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

I was an unemployed executive for nearly a year before landing my current position and Lucht's book is the roadmap for any similar journey. He has insightful sections on resumes, cover letters, severance negotiations, outplacement, networking, references, as well as the better known how-to-guide for dealing with all stripes of recruiters.

Don't get hung-up on the title. While Lucht is most familiar with recruiting at the C-level, most of this applies equally well for managers, directors, and experienced professionals. The only criticism I have is that Lucht is focused on job-hunting in strong markets, and needs more analysis of today's humbling markets. He is fairly critical of the typical outplacement service that considers it a success when they place laid-off software executives as owner-operators of ice cream parlors and coffee shops and franchisees of muffler and transmission repair stores.

Lucht also thoughtfully debunks a lot of media myths about finding work without a resume or a network. His promotion of direct mail as a marketing tool sounds old-fashioned but it works if you understand that less than 1% of your mail will yield leads, but these are likely leads that would not have been otherwise obtained. Lucht also has built a useful website and avoids the high fees and endless cross-promotions that his competitors favor.


Still the best   September 17, 2002
Tim West (Cincinnati, OH)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I originally read this book ten years ago on the advise of an executive recruiter. It was the best book in the market at the time. Since I am looking to make a career change now, I bought the new addition of the book to see what has changed (internet, etc.). John's book is as relevant now as it was then.

If you buy only one book on changing executive positions make sure that it is this one!


A Proven Commodity!!   March 5, 2002
Rich (DeSoto, TX United States)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

A very wise friend recommended John's first book to me when I was having trouble getting my job search started and was clearly undervaluing myself. Now I recommend John's new book to everyone who is thinking about changing careers. The advise is clear, concise and on target. And...thanks to John's openness we were able to include my resume in his workbook to help those transitioning out of the military. A must read!


Half of the professional's essential career tool kit . . .   March 27, 1999
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

The other half is Yates' "Knock 'em Dead". With these two books a professional can cover the waterfront of a job search and get farther faster. Lucht's ideas may seem unconventional but they really work. The book is worth it even if all you do is read the parts about how recruiters work - it can save you much aggravation and heartache. If you want to get it done, you need these two books, maybe Kennedy's Directory of Executive Recruiters, friends, a Rolodex, an internet link, and that's it. Both of my children will receive this book as an early graduation gift when they are seniors in college,


This book is excellent..! Topical, factual and to the point.   January 9, 1999
RICHARD B. DONDES (East Brunswick, NJ)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

"Rites of Passage" is a superior text for those persons seeking new jobs at $100k or better. The large portion of the book about "executive recruiters" is especially welcome. It gives hard hitting and to the point advice on how to deal with recruiters which is rarely found. I would recommend this book to anyone.