Get That Job! » books

Can Steve Jobs help you get hired?

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:00:00 +0000

Last night I attended the $timulus Book/Networking Group in West Chester, Ohio. Monte Washburn led the discussion about Carmine Gallo’s book, The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience(affiliate link).

The context of these discussions is always around how the principles within can help people in their job searches and careers.

Check out Monte’s blog post.

17 Examples of Great Presentation Design (hubspot.com)
Steve Jobs’ Strategies for Overcoming Presentation Glitches [Presentations] (lifehacker.com)
Business Analyst – Daniel Johnson, Jr. (howigotmyjob.com)

Overcoming the dread of resume writing (BOOK REVIEW)

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:34:24 +0000

I made a confession on Twitter and Facebook yesterday: I hate writing resumes and cover letters and sending them off to people. I realize it’s a necessary part of the hiring process, but I’ve found it tedious and in some ways overwhelming.

I think the reason for this has to do with changing a career. I have a resume that somewhat worked for what I did at my last job, but, since I’m now moving in a different direction, I have to come up with a different resume. In my mind that often seems to be like an insurmountable task.

: Image by Olivier Charavel via Flickr

Last week I went to the library and browsed the books in the job hunting section for inspiration. I noticed this thin, tall book by fellow Cincinnatian Andrea Kay, entitled Resumes That Will Get You the Job You Want (affiliate link). This book was first written in 1997, and it contains a lot of things that are helping me overcome my dread of writing a resume.

Andrea writes in a real, down-to-earth style, and I love the approach that the book takes. She starts from having us inventory our strengths, expertise, and experience. Then she helps us get to the core of what we want to do and how we can make a difference, combining this into a thesis statement and objective. Once we do that, we’re able to put the accomplishment statements that support the thesis on the resume.

I’m still reading the book, but I wanted to let you know about it right now, because it’s actually given me hope that I can overcome my dread of writing a resume. I also have no problem recommending you check it out and use my affiliate link. Check it out at the library, or get it here.

Resume Help for Job Seekers (halliecrawford.typepad.com)
Good Cover Letter Techniques To Writing An Awesome One (slideshare.net)
Jumpstart your job search using the best online and offline strategies! (halliecrawford.typepad.com)
Using Social Networking Sites for Job Searching (timesunion.com)

I have a document like this and so should you

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:31:30 +0000

A coworker just commended me on something through an instant message (IM):

“Thanks, you saved me today with your help.”

It reminded me that I have a document for comments like this, so I added it to the “Quotes about my Performance” document I have. You should have one, too.

Why you should have this

A document like this is important for several reasons. I’ll include some ones I have, and I encourage you to add to the list in the comments:

Credibility of your accomplishments. It serves as a record of your accomplishments in someone else’s words.
Recommendations. Comments like these can be used in promotional material for yourself.
Cover letters. Specifically, reinforce a point made in a cover letter with a quote from a coworker or client about what you’ve done.
Encouragement. When you feel down or discouraged, you can refer to this list and remember that you have done something others have found valuable
References. Chances are if people have praised your work before, they might serve as references. Feel free to remind them what they’ve said if they have forgotten.

Where to find them

I’ve identified some places where you find quotes from others about you. Feel free to add to the list in the comments:

E-mail. If you have worked where you send and receive e-mail, you probably have some messages with morsels of praise within. Find those messages. I have often forwarded work messages with content like this to my personal account for this very purpose.
Performance Reviews. Chances are, if your company does performance reviews, your boss or manager has said something nice about what you’ve done, and you have a copy of it somewhere.
LinkedIn Recommendations. If you’re on LinkedIn (and you should be if you’re reading this blog- we should even be connected!), you can ask your connections for recommendations. Not only are they useful on your profile over there, but you can include them in this list.
Blog/Twitter trackbacks. If someone whose opinion you value highly has commended you in a blog post, on Twitter, or through some other form of “new media,” you can use Google Alerts and Twitter Search to find those comments.
Audio. I may be reaching a bit, but, let’s say you listen to a podcast or interview, or have been interviewed by someone else. Chances are you’re being interviewed because someone finds what you have to say important.

