The New Rites of Passage at $100,000 +: The Insider's Lifetime Guide to Executive Job-Changing and Faster Career Progress [Large Print]

I have to agree with the superlatives laden on this book. One hallmark of its value is that's it's hard to summarize - you get something from all the 20 chapters and 300 pages. Particularly valuable are the insights into the complex interlocking strategies of firms, recruiters, and jobseekers - thought-provoking (but hardly beach reading) even if you're not jobhunting this year. Lucht is opinionated but savvy. I found this book far more valuable than its...cost.

After 10 months of being an unemployed executive, I stumbled across this book. I wish someone had told me the 2 truths I am about to tell you! If you are an executive, do not -under any circumstances- contact a recruiter without reading this book. Secondly, do not -under any circumstances- post your resume on the Web without studying the chapter about the Internet. Let's face it, as an execuitve, it's sometimes feasible to sneak by pretending to know more than you do. But when it comes to getting your next job, what you don't know is detrimental. And all of the typical "get a better job" books don't cater to executives. Trust me, the time to get educated about the world of recruiting and executive level job changing is while you are still employed. And the place to get educated is Rites of Passage. Then just when you think you've gotten all possible benefit from the book, it's time to visit Lucht's Website, RiteSite.com for more. P.S. If you hadn't guessed, I credit using Rites of Passage and the Recruiter lists I downloaded from it's Website with helping me land my new job!

First published in 1988 and then continuously updated since (for obvious reasons), this book really does provide what its subtitle promises: "The insider's lifetime guide to executive job-changing and faster career progress." Lucht organizes his material within 20 chapters which are sequenced in logical order, from "The Person in Charge" which explains how to manage one's career from college to retirement to "Expand Your Career by Expanding Yourself" in which Lucht provides excellent advice on how to establish and then nourish a wide and deep network of contacts. The reader is also provided with three appendices: "Behind the Scenes with the retainer Executive Recruiter", "Outstanding Retainer Executive Recruiters", and . "Sources of Information for a Job Search." The greatest value of the book is derived from Lucht"s advice, not from any sources to which he refers his reader, valuable though they certainly are. The key is to know which information is needed, why, and how to use it most effectively. I wish this book were available after I completed my formal education. I also regret that I was unaware of Lucht's insights and suggestions when making several major career decisions of my own. For those who are contacted by a recruiter or for others who fear that their career is lacking focus and direction, Lucht can be an invaluable advisor. Many of us play golf, a game which has quite specific rules as well as generally accepted etiquette. Managing a career is really no different but many people do not know -- or least understand -- the rules and etiquette. Most professional golfers have a "swing doctor." I view Lucht as serving essentially the same purpose for business executives. Professional golfers vary in terms of their size, strength, "tournament tested" competition, athleticism, judgment, self-control, and commitment. The same is true of business executives. Therefore, it remains for each reader to complete a rigorous self-audit. Identify strengths and weaknesses. Set bold but realistic career objectives. Then select an appropriate combination of ideas, strategies, and tactics from among the abundance of material which Lucht so generously shares. This is not a "job-hunting manual." Rather, a comprehensive and cohesive guide to nourishing one's career by nourishing, in the process, one's self.

If you only read one book that will help you manage your career this is the one. John's communication style makes it a quick read with real life examples of what the recruiter, employer, and the job seeker are thinking. It will provide you with the tools necessary to prepare for and get the job your seeking and fullfill your career aspirations.

This is a complete revision of what was already by far the best book in the field. I know. I bought the original about 10 years ago. I also bought the prior complete revision of about 5 or 6 years ago. The others were excellent, but this one-"Rites of Passage at $100,000 to $1 Million +"- puts the others in the shade. Now, for the first time, it also covers the Internet as an executive career development tool. Today, if used knowingly, the Web can safely bring huge advantages. I find this book (like its predecessors) to be the quintessential guide to taking charge and managing one's career. Whether you are currently unemployed, employed but itching for something better, or you're just scanning the marketplace, this book is unlike any other I've seen. It is a reference guide, a "how-to" manual, and a collection of practical tactics and strategies to help you avoid common and potentially devastating pitfalls. This new edition's focus on the Internet and technology is superb. Knowledge of current technology, such as email and web-site navigation, has become table stakes in business today. Regardless of what your resume states, your actions can speak much louder to convey your true abilities. This new book provides a road map to safely using the Internet to save you lots of time and effort. Meanwhile, it also expands the proven inside information (from a top headhunter) on resume preparation, networking, interviewing, managing recruiters, and personal organization in the previous versions. As professionals, we get no classes in career management. We are left to learn these concepts on our own. "Rites of Passage at $100,000 to $1 Million +" is the only reference book I feel I can trust for this critical self-study course. Plus it's subtly humorous and fun to read.Walter W. Winkel III Director of Corporate Acquisitions & General Counsel, Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.