Resumes
   5. Writing Conventional and SMARTer Cover Letters
   6. Preparing Your Portfolio
   7. Ways to Follow-Up

8. How to Tell Your Story to Be Outstanding

   1. Why Tell Stories
   2. Adding Emotion
   3. Elements of a Short Story
   4. Tips for Storytelling
   5. Stories for Typical Interview Questions
   6. Other Storytelling Considerations

9. Preparing for the Interview

   1. Introduction
   2. Research the company
   3. Preparing for the Job Interview
   4. Common Interview Questions
   5. Preparing Your Appearance
   6. Assemble a Portfolio

10. You in the Interview

    1. Introduction
    2. What Your Posture Reveals
    3. Managing Trick Questions
    4. The Interview Process
    5. Concluding the Interview
    6. The Power of Follow-up

11. SMARTer Job Seeking Over 50

    1. Introduction
    2. Negative Challenges
    3. Advantages of Experience
    4. Preparation for the Interview
    5. Appearance Matters

12. Other Job Considerations

    1. Introduction
    2. Hybrid work
    3. Consulting Work
    4. Internships
    5. The 6-Figure Job Search
    6. Recruiters and Placement Agents
    7. Freelance

13. Military Retirees and Spouses

    1. Introduction
    2. Civilian Positions
    3. Mental and Physical Health
    4. Jobs for Veterans
    5. Veteran’s Resumes and Cover Letters Considerations
    6. Preparing for your Interviews
    7. Job ideas for Veterans’ spouses and others
       1. Web Design
       2. Writing Support
       3. Writing
       4. Translation
       5. Virtual Assistant
       6. Platforms that offer home-based freelance jobs
       7. Avoiding Scams and Dead Ends

14. What to Do When You Get the Job!

    1. Introduction
    2. Negotiating Salary and Other Compensation
    3. Departing from your Existing Company
    4. Thank Your Contacts
    5. Why Take a Break
    6. Getting Ready for the New Job

15. Positioning Yourself in Today’s Job Market

    1. Benefit from Knowing Employer/Employee Challenges
    2. The Great Reset
    3. The Great Resignation
    4. The Skills Shortage
    5. The Gap
    6. Understanding Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

16. You have Choices

17. User Experience

    1. Introduction
    2. Andy H
    3. Kelly B
    4. Jessica G

18. Sources