It may have been more accurate to entitle this book "Get the Job You Want, Even When You Think No One's Hiring." That's because it's a false assumptio to say that "no one's hiring," regardless of how bad the economy and job market may seem The fact is that every company is hiring all the time, if you can offer precisely what they need when they need it.

I'm not talking about job openings that are posted on company web sites or on Internet job boards. I'm not even talking about positions that are represented by executive recruiters. When it seems that no one's hiring, it is important not to focus just on job openings. There will be few publicly posted opportunities, and the competition for those few openings will be fierce.

Instead, you should work on identifying the particular needs, problems, and challenges that companies face during a serious market downturn. If you can demonstrate to the employer how you would address their issues successfully—and in the process make their company more productive, efficient, or profitable—you'll be able to land a good job in any economy. Ofcourse, this approach requires that you take full responsibility for your own career, and that you learn to sell your value in a compelling way. But this approach can also liberate you from the fear of facing unemployment every time the job market shrinks.

So, keep a close watch on your own assumptions. Study this book, and implement all of the strategies I've outlined for you. While others are sitting on the sidelines, convinced that there are no good jobs to be had, you'll be out there getting the job you want. Rather than feeling helpless, you'll regain your sense of empowerment and control. What a relief!