Practice your exit statement... most all potential employers and networking contacts will want to know your current situation and why you are available.  It is the second most asked question during career transition. However, if the mere mention of your former employer still creates heated feelings of anger or doubt, consider some sage advice... 1) Sit down and compose a letter that you'd love to personally deliver to your former boss... incorporate every bad wish, ask all the unanswered questions.... let yourself go.  Got the letter ready? 

You're ready for the next step... 2) This is done best in a small, private ceremony... TEAR THE LETTER TO SHREDS!  This will be a moment to cherish, it can be quite cathartic.  Its human nature to feel a lot of emotions relative to job loss.  What's NOT OK is to act on those negative emotions.  While it may temporarily feel good to "be human"... professionally, you cannot afford the potential fallout:

• Erosion of your fine reputation.

• Suspicion of wrong doing if anything goes wrong in your area after losing your position.

• What goes around often comes BACK around.

• LITIGATION... enough said!

• A bad reference.

LEARN TO COMMUNICATE YOURSELF IN A MORE FORWARD LOOKING, POSITIVE MANNER... What can you offer as opposed to what have you done... "I learn new things quickly and can use my experience in helping younger workers pick up on the "new solutions." vs. "I may be overqualified, BUT..."

The most asked question during career transition is, "Tell me about yourself."  This is your opportunity to build new bridges... position your abilities and potential.  Appropriate use of your two-minute drill strategies, your "verbal collaterals", is a key ingredient to personal salesmanship. Practice them every chance you get.... they are the fundamental building material of your communication strategy...

• A verbal resume...  A tightly focused, upbeat telling of "your story" told in a high impact two minute format.  With practice, can be easily personalized to your listener.

• An "elevator pitch"...  A succinct summary of your qualifications for a specifically positioned function or opportunity.  With practice, can become quite spontaneous.

• Brag bytes...  Wordcraft various collections of words, phrases and sentences to capture memorable moments or accomplishments--the best you have to offer.  "...saved 80% cost-per-hire..."  Used in MSWord Auto Text Format can be quite efficient when building high impact correspondence as well.

• Personal Portfolio...  Your collection of certificates, pictures, examples of work, reference letters, etc that can bring life and interest (not to mention PROOF) to your story.

>> Candidate EXTRANET        >> KEYS to Career Transition

Bob created his online presence, www.careerpilot.com, in 1994.  He has over twenty years of successful experience in Corporate Recruitment, performance management and Career Management Services.  He is an entrepreneur and innovator in the use of information technology in the recruitment and employment process.  On the Founder's Council of the Association of Career Professionals - International and quite active in their Professional Development, Technology and Chapter Growth initiatives--a frequent speaker at industry conferences and seminars.