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Job Hunting for the Utterly Confused
Book

Job Hunting for the Utterly Confused

Jason Rich
McGraw-Hill, 1998
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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable

Recommendation

Author Jason Rich offers a functional how-to targeted at job seekers. What it lacks in originality, the book makes up for in thoroughness. Rich provides lists of "action words" for use in resumes and cover letters, a review of likely interview questions, a description of four different resume formats, an exhaustive list of self-inventory questions, and topical advice from employment experts. The writing is uninspired, but novice job hunters probably aren’t looking for breathless prose. getAbstract recommends this solid book to rookies just striking out into the job market, or for older job seekers who are just plain striking out

Summary

Mirror, Mirror

Defining yourself is your first step toward landing the mother of all jobs. Ironically, this is the step that many people overlook, even though they have only a vague notion of what they are seeking. Begin by asking yourself a few challenging questions (although you might want to wait until you’re off by yourself so that people don’t think you’ve completely flipped out.) Some suggestions:

  • How would you describe your personal life currently?
  • If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?
  • What type of lifestyle would you like to have five or 10 years from now?
  • What are the five things you would like to change about your life?
  • Name the five qualities that you have that you are most proud of?
  • What are the five accomplishments that you are most proud of?
  • What special marketable skills do you have?
  • What working environment works best for you?
  • If you could do anything for a living, what would it be?
  • How do you define personal and professional success?

Assuming that you survive this self-interrogation without lapsing into schizophrenia, you’ll emerge with...

About the Author

Author Jason R. Rich already has a job: writing a weekly column for The Boston Herald’s Sunday career section. He has written over 20 books, including First Job, Great Job, and a number of best-selling video- and computer-game strategy books. He has also written feature articles that have appeared in The Wall Street Journal and the National Business Employment Weekly.

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