The Harvard Business School Guide to Finding Your Next Job

Landing a new job is hard work. Robert Gardella, assistant director of Alumni Career Services at Harvard Business School, believes it also "is one of the most important things that professionals do" today, as changing times and increasing opportunities mean "they are doing it much more frequently." In The Harvard Business School Guide to Finding Your Next Job, he lays out a complete program that should expedite the process no matter what your situation. After acknowledging the many intellectual and emotional considerations involved, and conceding "there are few absolutes" because the process "is an art, not a science," Gardella describes a concrete but flexible program for building a reference base, preparing résumés and cover letters, formulating strategies to locate appropriate openings, handling interviews, and negotiating offers. Among his key tips: Fully inventory your skills, interests, and experiences before you begin; draw up a list of specific, related accomplishments that can be quantified on your résumé and stressed in your interviews; and develop associated networking systems--which ultimately are responsible for two out of every three job offers--by, in part, volunteering reciprocal information and referrals to those who help you. --Howard Rothman