Rites of Passage at $100,000 to $1 Million+: Your Insider's Lifetime Guide to Executive Job-Changing and Faster Career Progress in the 21st Century Hardcover – January 1, 2001

John Lucht has been a recruiter for 30 years and has been writing executive guides for nearly as long. You need to get this edition as he has thoroughly updated his material to explain rules, procedures, and protocols for job-hunting on the Internet.I was an unemployed executive for nearly a year before landing my current position and Lucht's book is the roadmap for any similar journey. He has insightful sections on resumes, cover letters, severance negotiations, outplacement, networking, references, as well as the better known how-to-guide for dealing with all stripes of recruiters.Don't get hung-up on the title. While Lucht is most familiar with recruiting at the C-level, most of this applies equally well for managers, directors, and experienced professionals. The only criticism I have is that Lucht is focused on job-hunting in strong markets, and needs more analysis of today's humbling markets. He is fairly critical of the typical outplacement service that considers it a success when they place laid-off software executives as owner-operators of ice cream parlors and coffee shops and franchisees of muffler and transmission repair stores.Lucht also thoughtfully debunks a lot of media myths about finding work without a resume or a network. His promotion of direct mail as a marketing tool sounds old-fashioned but it works if you understand that less than 1% of your mail will yield leads, but these are likely leads that would not have been otherwise obtained. Lucht also has built a useful website and avoids the high fees and endless cross-promotions that his competitors favor.

This is by far the best job-hunting book available.As a retained executive search consultant, I constantly deal with people who are looking for work, and am dismayed at how poorly most people do so. Lucht's book will change your mindset on job-hunting. He reminds you to use all of the major job-hunting techniques, including networking, direct mail, recruiters, and want ads, and teaches you new techniques for doing each one of these. He also has a chapter on how to be interviewed that is easily worth what you'll pay for the book.I first read the book long before I moved into executive search and was able ti use the techniques described in it to develop a number of job offers.In addition, the book is readable and fun; it's obvious that John really cares, and wants the reader to be successful.Some have complained that this book doesn't pay enough attention to internet job boards. It doesn't, because it shouldn't. Job hunters who spend their days probing the internet to find work get disappointed (less than 10% find work through job boards).I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a new job; anyone who plans his job-hunt without reading this book risks selling themselves short, because they'll be missing too many avenues.

The reviewer who wrote to consider the date of the publication, particularly when it comes to technology, was speaking of a version back to 2009 or earlier, so I was sure to wait for the 2014 "NEW Powerful Revision" before purchasing this book. Imagine my surprise, then, when I found multiple pages of information on how to find long-lost contacts via people-finder sites on the web. First this is far from an "insider" fact, second, those sites rarely provide any info without paying for it, and third, where the heck is reference to LinkedIN? Oh, I finally found it at the end of 8 pages on how to find someone on one of dozens of people-finder sites...2 small paragraphs that make LinkedIN sound like an afterthought not necessarily worth one's time. Ridiculous! I've found anyone I've ever worked for/with that I wanted to find - no white page searches required - on LinkedIN which makes the previous 8 pages wasted space in the book for a number of reasons, and all of us are there for the same reason - business contacts. SO what is new about this version vs. the 2009 hardback I purchased used for a few $$? Seems virtually nothing.Aside from very poor writing style, and a lot of statements of the obvious thus far (e.g. make lists of your contacts), the fact that the most common site for business connections - LinkedIN - was almost completely ignored by this supposed expert, I wonder what else isn't being said and now question the value of spending my time reading this 500+,book? I guess I'll have to settle for more old-school methods of strategic job searching skills from this book - very disappointing.

This book was recommended by a professional recruiter. Overall the book was informative across a wide array of topics that should help in the interviewing process. 80% common sense for the logical professional.

The Rites of Passage belongs on anyone's bookshelf who's interested in actively managing their careers and gain that extra edge. Even if you're not close to $100k, the book gives you valuable insight into that realm. Understanding your boss and your boss' boss will make you a more valuable employee and may advance your career more than you realize.If you are at $100k+ I can't imagine successfully managing your career without Lucht's insight. His decades of experience will help you manage transitions properly and in a proactive manner.My only minor gripes are (1) The typesetting. I have a nagging feeling he did this himself, it could definitely be done better (2)The minor section on usage of the Internet is dated and could be done better. I doubt John had someone appropriate look this over. Still, he earns top rating.Thanks to manager-tools.com for recommending this book.