Start creating one

There are a few ways you can start creating a list like this:

Handwritten. Get yourself a notebook and start recording these comments in it. I used to have a page in a Franklin Planner many years ago for this. This might get time consuming, though, and you’ll have to be careful not to misplace your notebook.
Word. Create a document in Microsoft Word or other word-processing software and start adding to the list. But you’ll need to save this document somewhere and hope you’re able to keep track of it.
Online. I use Google Docs for this purpose, since I’m able to carry my Google account with me wherever I go, even if I leave an employer and have to give the computer back.
UPDATE: Jason mentions that the JibberJobber Job Journal is a great way to do this, and it’s now available in the free level.

RT @danieljohnsonjr: (via Get That Job!) I have a document like this and so should you: http://tinyurl.com/gtj-doc

Elements of a Good LinkedIn Recommendation (chrisbrogan.com)
Three Books to Check Out (chrisbrogan.com)
Open up most files with Google Docs automatically (news.cnet.com)

No related posts.

Overcoming Excuses in a Job Search (video)

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 03:29:00 +0000

In lieu of a text post, and as part of the testing effort for Blogger in Draft, I’ve uploaded a video about a book I’ve started re-reading. I also mentioned the Journey Inside My Mind Podcast but forgot to mention the URL: http://jimmpodcast.com.

Visit DiversityJobs.com for information on Diversity in the workplace.

Make a Personal Connection!

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 14:27:00 +0000

Chris at LifeHack.org recently shared some thoughts on effective networking (“Meet People NOT Business Cards – lifehack.org“). If you’re like me, you’ve tended to use these events as opportunities to amass a big collection of business cards. But that’s not the point of the meeting, really, is it? Here are my comments to the article:

I hear you, Chris. I just read something along the same lines in Keith Ferrazzi’s book Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time. If you collect a bunch of business cards without making a personal connection, you’re left with a phone list from which to make cold calls.

Now, let’s transfer these thoughts into collecting contacts on internet social networks, okay?

I see people blindly adding friends on social networking sites like MySpace, LinkedIn, Twitter, and others, the same way people collect business cards. There are various reasons to do this; the most obvious is to make themselves look important, which is something that motivates some people. If people see someone with lots of contacts, they will begin to think of them as an expert in their field. I’m a bit torn on this myself, to be honest.

Just remember that the personal connection is what matters. What are you doing right now to make and reinforce the personal connection with your contacts? What are your thoughts on the effectiveness of amassing large numbers of contacts?

Job-hunting success story – right out of college

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 20:07:00 +0000

Schneider Quad on the University of Cincinnati main campus. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I am very proud of how I landed my first job out of college, which seems like ages ago in internet time. I had spent lots of time at the library, researching the hidden job market and looking for leads. I had posted a resume at the University of Cincinnati’s Career Development and Placement office, and I guess they made a database available to recruiters.

My sister had recommended a book entitled 300 New Ways to Get a Better Job by Eleanor Baldwin. I found that very useful and would recommend it to any graduate or especially students in an online degree program, since they don’t have access to a career center.

One summer day in 1994, Mark, the Environmental, Health, and Safety Manager for a company that manufactured decorative items for homes, called me. What was meant as an initial screening call turned into a full-fledged telephone interview. When I hung up, I had made an appointment for an in-person interview. Not having a car of my own, I was able to borrow a friend’s. I spent the next days before the interview at the library, researching all I could on the company.

At the interview my enthusiasm for the position as an Environmental Engineer was strengthened, especially as I convinced Mark to take me on a quick tour of the plant. I made sure to share some of the information I had found from my own research, which seemed to impress Mark and Jim, the HR Manager who also attended the interview. At the end of the interview, I asked what more I could do to qualify for the job, conveying my strong interest.

Immediately when I returned home, I typed up a thank you note to both Mark and the HR Manager who also interviewed me. Then I both faxed and mailed it.

Within a week Mark called me to offer me the job. I accepted it and wound up moving an hour north to Dayton, Ohio, where I lived for ten years.

