Richard Bolles wrote 2 best selling books on this subject: The Three Boxes of Life and What Color is Your Parachute and @purplekow has neatly distilled their content four paragraphs. The key is to quickly get over the hurdle of self doubt and get on to a clear-eyed assessment of what are the things you have to offer in the marketplace. As @purplekow found, your chief and most important asset may be the different perspective you bring to a new employer’s problems. I too found that to be true. I went into each interview focusing not on my need for a salary but on what could I learn and possibly share with this individual. That level of communication led to a wider network and ultimately an offer.
Two important words of advice:
- Do not neglect a prompt thank you letter after an interview. A well written letter that refers to topics covered shows how well you can think and communicate. It also shows your willingness to join the staff. And if nothing else it can keep your name in active consideration.
- Acknowledge the fact that you are and will be on an emotional rollercoaster for a while. Some days will be filled with high expectation and following will be days of great despair. Learn to live with both.
Now that I’ve reached the safe shore of retirement I’ve found that some of the more interesting moments in my career were in job searches. Then again there’s a reason that to the Chinese “May you live in interesting times!” is a curse rather than a blessing.
Good Luck.