The changing of careers, whether self-initiated or forced upon you, is something that we will all eventually go through and potentially is one of the most trying times of lifes journey. This workbook has been developed to help you manage your job loss or change or transition and assist you in every stage of the process. It provides you with a systematic approach and includes topics on coping with emotions, self-assessment, job-search strategies, rsum writing, cover-letter writing, and effective interview skills, as well as activities to cement the theory. Remember, change is inevitable, but with change comes opportunity. So now is the time to take control of your career transition, to review and evaluate your current situation, and to make that change.

“A no-holds-barred view of career management in a turbulent world . . . provides a reality-based perspective that should be of value to all who read [it].” —Len Schlesinger, president emeritus at Babson College, Baker Foundation professor, Harvard Business School In these uncertain times, The Job Search Navigator is a reliable guide to every step of the twenty-first–century job hunt, whether readers are laid off, wanting to change careers after surviving cutbacks, or seeking a better full-time gig in a stagnant marketplace. Author Matt Durfee writes from the perspective of someone who has both recruited for some of America’s biggest companies and navigated his way through nine of his own job losses. The book combines practical real-world perspectives with the technical knowledge job seekers need in order to excel at every aspect of their searches. Drawing on the knowledge Durfee accumulated through his own experiences, searches, and big-brand corporate hiring responsibilities, The Job Search Navigator abandons the “clinical approach” of many other career-advice books. Instead, Durfee gives easy-to-follow strategies and, perhaps more importantly, recounts in illuminating detail the kinds of mistakes that led him to develop these strategies. “From the strategic to the emotional to the tactical—this is one of the most practical and useful books on career management I’ve read in a very, very long time.” —L. Kevin Cox, chief human resources officer, American Express Company “Matt’s expertise in this space is unmatched. We live in a world where constant reinvention is the rule and The Job Search Navigator is essential reading for those who want to take control of their career trajectory.” —Scott Westerman, executive director & associate vice president for alumni relations, Michigan State University

Steve Thomas by 31 had already logged more than 30,000 blue-water miles as a skipper before setting out to study Micronesian navigation. He is currently the host of Renovation Nation on Planet Green.

Where do you see yourself five years from now? It’s important to consider where you want to go on your career journey, whether you’re currently in the job market or not. Mapping out a plan for your professional life will help you stay abreast of changes in your field and identify any tune-ups that might be necessary. This TD at Work will help you to: • Recognize what you have to offer employers. • Clarify your preferred skills and work environment. • Refine your career aspirations. • Evaluate your strengths and identify any gaps.• Develop an action plan.