Reddit mentions of Break The Rules: The Secret Code to Finding a Great Job Fast

Oh yeah if you want a book for interviews, by far the best one I've read is this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Break-Rules-Secret-Finding-Great/dp/073520201X/

The reviews only have it as 4 star, but I give it 5 easily. It gives really practical knowledge. The guy who wrote it used to hire people for competitive corporate positions, and he also has a Ph. D. in management and I think also marketing. So if you just want a book for interviews, I would get that one first. Unfortunately I do not think it is available in digital format, but the used ones are super cheap, and again, I cannot recommend enough.

Just throwing this out there:

You don't have to quit your job to see if you can get equal or better pay elsewhere (or at your current soul-sucking job).

I recommend Break The Rules: The Secret Code to Finding a Great Job Fast.

It was written by one of those scumbag corporate shills who are either really good at faking liking their job, or actually like their job (even worse!). They also have a Ph. D. in the subject and seem to specialize in corporate jobs.

Noteworthy things from the book:

Teaches you how to take credit for things that you don't usually take credit for.

Example: Everyone working under you had to be earning money for someone, right? You can take credit for the hours they worked (you scheduled them), the money they made over however much time you've worked there (easily in the millions of dollars; probably hundreds of millions if you're with a company that makes a lot of money, possibly even in the billion range if you've been there long enough and the company is huge, all because you were the "lead" of their projects). Basically, any money that was made under you as the manger....TADA! You get the credit. Why? You would get the blame if everything was messed up. That's all it takes for you to justify using those huge numbers, even if you don't make the policy that leads to you getting those numbers. Doesn't matter, and the numbers impress other bosses. You can also use those numbers to negotiate higher pay from your current employer. "We're not gonna find a boss like GeneralMalaiseRB anytime soon! Pay the man, he makes X amount of money, which he just showed us on his spreadsheet! There's a go-getter there, that GeneralMalaiseRB. Can't fool him into working for pennies anymore!" they'll all say, once they read your numbers. You know what morons people are for spreadsheets in corporate culture. It's almost like they have to be, by some insane logic, or their entire system will crumble.

But even if getting a raise won't work, you can use those numbers to get a job that pays well. Hell, you probably don't even need to stay in your specialized area anymore. You said it yourself; your skill is in being a boss.

Anyway, I am too lazy to type out all the rest the book is good for, but it's a good book, and you don't have to quit your job first to use it.

Sorry to hear about your troubles!

Hmm, for job hunting I'd recommend:

Break The Rules: The Secret Code to Finding a Great Job Fast

It has the best way of looking at "selling yourself" to people I've ever seen in a book. Plus it came out in 2001 and you can buy it for a penny + shipping.

If you're interested in working for yourself (starting work now, not waitin around), I'd recommend:

Secrets of a Freelance Writer: How to Make $100,000 a Year or More

Or anything by Robert W. Bly. The guy's a genius.

For idea-generating for non-writing self-professions, I'd recommend:

The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future

If you create your own start-up, Bly has a marketing book too. I'd get that. Anything business-related written by the guy is worth its weight in gold.

If you don't see a job in sight, I would highly consider self-employment, just because you can start today. I think it's great that anyone, anywhere can say "I'm now employed" if they want to. There is responsibility for paying yourself, of course, but now no one can fire you, and they don't take a percent away from your earnings. You get all the kickback. And it's not a pyramid scheme-ish company like Amway, where layers of people are all getting a chunk of your profit (just like any other job you work for other people).

You sound intelligent and experienced; you should go for it if you've got the gumption.