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I've been there, so here are some of the lessons I learned from the school of hard knocks:

1) Never say never about doing another post-doctorate/research assistant professorship to get back into the game. People are doing those into their forties. Laboratories need people, and if the money is there, accountants and administrators can find ways to get approved money to anyone.

2) Other jobs are out there. You found the "perfect" job once, so it should happen again if you are competent. It just may take some time, even an exceedingly long time. Look everywhere on every website: Monster, CareerBuilder, Biospace, FASEB, individual company sites, etc. You need to spend the time and effort of a second job to get you back where you want to go.

3) Use your network to help you find [u]any[/u] job to get you "back in there," because you know that you are currently "exiled."

4) Get some executive recruiters to help find work for you. It's in their best interest to get you a job as doing so is their only source of income. Plus, it's free help for you. They'll work to get your resume in shape too. Never, however, depend on them too much as they come through only in a small minority of the time. Still, any port in the storm.

5) Don't limit your places of where to work. I never wanted to be in California, yet here I am.

6) Unless you are a horrid person, have no personality, or are an idiot, you'll get interviews, definitely. When you do, you'll need to cover your butt in terms of that interview elephant-in-the-room, "So, what have you been doing since you were laid off from XYZ?" My personal great answer, "I was doing some consulting." I formed a company and got a website, with only a domain starter page. I was the only "employee," and eventually made close to no money, but it was something to fill that hole in the resume. You don't have to say what you did as it is "confidential." You can just say that, "Consulting really wasn't for me."

There are many more lessons that may be provided from lots of other people.

I, like you, due to budget cuts, got blown away from that "perfect position" after five and a half months. It took me fifteen months to get back on track with another "perfect job." Know the rule-of-thumb that for every $10,000 of annual income, it will take one month to find a job. I was a pretty specialized person, so it was a tish more for me.

Thus, there is absolute hope, but just understand that you need to be prepared for a ton of work with major disappointment along the route. I wish you all the best.

P.S. When I got my layoff, my wife told me we were getting a divorce. Hopefully, that's not happening to you. ]]> http://www.the-scientist.com/community/posts/preList/271/979.page http://www.the-scientist.com/community/posts/preList/271/979.page GMT
Virna, I don't think 1 year away from science is too worrying. If you really want to go back on track, follow Paul's advice and keep trying until you find what you want. If you don't try, you won't win. Good luck!


[url]http://www.experimentyourlife.com[/url]

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