Career advice: Back to the US from Pakistan

This must be an especially difficult time for you in Pakistan. So the need to position yourself correctly to move back to the U.S. is even more critical now.

There are several different ways to find a job (i.e., ads, cold calls, job clubs, headhunters, Internet, internal promotion, etc.). Experience shows that those who use only one avenue for job hunting usually give up within a month with meager results. Using too many dilutes your efforts and also doesn't produce the desired results. Ideally, you should use between three and five avenues to boost your chances of success.

In your case, you should pursue leads and possibilities of jobs by approaching the following contacts:

• a person in your current organization (not in human-resources) who knows your experience
• your closest competition (discreetly)
• a limited number of recruiters specializing in finance
• larger companies who do business in Pakistan
• medium-size investment banks that work in industries you know well

Keep your search clear and simple, and you'll succeed.