For most people, a fear of redundancy hangs over them like a darkcloud. In Andrew Taylor's case, it was a sudden, brutal pushin the back. Building on his contribution to the Aftershockseries on dealing with redundancy in The Sunday Times andhis own personal experiences, Burning the Suit shows how itcan be used as an opportunity to take control of your life. This isfor anyone who is looking for more in life than a 9-5 job,featuring:* Disaster or Opportunity?* What am I going to do?* Taking stock, taking control, and taking a newopportunity* Outplacement agencies, counsellors, and career coaches* Selling yourself* Being your own boss* Networking* Making it happen

Acknowledgements.Introduction: To Mr. Andrew.Chapter One. Thrown Off the Treadmill.Finding out what sort of friends I'd got, and how useful thelawyers could be. Hearing how other people had coped-and decidingto burn the suit.Chapter Two. What Am I Going to Do?How was I supposed to be feeling? And had I been thrown off thetreadmill or set free from prison?Chapter Three. Always Look on the......Bright Side of Life, they say - but it's not that easy. There'salways the duck-pond - and the gym. Taking stock, taking control,and taking a new opportunity.Chapter Four. Looking for Help.The biggest question of all, and the professionals who say they canhelp you answer it - outplacement agencies, counselors, and careercoaches.Chapter Five. Aftershock.The Aftershock column, the caller from hell, and the Aftershockgeneration. There is a life outside.Chapter Six. Grabbing at Logs.Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor - not to mention fireman, plumber,and teacher.Chapter Seven. Becoming Gordon Ramsay.The most important lesson of all - and it involves white wineand shallots. And just look who is on your side.Chapter Eight. Selling Yourself.What is it about interviews? And Ian Botham and the myth ofexperience.Chapter Nine. Being Your Own Boss.Scary statistics for would-be businessmen - have you got what ittakes? Freelances and franchises.Chapter Ten. A Brief Stopover in Hell.Networking parties - the Spanish Inquisition of the 21st century.How to handle them and how to avoid them.Chapter Eleven. The Money Man.A surprisingly good friend in need. Another big question, and thefive-point plan to security.Chapter Twelve. Rattling a Tin.Becoming Mr. Nice - finding out about how charities work, and whatthey can do for you.Chapter Thirteen. So What Did I Want?A few good examples - and the biggest decision so far.Chapter Fourteen. Making It Happen.One nightmare and half a dozen dreams - how people take theirsecond chances.Afterword. Why Have You Been Reading This Book?Dogs eating dogs, and a few other thoughts.