The Internet has certainly changed the way we can look for jobs and how employers can find us. This worked for me back in 1994.

Do you have a job-hunting success story you’d like to share? Please send it to me at daniel [at] getthatjobonline [dot] com.

Note: I’ve updated this post to include some additional links to affiliates and others that I recommend you check out.

You are a business unit

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 03:09:00 +0000

I’ve been reading David Schwartz’s book The Magic of Thinking Big, and I’m currently going through a chapter about goals. We all should approach our lives the way businesses do when it comes to setting goals. Here’s an excerpt from the chapter I’m reading:

Like the progressive corporation, plan ahead. You are in a sense a business unit. Your talent, skills, and abilities are your ‘products.’ You want to develop your products, so they command the highest possible price. Forward planning will do it.

Here are two steps which will help:

First, visualize your future in terms of three departments: work, home, and social. Dividing your life this way keeps you from becoming confused, prevents conflicts, helps you look at the whole picture.

Second, demand of yourself clear, precise answers to these questions:

What do I want to accomplish with my life?

What do I want to be?

What does it take to satisfy me?

Just like in any business unit, there is sure to be integration among the departments, but this example really has me thinking about my own life. I have been reluctant to set goals in the past because I’ve had a low self-confidence. Now that it’s gotten much better, I’m thinking BIG and ready to set goals.

How about you? What do you think of all this?

Connect with Long-lost Contacts This Holiday Season

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 18:40:00 +0000

Anyone else remember this jingle:

Reach out, reach out and touch someone
Reach out, reach out and just say ‘Hi’

I remember the commercials on TV and the radio, encouraging us to call friends and family.

I bring this up because we are now in the midst of the holiday season, which is a great excuse to get back in touch with people in your address book, contact list, or other network list. So why not reach out and touch someone in your network this season?

Job Security

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 19:06:00 +0000

From the Contract Employee’s Handbook, Appendix B: Glossary of Terms for Contract Professionals:

Job security: Job security is an urban myth. The myth of job security owes its origin to the common misconception among employees that they are somehow entitled to keep their employment with a given company in perpetuity. In fact, there is no job security. Employment with a given company is not an entitlement, and the right to continued employment is a myth. Another urban myth is that of job loyalty. Job loyalty arises from the misconception among many employees that if they show loyalty to their employer, their employer will reciprocate with loyalty toward the employee. As Dan Pink points out in his enlightened book Free Agent Nation, conventional wisdom dictates that workers trade loyalty for security, when, in fact, a more realistic assessment shows that workers instead trade talent for opportunity.

Restoring Overtime Security for Millions of Working Americans

Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters : 400 Unconventional Tips, Tricks, and Tactics for Landing Your Dream Job : Books

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 12:46:00 +0000

I saw this book featured on LinkedIn this morning:

Why people are unhappy at work

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Mon, 28 Mar 2005 21:46:00 +0000

This news comes from ClarkHoward.com:

Do you remember your first day on the job? For many of us, there was probably a lot of excitement and maybe some nervousness. Once that goes away, there is usually a lot of enjoyment with a job. But over time, boredom starts to set in and people start to just go through the motions, according to recent reports. It’s become such a problem that academics are writing about it. Two recent books are The 7 Hidden Reasons Employees Leave: How to Recognize the Subtle Signs and Act Before It’s Too Late and “Staying and Becoming Less Engaged Every Day.” Employees are the ambassadors of our employers, and if we feel no connection, we suffer and the company suffers. So, why do we start not caring about our jobs? The No. 1 reason in Clark’s opinion is that companies stop caring about the employees. So, remember that if you are an executive or a supervisor. Make the work environment fun and let people know they are appreciated. That doesn’t mean more money. Words of praise usually matter much more.

While I could not find a link to the second book Clark mentions, I did find a link to a related story: Reaching the breaking point in your job

Clark Howard Show Notes for Monday, March 21, 2005

Looking for a Book Deal

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Fri, 12 Nov 2004 06:04:00 +0000

I’m looking for a book deal. Contact me if you’re interested.

