No matter how focused, determined, positive or jovial you are, there will come a time in this search when depression will raise its ugly head. Everyone experiences it. Depression is often associated with the “dead” time between getting ready for your search and the first interview. It can also arise between interviews and, certainly, at the time you are told that you didn’t get a position for which you applied.

     Whether you are rejected from the interview selection process and really know you are the best-qualified applicant, or for dozens of reasons, legitimate or otherwise, perceived or real, it still hurts and the pain exists. Don't give in!!! Acknowledge the feeling, but take the steps to move on!!

     Any number of things can work against a positive outcome over the course of your job search and knock you out of the running for that “ideal” job. What makes the difference between winners and losers is how you handle this natural phenomenon. Keeping busy is one part of the solution. An old boss of mine, Howard Tullman, always said, “Good enough never is.” How true. There is always something you can do or re-do to improve your situation. Don’t get mad, get busy!

     As I told you earlier, this is a tough business and only the tough and smart survive. Toughness also requires intense dedication and persistence.

     Below, in Exercise 1.2, I have inserted the 25 Rules that my personal clients must follow during the course of their work with me. If you are smart, you will develop and maintain a positive attitude and accept responsibility for your actions as called for in these rules.

     Remember, you are in charge of this search, no one else. MAKE SIX PRINTED COPIES OF THE RULES. Post them in the following locations:

• On the bathroom mirror
• On the refrigerator door
• On your front door
• In your briefcase
• One for your search partner or significant other
• In your 3-ring binder

     Posting a copy on the bathroom mirror, or so near to it that you can’t miss it, ensures that you will see it at least twice daily. While brushing your teeth, read the rules to yourself. What else do you have to do anyway while you are brushing? Then say Rule 25 out loud. Either before or after the mouthwash is OK. When you go to the kitchen for breakfast, a meal or snack, look over the list on the refrigerator.

The rest of this section is available on the CD-ROM and Web versions.