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By Perri Capell
From The Wall Street Journal Online

Question: I have 15 years experience in consumer product marketing, seven in my last job. It ended six months ago, when my boss and I parted badly. Since then, interviews with recruiters and employers haven't gone well because of my low self-esteem. Can I repair the damage from these meetings, or should I stop job hunting and find temporary work until I feel better?

Answer: Many people have messy departures from their jobs that leave them with low self-confidence. They sometimes perform poorly in interviews because they haven't taken time to resolve their feelings. More rejections from employers can make them feel even worse, says Gary Rich, a career coach in Pound Ridge, N.Y.

"Rule No. 1 for everyone who loses a job is to not go right back out there looking," Mr. Rich says. "You have to take time to gain perspective on what took place and develop a story."

Since your interviews haven't gone well, finding interim work so you can "sit it out" for a while may seem tempting. But this strategy could heap injury upon insult. It isn't easy to find interim jobs that pay decently, plus when you resume job hunting in your field, employers will wonder what you've been doing.

"Companies ask hard questions of people who take breaks, so you need to stay at it," says Robert Richards, an executive recruiter with Axcel Recruiting Inc., a Richmond, Va., search firm that specializes in consumer-packaged-goods professionals.

It's time to stop dwelling on negatives and start building on your assets. The current market for consumer products talent is good, says Mr. Richards, so work on rebuilding your confidence and devising a strategy to market yourself more effectively. Think of yourself as a product with many benefits, and don't worry about a few bad interviews with recruiters. "We're just one of many job-hunting resources, and recruiters in this arena don't all know each other," Mr. Richards says.

See a counselor or join a group that can provide you with emotional support and help with your confidence during this transition, Mr. Rich suggests. Churches, community agencies and job-hunter groups are among low-cost services to contact.

Develop a concise statement about why you left your past job. It could be as simple as "After seven years, I needed a new challenge." Be honest about your boss without saying anything negative. "Just say that you parted ways and don't get into the details," says Mr. Richards. If necessary, come up with other people who can serve as references.

Call on your consumer-products experience in plotting your job-search campaign. Focus on your assets and experience, and then make a list of potential target employers. Seek ways to connect with hiring managers. Contact friends, relatives and professional colleagues. Don't dwell on the ones who won't help you. "If 25% return your call, that's pretty good," says Mr. Rich.

Sign up with leading job-search sites in your field and function, and contact recruiters you haven't spoken with yet. Be flexible about relocating. Most consumer products-related jobs are at corporate headquarters, and more opportunities will be available if you are open to moving. Also consider applying at small companies. "Lots of smaller companies need people with your know-how, especially if you have big-company experience," says Mr. Richards.

If you have pressing bills to pay, think about ways you can survive for a few more months so you don't lose your search momentum. A short-term loan from family or a lender may be good options. Remember that job hunting is a numbers game. The more customers you contact, the closer you'll get to a sale. With the right attitude, a new position may be at the end of your next conversation.

Have a question about job hunting or career management? Send it to Perri Capell. If you don't want your name used in our column, please indicate that. Due to the volume of mail received, we regret that we cannot answer every question.