Landing on the Right Side of Your Ass: A Survival Guide for the Recently Unemployed

by Michael Laskoff

Job hunting is a different ballgame when you’re holding a pink slip instead of a brand-new college diploma. In Landing on the Right Side of Your Ass , Michael B. Laskoff—a Harvard M.B.A. who has flown high and flamed out more than once—offers essential advice for those of us who have recently been laid off, restructured, or plain ol’ fired. A tell-it-like-it-is bible of “reemployment,” it tackles both the practical and the emotional issues of job loss.

Because he’s not an academic, a recruiter, or a human resources professional, Laskoff has no ax to grind, no philosophy to peddle, and no corporate ideology to support. He’s been through the job-loss/job-search drill more than once, and since he consistently has gone on to do better in terms of compensation, responsibility, and job satisfaction, he’s the perfect ex-employee to share with you some hard-won wisdom, such

•How long to wait before launching yourself into the job arena
•How to channel anger, fear, and revenge fantasies into useful job-search tactics
•How to snag recommendations (and compensation) from ex-bosses
•How to determine your interviewers’ hiring problems and then present yourself as the solution

Whether you’re concerned about the emotional issues of unemployment (from denial and depression to anger and acceptance) or are looking for invaluable nuts-and-bolts advice (what to say about your ex-employer in an interview, how to handle financial issues, and what on earth you should do with all that free time between jobs), Landing on the Right Side of Your Ass is a straight-up, no-chaser survival guide for picking yourself up, getting back out there again, and winding up with a job that’s better than the one you lost.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 6, 2004

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came across this book in the library exactly one week after losing a job. The title alone was enough to make me pull the book off the shelf, but when I saw that the subtitle was -- "A Survival Guide for the Recently Unemployed" -- I thought, "Well, that sure is me! And I could use some advice on how to land on the right side of my you-know-what."

I read half of this engaging how-to book right there in the library. I couldn't put it down. Author Michael Laskoff uses irreverent humor (almost like that of the Motley Fool investment books, but slightly edgier) to deliver his very practical, sound, time-tested advice on how to survive -- and bounce back from -- "employment separation."

In this book, you'll find realistic, can-do methods of handling the news of your sacking, how to deal with the emotions it engenders, how to break the news to your loved ones, what to do in the first few days after being fired (hint: have fun!), how to organize a daily schedule for your unemployed self, and how to reenter the workforce -- from writing a resume and cover letter, to conducting initial research and networking, right on up through negotiating a job offer.

The chapter on networking was especially helpful to me. When I reached that point and saw the kind of information Laskoff was offering, I decided to check the book out of the library and take it home. Nothing else I've ever read or heard has spelled out networking so completely and made it sound like something you, me, anybody -- the shyest person you know -- can truly do. Laskoff tells you exactly how to go about it. No mystery whatsoever.

The engaging voice and great information is marred only by the dreadful copyediting job somebody did (or, perhaps more correctly, didn't do) on this book. Misspellings, errors in usage and style inconsistencies plague the text. Surely Three Rivers Press, which is a division of Crown -- which is a division of Random House! -- can do better.

[Barry Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subtitled “A survival guide for the recently unemployed. As the title implies, this book is a compilation of “street smart” advice for the job seeker. His language is a bit coarse (not profane), but the advice is pretty solid, no-nonsense. He has no “axe to grind,” is not a headhunter, counselor or HR person, just a graduate of Harvard Business School who has lost a number of positions, made significant changes and managed to move up to a better situation each time.
His advice ranges from dealing with the loss process (who to blame, etc.) through seeking support, preparing for and writing the resume, networking and interviewing (describes the basic types, some very solid advice here), as well as making the decision to accept the position and negotiating your agreement. There are a number of solid suggestions throughout the book with each topic quickly reviewed as small bullet paragraphs.
Much of his advice mirrors our recommendations – a resume is a marketing piece, learn how to help people help you, don’t rush out and get a new job, etc., with his personal faux pas to help support the better methods. By his own admission, most of what he has learned is really through the School of Hard Knocks, not Harvard!

[Gina Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laskoff tells it like it is. I didn't read every word on every page, but the sections I was drawn to read were spot on helpful. The book was precisely what I needed in a brief moment of panic. From there the world opened up several amazing opportunities. Life is good--as is the book.

[Gretzky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

funny. straight-up. not just for those who've been fired, but also for those who are wondering what to do with their lives next. (like me:) )

[Ray Charbonneau · Rating 3 out of 5]

More entertaining than most job search books, but not all that much new. Nice emphasis on reminding reader that it's better to wait for the right job if possible.

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couple of upsetting homonym abuses (such as "peaked my interest") but overall quite amusing (I LOLd), well-written and a helpful read.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

snarky...