Leaving the Mother Ship [Paperback]

Randall M. Craig (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 3, 2004

Most career books are focused either on how to find a job when you’re fired, or how to build a particular skill, such as resume-writing or interview-taking. Leaving the Mother Ship is the only book targeted to those already gainfully employed, that answers the following three questions:

When should you leave, where should you go, and finding success once you have left.

The book provides readers with a practical model to make their own choices, and provides numerous anecdotes to illustrate each point. It is filled with practical, hands-on advice on how to leave – not just theories.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Leaving the Mother Ship Having the courage to leave, and charting the path to get there

Looking to take control of your career – but not sure how?
1) Long-time employee, unsure about your next position?
2) Organization changed over the years – for the worse?
3) Tired of being a rat in the rat race?
4) Want some career change – but to what?

If you answered "yes" to even one of these questions, you are a candidate to Leave the Mother Ship. But how do you know when to leave? Check out the Job Quality Checklist.

The Job Quality Checklist
1. Are you still having fun?
2. Are you being challenged intellectually?
3. Do you like your colleagues?
4. Are you reaching your career goals?
5. Are you achieving life balance?
6. Is your compensation somewhat close to your worth?

If you answered "no" to even one of these questions, you are a candidate to Leave the Mother Ship.

In this book, Randall Craig reviews the three fundamental career issues of the day: When to leave your job, Where to go next, and Finding success beyond the Mother Ship. Using diagnostic exercises like the Job Quality Checklist, he takes you step-by-step through the process, and gives you practical, been-there-before ideas and advice.

About the Author

Randall Craig has founded several start-ups, held a long-time position at a "big four" consulting firm, and was an executive at a public company. He has helped over ninety businesses, either as an owner, board member, executive, consultant, or workshop leader. His clients have included international financial institutions, public companies, not-for-profits, government, and a number of entrepreneurial companies. In addition to writing Leaving the Mother Ship, The Working Resume, and Personal Balance Sheet, he writes a weekly career tipsheet that appears on monster.ca. He holds an HBA, CFA, MBA, and a Black Belt in Karate.

Product Details

• Paperback: 186 pages
• Publisher: Knowledge to Action Press (May 3, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0973540400
• ISBN-13: 978-0973540406
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,039,776 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Over my career, I have founded several successful start-ups, held a long-time position at a "big-four" consulting firm, and was an executive at a public company. Currently, I'm the President of the management consulting firm Pinetree Advisors, consulting on Web and Social Media strategy.

I speak at conferences (and to corporate groups) across North America on Social Media, Networking, and Career Planning - the subject of my books. (I also lecture at the Schulich School of Business, and host the weekly TV show "Professionally Speaking TV".)

I'm a voracious consumer of information, typically reading several books simultaneously; usually science, but also philosophy, history, and of course, most of the business bestsellers. Favorite book is Douglas Hofstadter's "Godel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid". Hobbies include long distance cycling, training in the martial arts, and community leadership.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking...., July 12, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Leaving the Mother Ship (Paperback)

An intriguing and powerful book that provided a quick and practical way to assess my current job career and really think hard about charting my own course. The job quality checklist is truly invaluable, I know I'll be using it as a litmus test for all of my future jobs!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable for making a career change, April 10, 2006

By 

Shannon Renniks - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leaving the Mother Ship (Paperback)

This is an invaluable book for anyone wanting to make a job or career change, and achieve work-life balance. The author provides thought-provoking tools that really got my creative juices flowing and helped me make critical decisions about where I should go next in my career. In particular, I found the Job Quality Checklist, as well as the Personal Balance Sheet very helpful tools.

The book is well-written, and filled with knowledge and wisdom. Many thanks to the author for getting me on my next career path.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helped put things into perspective, October 10, 2004

By 

Jagadis (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leaving the Mother Ship (Paperback)

This book arrived on my desk just as I was considering a job change. I was having a hard time making a final decision and the exercises presented in this book really helped me decide whether to stay or move on. Was I having fun...NO. Was I being challenged intellectually...NO. Was I reaching my career goals...NO. Was I achieving life balance...NO. The decision to move to a new career seemed so obvious after reading the book. Sometimes we all need a bit of helpful advice when faced with difficult decisions. Thanks go to Mr. Craig for writing such a thoughful book. Highly recommended!!