How to Be a Working Comic (book)

Job Search Humor Blog and a Success Story to Boot

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Sun, 07 Nov 2004 20:37:00 +0000

First, this note via email:

Dear Dan,

I’ve looked at your blog and I really can relate.

I am writing to ask if you would consider linking my blog to “Get That Job.” I am a communications writer with a penchant for humor. I’ve started a blog, entitled, “Does This Look Funny to You?,” which consists of articles, one-liners, and column links. The columns are from my stint as a humorist for the employment publication, Career Magazine. I also have written a book-length manuscript, entitled “Blown Job: an unemployment odyssey,” which chronicles my lengthy, frustrating, and comic search for employment. I am going to provide chapter excerpts on the blog, several of which I’ve already posted.

I invite you to take a look, and if you find my blog interesting, I would be most grateful if you would provide a link to it on your websites. I would be glad to reciprocate with a link on my blog.

The blog link is:

http://lookfunny.blogspot.com

Thank you for your time. I will be checking your site and I hope that I will see the aforementioned link there.

Sincerely,

Jill Salter

Head over there; you won’t be disappointed. (Note to self; update the blogroll, heh?)

Secondly, you can read about Jill’s recent success at finding a job at Sore Feet, Bleary Eyes, and a Big Fat Smile.

Please feel free to share your job hunting success stories, as they inspire and give hope to us all who are looking. You can send them via email, or post something in the comments.

Go Get That Job!

How to Be a Working Comic (book)

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Tue, 26 Oct 2004 21:16:00 +0000

I was browsing through the library’s catalog yesterday, and I found the book, . Comedians make it look so easy that I’ve thought of going to an open mic night at one of the comedy clubs around here.

The Amazon.com page contains editorial reviews and reviews from individuals.

Promote Yourself to a New Job: 2010 — A Job Odyssey

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Sun, 29 Aug 2004 03:27:00 +0000

Note: My Yahoo! Daily Tips via HotJobs do not exist with permanent URLs. Thus, I have posted the entire tip below:

Promote Yourself to a New Job: 2010 — A Job Odyssey

by Caroline Levchuck

It’s one of the most modern forms of self-promotion: Blogging.

Blogs are online journals. Easy to create, a blog can help you establish yourself as a voice to be reckoned with in your industry.

Ana Marie Cox’s political gossip blog, Wonkette.com, led to a job covering the Democratic National Convention for MTV News.

Julie Powell, an unemployed New Yorker, put up a blog documenting her year-long odyssey cooking all 524 recipes in Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” It remains one of Salon.com‘s most popular

destinations and sparked Powell’s new career as an author. She’s contracted for a book to be published in 2005, based on her experiences.

A blog can help turn your name into a bold-faced one — and make you a VIP in your field. If Cox and Powell can do it, so can you.

I would love to blog and get paid for it. I’m just not sure if what I blog about merits anyone paying me to do it. What do you all think?

No related posts.

Films to Fuel Your Job Search: Welcome to the Jungle – MyYahoo! Daily Tip

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Wed, 11 Aug 2004 03:54:00 +0000

by Caroline Levchuck

Going from the classroom to the boardroom can be a shock to your system.

Check out these flicks for advice and inspiration on how to make a minor league job your launching pad to the majors.

“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” (1967)
You may want to pick up a self-help book after watching this classic film. J. Pierpont Finch (Robert Morse) makes a meteoric rise from window-washer to vice president of the Worldwide Wicket Company thanks to unscrupulous advice in a how-to book. Word to the wise: Don’t believe everything you read.

Reality Bites (10th Anniversary Edition) Budding filmmaker Lelaina (Winona Ryder) and her three Gen X friends find that college didn’t necessarily prepare them for the perils of corporate America. A must-view when you’re scared of selling out or surrounded by slackers.

The Secret of My Succe$s There’s always room at the top, particularly when you invent a position there for yourself. Hey, it worked for Brantley Foster (Michael J. Fox). He goes from mailroom clerk to whiz kid executive, thanks to a vivid imagination, some quick changes and lots of close calls.

