Today’s Wall Street Journal reviewed a book Rebound, by Martha Finney. Go here to find it on Amazon. Finney puts together a manual of advice for those who have been laid off.
Even better, I would read it even if you’re concerned. Some of her advice involves how to leave gracefully. She includes a scary warning from a lawyer: Raised voices can be interpreted as “workplace violence,” leading to termination for cause with no severance.
But apart from the recommendation, I applaud the WSJ for finally saying what a lot of us have been thinking for a long time.
It’s time to retire What Color Is Your Parachute. The book’s advice was new and fresh when it was first published. Today, everybody knows they’re supposed to network.
In fact, following the Praachute plan can be hazardous to your career change. Back when the book first appeared, maybe executives really did have time on their hands. Maybe they welcomed a call “just for advice.”
Today’s execs are too busy for info interviews. They get half a dozen requests a week for advice. Experienced career advisors now say, “Don’t try cold-calling for informational interviews. Network to get a referral. You need to say, ‘Jane Jones suggested I call you…’ and hope your target actually remembers Jane fondly.”
Worse, career changers often target self-employed professionals for informational interviews. Those who sell their time are not candidates for free information.
So try this book. Let me know what you think. http://budurl.com/reboundcareers
