Customer Reviews

Highly Effective Networking: Meet the Right People and Get a Great Job

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
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As a career counselor I was delighted to read Orville's book as it's clear, easy to follow and demystifies networking. One of his points is that these need to be "comfortable" conversations--not cold calling. He also keeps the focus on networking clear: reaching insiders and hiring managers. My advice is read this book and follow these steps--you won't regret it!

One word describes this book, FABULOUS! This is a must read for everyone who is in job search. Whether you consider yourself "networking challenged" a "networking guru" or a "forever novice", Orville does an excellent job at creating a recession proof, systemized approach to networking which will help even you!

I really tried to finish this book. However, it ran long on points basically repeating the same thing over and over and thus my mind wandered.

There are a few interesting concepts in the book, I really was under the impression that you have to be an extroverted salesperson to really network, which is debunked in the book. It sounds like you should treat networking for a job similarly to day to day interactions with people when you are seeking the answer to a question or help with something. Sounds rather low key actually. I don't know how true it is, or if it's something that's common sense, but it was a confidence builder since I'm one of those types that is rather introverted and hates to network. However, I haven't tested out this concept yet.

I think what really got me was at the end of every chapter is his "journal" which attempt to portray real life examples of what he's discussing in the chapter. They are so painfully trite that I was cringing. The sample conversations for networking are also pretty bad.

He also does a fair amount of promoing his first book, which I found off-putting.

This book could have been helpful if it wasn't so drawn out, had better real life examples, and didn't hype his first book so much.

If you're curious about reading or skimming over the book I recommend you borrow it from a friend, or the local public library. I'm so put off by the author's writing that I couldn't pay for it.

Orville Pierson is the senior vice president of an international career services company, so he clearly knows about job hunting. He lucidly illustrates how job seekers can maximize the relationships within their circle of contacts to reach all-important "decision makers." He also directs readers to unlikely networking sources they might not normally consider. Pierson explains that, when it comes to job hunting, the Internet is both a blessing and a curse. Although the Web may expose a job hunter to more opportunities, odds are that any given résumé - along with thousands of others - can get swallowed up in a bottomless pit. The prospects are nearly as grim with print or online classified ads - particularly when job competition is fierce. Networking, Pierson says, may offer the best opportunity to find work or career advancement. Many people have landed good jobs by initiating conversations with friends, casual acquaintances or former colleagues. getAbstract praises Pierson's systematic, strategic approach to networking. As he says, it doesn't guarantee results - and it does require time and perseverance - but today's job seekers need every available weapon.

With all the books on the market concerning the job hunt in general, resume prep, etc. this one hits the key part of the whole job hunt-networking. I was laid off last spring and used it as my job hunting bible. I'm working now, and though (obvously) there were a lot of factors in my sucessful job hunt, this book was a huge help. There's no higher complement I could pay then that.

I had the opportunity to meet Orville Pierson and hear him speak on the topic of networking. He takes the mystery out of networking - by showing that networking is simply "talking to people with a goal in mind!" He illustrates in his book that each persons' existing network is really much larger than we realize - we just need to think about it a little differently. This is a great book for those currently in career transition, and those who think they may be soon! A definite ADD to your library! Gayle Bridgeman, Career Consultant and Trainer, [...]

This is well written and informative book. It is a must read for any job seeker. It is a great reference to assist how to best make connections to find a new job.

It is easy to read and understand.

Highly Effective Networking: Meet the Right People and Get a Great Job

This is the second of Orville Pierson books that I've read. Again he did not disappoint. He writes in a very approachable, encouraging way, backed by years of professional experience in helping people find jobs.

The way Pierson describes networking convinces even a diehard introvert like me that it's possible to use his version of networking to get to my next job!

As a follow-up to his excellent first book "The Unwritten Rules of a Highly Effective Job Search" Pierson presents a practical guide to networking. Real networking comes easy for some but for those of us that struggle with it Pierson offers a practical structured guide. He explores and explodes the myths of what networking is and shows that real networking involves:
1:An authentic conversation
2:Common interest
3:Information exchange
It is as the title states a guide to "effective" networking and that's what is all about, isn't it?

The true test of any Job Search advice is whether or not it works. For this book, the answer is an emphatic, 'yes'. I followed the systematic, step by step approach Orville Pearson lays out. By the end of my networking journey, through recommendations, I found myself having coffee with the CEO of a prestigious firm... for which I now work. If I had followed a more conventional path I would probably have been chewed up and spat out of the firm's HR process. Orville Pearson demystifies the networking process through providing a strategic framework. Through personal anecdotes and great metaphors he also helps build in the reader a certain mental resilience - essential to any job search. A must for anyone serious about landing a great job.