Most of the "how-to" job search guidebooks that are available in the local bookstores are all from the western parts of the world. This book is written with the Asia job market in mind. Although many of the job search techniques are the same anywhere in the world, Asians will find this book very relevant to their local market, as it tends to reflect many of the nuances found in local cultures. This book, thus, is for anyone and everyone who wants to know the way to effective job search in Asia.

In the new economy, the one-job career is passé. In its place is the multiple-jobs career and you need to manage it to stay employable. Whether through pro-active management of your career or arising from on-going corporate restructuring, you will be faced with many occasions when you have to look for a new job.

This book takes you through the many stage of the job search exercise and shares with you, from the perspective of a job search consultant, the things (some obvious and others not so) you can do to make that difference to the results of your job search efforts.

As we are now in an era of continuous change (corporate restructuring, mergers, acquisitions, etc.) and multiple-job careers, regardless of whether you are a top senior executive in a multi-national organization or a soon-to-be entrant to the corporate battlefield, this book will be extremely useful and valuable for you in your career management, job search efforts and most importantly of all; taking charge of your career.

1. Career Management/Self Audit. Career management needs to be given greater weightage in your career. Start from here. Learn of some exercises you can do to have a better grasp of your current career situation. Includes worksheets for you to work on, too.

2. Making A Career Switch. How's and why's of a career switch. Should you or should you not? Find out what is involved in a career switch and the associated challenges.

3. Preparing your 'Self-Marketing Materials'. Includes resume and cover letter writing. Purpose of a resume, why the need for a proper resume to be written. This is your key marketing tool - learn how to do it professionally, without having to fork out hundreds of dollars for it to be done by others.

4. Job Search Strategies. Besides relying on the usual newspaper advertisements, other avenues of securing job leads are discussed. Each comes with their pros and cons, what are they?

5. Networking. The proven, most effective method of securing job leads. What networking is and what it is not, how to's.

6. Job Interviews. Must read. Many job hunters are disqualified at this stage of the exercise. Learn the secrets of what to do, what not to do, and how having a positive frame of mind is one of the top keys to interview success.

7. Managing the Headhunters. Properly managed, headhunters can be a wonderful source of help. Find out how they operate and what not to do if you wish not to irk them.

8. Tracking Your Job Search Progress. Probably the most administrative portion of the job search exercise. The importance of self-discipline in keeping proper records of your job search exercise. Work sheets provided for the reader's use.

9. Playing the Waiting Game. Finding not doing anything difficult? Here are a few pointers for you to use. Fancy a walk at MacRitchie Reservoir Park, anyone?

10. Deciding on Which Job Offers to Pursue. Work sheets to help the reader along in deliberating the job offer they will have. The key is to compare them light-for-light.

11. Negotiating Your Remuneration Package. Probably an art rather than a science. Have fun doing the negotiations but read this chapter first to acquire a couple of how-tos.

12. Succeeding in Your New Job. Finally. You start work in your new job. Find out what you should do and what you should not to keep yourself from being fired from your new job!

13. Taking the Plunge into Entrepreneur-ship. Always good to have other options. Here's one popular one. Learn from my experience, and benefit from them.

14. Especially for those over 45. A special place in my heart always for this group of readers. I have worked and met with many, many job seekers in this category. Skip the rest of the chapters and read this first. The author does not promise you a magical solution to your woes in dealing with employers' hiring mindset, but he does have a couple of experiences and advice to share with the reader.

15. Especially for those who have just begun. Our future corporate leaders. Some practical tips for the reader but again, no off-the-shelf solutions for them.

16. Outplacement & Your Job Search. The main focus of my current business. Learn more about outplacement and how you can make use of your outplacement consultant to the best of your advantage. What are the qualities of a top-notch consultant, find out in this chapter.

17. Maintaining Employability. Check out some of the key qualities you must possess to insure your ability to maintain employability. Having relevancy in the employment market is important, not keeping your current job.

18. Conclusion.

…This book is not just a re-tread of conventional advice, but provides inspiration, as well as practical guidance and leading edge methodology. It truly is an 'owner's manual' for one's career.

…Heng's insight into the pitfalls and the strategies of career/job transition has to be beneficial to all who read it!

"This insightful book is really about how to prepare ourselves with the necessary skills to make a difference in the world of work…This guide provides us the cognitive and emotional map to help us reach out and touch our dreams."

"…The book is not just a re-tread of conventional advice, but provides inspiration, as well as practical guidance and leading edge methodology. It truly is an 'owner's manual' for one's career."

"…Make it one of the few books you carry with you in your briefcase day in and day out. In these days when career changes happen at Internet speed, you're going to need Paul's book."

"…I thought I knew how to manage my own career until I read what he wrote. Lots of stuff. Lots of substance. Very inspirational."

"…Paul Heng's book, Jump Start Your Career, is a practical guide to getting a head start. He also shares his wealth of experience in effectively finding that job you have always wanted."

This is a great book for job seekers of all sorts. Paul guides the reader through a step-by-step process, using the most practical and proven techniques available. If you are looking for your next job, the job of your dreams, read this book, be disciplined - do as Paul says and you will make your dream a reality.

… In this book Jump Start Your Career, the reader can expect more than trite how-to's and the usual tips on job hunting.... In this time of dynamic career changes, this book will surely serve as a practical and reliable guide to career success!

…This new book is packed with practical ideas and action steps you can apply. Buy it now, then use what you learn to keep your career going UP!

Paul's book reflects his passion and commitment in sharing with you the tools to empower you in taking charge of your career. A practical and useful book that will serve as your career guide for the rest of your working life.

…This book is a befitting climax and a further testimonial to his (Paul's) tireless efforts to share his experience and expertise with you.

…Paul's tested and proven models, I believe, are crystallized in this publication for practical sharing and application to the benefit of its audience.

Offers commonsensical, sound savvy on how to traverse the brave new corporate jungle.

…His passionate message of take charge of your career left an indelible impression on us all.

Paul provides a good examination of the career planning process as it effects one's life. He gives some useful practical guidelines for handling the challenges inherent in changing jobs and evaluating options. This book should help people understand the importance of managing one's career and help them build a balanced life - as much as any of us can in these fast-moving and often tumultuous times!

Paul Heng has over 20 years professional human resource management and development experience in Asia. His views on career management, outplacement and human resource topics are often published by the media, including the highly regarded The Straits Times in Singapore as well as leading business and HR magazines as well as on major websites in Singapore & Hong Kong.

Paul is the Founder/Managing Director and Principal Consultant of NeXT Career Consulting Pte Ltd. NeXT Career is the Asia Pacific partner of arbora Global Career Partners, an international association of over 20 professional career management firms.

Paul partners his multi-national clients in the Region to deliver value-added career management and human resource programs for their human capital.

He is a regular guest at radio talk shows and on television, and also receives invitations to speak on HR issues in Singapore, Hong Kong and the Philippines. He is currently a panel expert on career management issues of The Asian Wall Street Journal as well as news and career management portal asiaone.com.

Paul is a member of the Association of Career Professionals International, based in Washington, D.C.

Paul has been an active Rotarian since August 1997, and is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Bugis Junction, one of the 19 Rotary clubs in Singapore. As the Chairman of the Organizing committee for his club's 2000/2001 major project, Paul successfully spearheaded the "Children In Need" project to raise funds for children from very poor families who have difficulty in paying for their children's basic education needs.

Paul and Jane have been married for 20 years. They have two children, Charmaine, 16 years old and Shaun, 14.