Don't just get a job, find a career!

This guide is for people who failed using career counselors and career books, and feel hopeless. It focuses on great careers that most people have never heard of Careers consultant and columnist Marty Nemko and co-authors Paul and Sarah Edwards have developed a truly breakthrough approach to finding happy employment.

The Cool Careers Catalog (or Yellow Pages):
The first step may be the most fun ... browsing among over 500 good careers, including many unlikely suspects. Scan the names, read the short scoop on ones that intrigue you, and begin.

A computer really helps:
Access to the Internet is key. If you don't have a computer or Web access, most libraries do, and librarians can help you get started. Commercial firms like Kinko's also rent computer time. Think about buying a computer - you'll need it in every aspect of your job search.

Four not-pushy ways to land a job:
Join online discussion groups; sign up on "push" Web sites, which deliver on-target job openings right to your e-mail box; write a letter or e-mail to a senior person at your dream employers; attend job fairs.

Six cool career Web sites:

• www.careerpath.com: search instantly through want ads currently running in 60 major newspapers, a total of 260,000 fresh job openings

• www.coolworks.com: links to 35,000 jobs and volunteer opportunities at vacation spots: ski resorts, nation parks, cruise ships, resorts, and so on

• www.careers.org: this site has a master list of career-related online discussion groups

• www.edgeonline.com: jam-packed site for the self-employed with a searchable database of 5,000 documents and book chapters on small business;

• wwww.jobsmart.org: some of the best career advice on the Net

• www.dbm.con/jobguide/: your wish list of links to other great career sites.

Six ways to make any job better:

1. Propose to lead a project you'd find fun

2. Recruit an all-star team of supporters

3. Trade tasks that use your weaknesses for strengths

4. Learn if your boss is persuaded by facts or feelings

5. Think like a CEO: find solutions and get credit

6. If dead-end job, get out before you get stale.

Stop Procrastinating: Just do it!