I wasn’t exactly sure which forum this ought to be in, but since it’s a book I’ll put it here. Anyway, like a lot of people, I have been unemployed / underemployed for a long time now. I’ve been given a copy of What Color Is Your Parachute? and have been told that it is the gold standard of reference books for job hunting. I seem to recall getting a copy of it as a graduation present from someone way back when I graduated college, but for some reason didn’t read it (at least I don’t recall reading it.)
I’ve only read the first couple of chapters, which mainly discuss the most popular, but (according to the author) the least effective methods for job-hunting. And having tried all those methods extensively (internet, search firms, job listings) and getting nothing, I’m inclined to agree.
But the rest of the book promises to teach the most successful job search methods ever, a virtual guarantee of getting the job I want in the circumstances I want. I try to be open-minded, but tend to be slightly skeptical. After all, it’s one thing to say this is the best, most efficient method of finding a job. It’s another thing to have some tangible proof of it. So I’m wondering, has anybody out there in Dope-dom read this book, and used it’s methods? If so, what were your results? Did you land your dream job? Or was it as much of a crap shoot as just mailing out resumes?
We can open up this thread to discuss any other job-hunting books if you’d like. What ones do you like and find helpful? Which are a waste of time?
For myself, I’d file “Who Moved My Cheese?” under ‘waste of time’ books. I’ll grant that there is a kernel of truth in the little fable - but the simplistic, cutesy, condescending way it’s written was intensely irritating. I found it smug and insulting.
I don’t want to disappoint you (and I didn’t read that book), but if the basic problem is that for every one job opening you have 50 or 100 applicants, then NO book can help you, and any that promise to give secret tips that guarantee one … are either out of touch with the real world, or part of blaming the victim.
The previos posters nailed it. This book offers OK advice for NORMAL unemployment situations-but we are actually in a second “Great Depression”-unemployment is actually over 16%. So many people have given up, that the “official” rate is now below 9%.
Not only this, but there are millions of degreed people who are working temporary, low-paying jobs that disapper overnight. In some areas (like Cape Cod, MA), the winter unemployment rate is over 45% (the jobs are seasonal and don’t start till March/April).
That said, WCIYP emphasizes networking as your prime tool for finding a job. While this is worthwhile, I have NEVER gotten a job from it-all of mine were landed throgh agencies. So may people are looking, that people employed are getting thousands of calls, emails, letters, etc.-which is casing a lot of mutual frustration.
I’ve found internet job-hunting to be successful, but I only apply for jobs that I know I’m 100% qualified for, and I already have a job. The last round of resumes I sent out, I got five interview requests. The catch was, none of the jobs I was offered were paying more than I’m currently making, and I’m not desperate enough (yet) to take a pay cut. I got this job *just *before the recession got bad around here, and wages have been deflating ever since.
For someone who’s got a few months of unemployment (or more) under their belt, or someone who applies for their “dream job” but isn’t qualified for it, I can see why internet job hunting would be less successful.
When I decided to retire from the military two years ago this was one of the books they gave me in order to assist my transition. I found it very helpful. I did use my personal network and in addition, created a technical portfolio with all my courses, attaboys, references and quals in one place. I actually stole that idea from my wife who was job hunting (teacher) at the time.
I also researched (mostly online) every one of the companies I was applying for and in the job I got, also read thier ethics policy. I talked to employees in similar positions and got a feel for what the job was like. I also followed up in the jobs I didn’t get;" why wasn’t I considered for x position? Thaanks for your time…"
So yes, it worked for me.
In the current economic situation, I wouldn’t waste much time reading books about finding a job. I’d spend 40+ hrs a week looking for work, using any means available.
I was unemployed for nearly a year; now I’m making $8/hr and frankly I’m grateful for it. Of course it helps that I love my job. I could make a lot more doing something I hate, but it’s not worth it.
I also read it a long time ago, and was not impressed, though if any book gives you a good idea it might be worth it.
But now for some cheerleading. Whatever the official unemployment rate is, your personal rate will be different. The rate for high school dropouts is a lot higher than the national rate, and that for PhDs is a lot lower. Here in Silicon Valley good new graduates are getting multiple offers for lots of bucks.
There may be ten or 20 or 30 people applying for a job, but 90% of these are either nothing special or are applying for anything that moves. I know, I’ve gone through stacks of resumes lately. Not all applicants are create equal, and I for one (and I suspect most people) would rather hire a friend of a friend than go through another stack of badly done resumes. So the secret is not getting on the application line but jumping to the head of it.
This. If there are any take-aways from this book it is this. I was caught in the whirlwind of re-orgs in 2009 and networking by far was the most effective means of finding leads and opportunities. Thru a friend I was able to connect with a contractor that helped me land a contract-to-hire gig and was able to stay whole thru the early days of the recession (and to the present). Remember that connections may not lead directly to a new job, but IMHO networking is the best value for your time.
I will also add a vote for working contract for a while - these outfits have deep leads in many fields at a lot of companies for jobs that never get to the internet. Again - staying ahead of the competition. YMMV.
I did not find it helpful, but possibly because I thought it was bullshit throughout the whole book.
That said, however, I did read a helpful book when job hunting August-October last year: Cover Letter That Knock Them Dead by Martin Yale. It struck me as BS too, but of the last four cover letters I wrote, the only four I needed to write after reading the book and therefore the only ones I used the book’s advice for, I was offered three interviews; I wasn’t offered any interviews for the jobs I applied for before reading the book, ftr. Then I read The Essential Book of Interviewing by Arnold Kanter and was offered one of the two jobs I accepted an interview for (the third interview offer came after I was offered a job, so I didn’t bother.)
I’m a professional and have been unemployed a number of times due to layoffs. I’ve done the whole networking thing, professional recruiters, volunteering, etc, but ALL of the jobs I’ve gained (save for my first one out of school) were from online applications for jobs I was qualifed for.
The big caveat is that the job market where I live is one of the hottest in North America and has been for years.
The one takeaway I got from networking was learning to meet strangers in a professional setting and creating a good impression. That’s a skill that has a lifetime of usefullness.
I’ll definitely agree that applying for a specific job at a company web site is far better than randomly spewing resumes. Even if that job is closed, the resume will be considered for another one. But resumes sent to me by people who have looked me up do even better, assuming of course there are any openings at all.