Wall Street
If you think greed is good, visit Wall Street. Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), burgeoning big-time broker, aims high and lands the biggest client of his life. But hapless Fox lets his lust for money compromise his values, relationship with his family and stature as a law-abiding citizen. Let it be a lesson.

READ MORE ARTICLES FROM HOTJOBS AND YAHOO!:

How to Write a Resume That Gets Interviews
New and Emerging Occupations
Minor Matters That Make Your Interview

Read more career advice on Yahoo! HotJobs.
Sign up for Yahoo! HotJobs’ newsletters and have career news delivered to your inbox.

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Sat, 08 May 2004 02:10:00 +0000

Let’s welcome a new contributor…

Rita Fisher, a Certified Professional Resume Writer, has received publicity for her work with job seekers on the Oprah Winfrey Show, in McCall’s magazine and in many other media sources. Her professional resume writing work has been featured in Gallery of Best Resumes (Gallery), a book by Jist Publishing. You can reach her at http://www.CareerChangeResumes.com.

To find out how you can contribute to this blog, head over to the Archive page.

Staying Employed While You’re Searching for a New Job

Don’t ever stop your networking

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Wed, 11 Feb 2004 18:55:00 +0000

[another Marvin Walberg article]

The main point of this article is that you should constantly network instead of relying on “911 Networking,” the kind that often occurs when someone loses a job.

Walberg recommends a book by Diane Darling, entitled The Networking Survival Guide: Get the Success You Want By Tapping Into the People You Know. I’ve added it to my list of favorite books so that I’ll know to check it out later (I maintain a list of what I’m currently reading via AllConsuming.net, and you can view the list at my homepage, “Dan’s Domain.”).

Constant networking may mean that jobs come looking for you.

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Sat, 24 Jan 2004 18:37:00 +0000

5 Things to do with all that extra time:

Being unemployed may suck financially, but it does have its advantages in terms of all of that extra free time it creates.

You could spend the next couple of months couch surfing, or here are some other things you can do with your free time:

1. Learn to Cook – there are cooking classes, cookbooks, and my personal favorite, the food network with all sorts of cooking shows like Iron Chef, 30 Minute Meals, Food 911, Date Plate , and the Naked Chef with Jamie Oliver(why is it they pick the hunkiest hosts for these shows? Cute men that can actually cook? Woohoo!), you’re bound to find something that appeals to your “inner chef”!

2. Exercise Your Body: you don’t have to join a gym to get out and get some exercise! Pick your favorite activity, or something that you’ve always wanted to learn, and get on a schedule, joing a group, or take a class to improve your skills.

3. Exercise Your Mind: Learn something new, take a class, read a book, get certified, write your memoirs, anything is good as longs as it exercises your mind!

4. Get Organized! Whether it’s organizing your house, your life or your job search, it’s never too late to make a fresh start at getting organized (and staying that way!)

5. Volunteer

If you have any other suggestions for this list, please add a comment!

(cross-posted on the Job Files)

No related posts.

Get That Job! » books

Can Steve Jobs help you get hired?

Related articles by Zemanta

Overcoming the dread of resume writing (BOOK REVIEW)

Related articles by Zemanta

I have a document like this and so should you

Why you should have this

Where to find them

Start creating one

Feel free to share this on Twitter with the following text:

Related articles by Zemanta

Overcoming Excuses in a Job Search (video)

Make a Personal Connection!

Job-hunting success story – right out of college

You are a business unit

Connect with Long-lost Contacts This Holiday Season

Job Security

Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters : 400 Unconventional Tips, Tricks, and Tactics for Landing Your Dream Job : Books

Why people are unhappy at work

Looking for a Book Deal

Job Search Humor Blog and a Success Story to Boot

How to Be a Working Comic (book)

Promote Yourself to a New Job: 2010 — A Job Odyssey

Recommended Reading: Job Search

Films to Fuel Your Job Search: Welcome to the Jungle – MyYahoo! Daily Tip

Don’t ever stop your networking