The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Resume, Second Edition (2nd Edition) [Paperback]

Susan Ireland (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: January 18, 2000

This is an updated and revised guide to help job seekers put together an attention-grabbing resume and land their dream job.

Includes advice for new graduates, seniors, mothers returning to the workforce, career switchers, and more.


Features dozens of sample resume styles, an action plan for a successful job search, and professional advice on creating cover letters, finessing the toughest interview, and writing thank you and follow-up letters.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Even complete idiots can get great jobs--just look at all the middle managers out there! The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Resume by longtime résumé expert Susan Ireland will help you find and take the perfect job. Even if you've been off the market for a while, been fired recently, or are just starting out from school, you can package yourself so irresistibly that you'll be working in no time. The first section helps you devise a strategy for your hunt, including giving yourself moral support, finding your strengths, and selling yourself in two pages. Next we learn how to polish and refine a résumé until it describes you working in your future dream job (not you working in your dreary jobs of the past). Notes on special résumés for academics and others, cover letters that scream for attention, and a large section on using e-mail and the Web to broaden your search are significant advantages of The Complete Idiot's Guide over other résumé books, and the samples provided are sure to inspire greatness. The blend of written and visual learning helps move the reader along from point to point quickly and easily, and the liberal helpings of sidebars, tips, and hints make the dreaded job search almost fun. Even if you're not management material, you'll find The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Resume a big help and well worth the small investment. --Rob Lightner

From the Back Cover

With the average American changing jobs nine times during their working lives, the ability to work the job market is crucial. This step-by-step guide walks the jobseeker through the resume-writing process, offers hands-on advice and tips, provides successful resume templates for business, education, marketing, and other fields, and explains the process for posting your resume online.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 2nd edition (January 18, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028633946
• ISBN-13: 978-0028633947
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,637,703 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best guide to writing a resume for degreed professionals, June 13, 2000

By 

K. L Sadler "Dr. Karen L. Sadler" (Freedom, Pa. USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Resume, Second Edition (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

I had a heck of a time finding a decent resume guide, whether in book format or on the Internet or on software. Every one was completely different, and most of the ones that I either bought or looked at, dealt with people who had either high school education, high school with experience, one college degree, or someone who had been in the job market/working world for a while and was merely refreshing his/her resume. I was looking for information on how to write a resume when you have several degrees in different fields, and writing experience. I also wanted direction on how to make the most of all the experience I have in teaching both hearing and deaf people, volunteer work, odd jobs, etc. and I just couldn't find that information anywhere else. After a lot of disappointments, I finally came upon this book. I guess the title of these books tend to turn me off, but this book was by far the most complete and useful of everything I've used or looked at, and it is the one I finally based my resume on. I certainly intend to recommend this particular book to others including my students. Karen Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous techniques, tips and up-to-date information, May 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Resume (Paperback)

This has to be one of the best resume-writing guides available (and I've read them all!) I'm in the business of writing resumes and often refer to Susan Irelands gems of wisdom to turn my clients' simple, ordinary work histories into simply extraordinary, job-winning achievements. A great resource!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Only resume book you'll ever need, September 18, 2003

By 

dana (toronto, ON.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Perfect Resume, 3E (Paperback)

On the cover of the book it says, "the only resume book you'll ever need". I found that to be very true. I went to an employment resource centre and took a look at more than 15 'expert' resume books, most were garbage, and then i found Susan Ireland's book. I still find the title of her book, "the complete idiot's guide..." insulting. However, don't let the title discourage you. this book does an excellent job for people going through a career change (myself). I have written many resumes and found this book taught me new tricks, boosted my confidence, and best of all showed me how to write a successful resume. Excellent for both expert and novice resume writters. I rated this book 4 stars because of the terrible Cover Letter section.
For example, p.186 from book:

"... Dear Mr. Foremost,
Do you believe in fate? I didn't until I opened the Sheridan Bee this morning and saw your ad for Job Placement Officer....."

or this clever one:

".... Dear Mr. Callahan,
Research shows that women have a greater sensitivity to color than men. for that reason, I propose that I create a marketing program for Household Paints that targets women....let's talk in person about your new 'Colors for Women' program. I'II call you in a few days to arrange an appointment..."

Those are some of the weakest examples of cover letters i have ever read. Completely unacceptable in my opionion. My advice, check out the book for the resume section only.