FIRED AGAIN

The pseudonymous Mr. Skelton has been successfully fired four times now and this Guide to Survival in the Corporate Foothills demonstrates that a pink slip could actually be a bonus in disguise. This is specifically aimed at the mid-career man who is willing to go for broke and who is, consequently, faced with problematical firings all along the line. In fact, ""If you're not in danger of being fired now and again, you're probably not doing much of a job."" The author points out danger signals, describes the kind of situations (watch out for ""reorganization"") in which they exist; and throws in a lot of psychology from dealing with the overly efficient secretary to observing your boss' mannerisms. He outlines job-hunting procedure--letters, resumes, follow-up calls, tells what to expect in various types of interviews and how to juggle offers until the right one comes through. The real value here is in reassurance; in fact one college study mottoed ""Do him a favor. . . . Fire him!"" And it's the perfect pick-me-up from Black Friday to Blue Monday. An executive pacifier.