Job Hunting for Dummies [Hardcover]

Max Messmer (Author), Robert Half (Author), Max Messmer Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2001 | Series: Miniature Editions for Dummies (Running Press)

A Running Press Miniature Edition™ for anyone just entering the job market-or for career professionals who just need a change. All the wisdom from the CEO of the world's largest specialized staffing firm is distilled into quick and easy-to-read sound bytes in this pocket-size guide-including tips on how to effectively apply for a postiion, as well as how to complete the perfect interview. A great gift for recent grads! More For Dummies Miniature Editions™

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Job Hunting For Dummies is a remarkably versatile book. It holds your hand through the arduous and terrifying process of job-seeking, and offers valuable insights relating to résumés, interviews, and networking, effectively playing the roles of mother, pal, spouse, and guidance counselor, without ever losing its temper or asking when you're finally going to land a job.

Max Messmer is eminently qualified to instruct on all things job-related. He's chairman and CEO of Robert Half International Inc., the world's largest specialized staffing firm, and he's penned numerous articles, columns, and books (such as The Fast Forward MBA in Hiring and Staffing Europe), so Messmer knows a thing or two about how to apply for a job effectively, and he has a few words to say on how not to blow it, too.

He knows, for instance, how overwhelming and intimidating the job hunt can be, and how useful it is to break the monster down into prioritized, bite-sized tasks. There are detailed chapters on organizing, setting targets, and scoping out the field, plus essential chapters on writing a résumé and cover letter that present you in the best light, pursuing job leads, and performing well in the interview spotlight.

Messmer's experience in the field makes his advice reliable. You know that when he suggests how to research a company before the interview so you are somewhat knowledgeable about what they do, and when he warns against pink résumés and sarcastic cover letters, he's offering the collective opinion of hundreds of staffing professionals. It's advice worth reading, no matter how qualified you already are to do the job once you get it. The only misleading aspect of Job Hunting for Dummies is the title, because no dummy would do something so smart as to increase his or her application advantage by reading Max Messmer's book. --Stephanie Gold --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

Discover new ways to find the job you want

"Comprehensive and easy to understand, this street-smart reference is a must read!"
—Tony Lee, Editor-in-Chief, careers.wsj.com

Praise For Job Hunting For Dummies

"Max Messmer's cutting-edge job hunting guide taps the expertise of his company, which places thousands of job seekers every year."
—George T. Shaheen, President/CEO, Webvan

"Max talks today, not yesterday. His advice can make the difference in putting you on top."
—Joyce Lain Kennedy, syndicated career columnist

Packed with job search tips and tactics

Finding and landing a good job is not always easy. You may find yourself in a knock-down, drag-out battle with other qualified candidates. How do you give yourself an edge? Job Hunting For Dummies shows you step-by-step how to set yourself apart from the competition — and get the job you really want.

Discover how to:

• Determine what you want in a career
• Create standout cover letters
• Prepare resumes that get attention
• Research and find jobs on the Internet
• Make a great impression in an interview

Get smart! www.dummies.com Register to win cool prizes Browse exclusive articles and excerpts Get a free Dummies Daily e-mail newsletter Chat with authors and preview other books Talk to us, ask questions, get answers --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Running Press Miniature Editions; Min edition (February 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762409878
• ISBN-13: 978-0762409877
• Product Dimensions: 3.2 x 2.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,240,013 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, worth every penny, April 10, 2003

By 

Mediahound (SF Bay Area, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Job Hunting for Dummies, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

After several years of complete dedication to my career and to the company I was employed by, I experienced a layoff a few months back. Thus, I suddenly find myself back in the job market and felt ill-prepared to deal with it until I got this book.

I went on a few interviews but had been nervous about certain questions such as; do I tell them how much I was making at my last job? Do I write a "thank you for interviewing" me letter after the interview? etc, etc...

This book covers all the topics that you are nervous about. Examples; what to say in a cover letter, interviewing, salary negotiations + much more. Included are some useful sample resumés and cover letters in different formats.

After reading this book, I feel much more confident that I'm handling my job hunting in a more professional manner. I would recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a job, or even if you have a job but hate your boss and want another one.

In general, I like the For Dummies clear and concise and easy to read format. While there are some For Dummies books that have very little substance, this is not one of them.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A reliable starting point, May 11, 2005

By 

Chandra Prasad (New Haven, CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Job Hunting for Dummies, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

A job market author, I give this book five stars for its breadth. As it promises, it covers all its bases, helping the reader to organize the job search, prepare for an interview, hone a resume, and achieve myriad other successes in the process of finding that dream position. Job Hunting for Dummies could offer more in the way of up-to-date technological information--more on online job sites, posting your resume on the Internet, the proper protocol for emailing a potential employer, etc.--but perhaps more detailed tips will be provided in a later edition. Overall, Messmer achieves what he sets out to do: he gives the reader a solid starting point.

3.0 out of 5 stars "Updated in 2011" books should not reference dial-up modems, August 23, 2011

By 

Dave Budin - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Job Hunting For Dummies (Kindle Edition)

This was my very 1st book that I got for my new Kindle so for $10 it was not a total waste. I loved the Kindle experience and found myself rocketing through this book. Unfortunately the publisher was disingenuous in saying that this was updated in 2011. It seems like it has no updates since it was initially published in 1999.

I could not stop laughing as the book urged me to get a 28.8 modem and sign on to AOL. Make sure you fax your thank you letter in. Scant attention to searching online for jobs. Constant urging to buy more related "...for Dummies" books. Suggestions to buy job periodicals for hundreds of dollars. Oh, and did I mention it NEVER ONCE suggested a free resource that we all used call "Craigslist"?

I found the publisher and author extremely lazy and Amazon dishonest in not giving the unemployed job-seeker a 2011-era book. That said....

There is some good stuff in here despite the author constantly self-promoting studies that his company authorized. BTW, if the author is reading this, how about ditching the "hysterical" lists of dumb things that people do or say on resumes or in interviews. It's boring, not funny and you're just padding the pages. BTW, Amazon how about adding real page #s on this book?

There is good advice and tips for the minutiae of tailoring your resume and cover letter and how to dress and talk on your interview. This book is mainly geared to young people right out of college and needing some coaching as to the many things you need to do to adapt to the new realities of the job market. It also has many tips for those deep in the workforce how to adjust to re-market yourself in a competitive marketplace.

You might want to borrow this from a library but if you like the immediate gratification of a Kindle download I would say get it. But get ready to roll your eyes about this pre-broadband, pre-high speed wifi world the author lives in.....