Customer Reviews

Outwitting the Job Market: Everything You Need to Locate and Land a Great Position

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

During the 1980s and 1990s, I read just about every job book published. Of all those books, What Color is Your Parachute? and Don't Send A Resume stand out in my memory. And now I can add a third.

When I first came across this book, I recognized Chandra Prasad's name because I had read her in the Wall Street Journal countless times.

This book was well-researched, and it helps the reader connect the dots. I've read books where the author admonishes the reader, "Make sure you research the company! Look them up in Value Line!" I've been on dozens of interviews and have found this advice completely worthless. You probably have, also. This made me think maybe I could write such drivel and sell a book.

Quite frankly, you won't impress an interviewer just because you can rattle off the names of the members of the Board of Directors or quote from the company's last annual report. If anything, you will just irritate this person--especially if you don't know other things that you should know.

Ms. Prasad took a different approach, telling us what kind of information to look for when researching a company. As I read this, I thought, "Yes! This is exactly what a job seeker needs to know!" And so it went throughout the book.

Ms. Prasad's practical advice takes you through the entire job search process, starting with a personal inventory--a step most people shortchange because they don't understand how to do it. And they pay for that shortcut with longer job searches and shorter stretches of employment. That consequence is true of each step in the job search process, actually. Which is why the approach of this book is so valuable to anybody who is in the job market. Most people let the job market beat them, but this book shows you how to beat the job market--just as its title implies. If you want to win this particular battle of wits, you need to be well-armed--and this book is a regular Howitzer.

If you hold a job, you are likely to be looking for one soon. If you are looking for a job, you will likely be looking again. If you are spending your time massaging your resume, you will be looking for a while. If you take the time to read and apply this book, you will shorten your job search and lengthen your subsequent employment.

In the past, having a job interview has been a fear-inspiring event. Not only have I been unable to sleep the night before an interview, but the following evening has also caused me insomnia: how was I supposed to answer that question? what were they looking for? are my chances for getting a job ruined?
This book has given me a new edge. Not only was the witty writing enjoyable to read, but I no longer look at interviews (and interviewers!) as obstacles on the windy road to employment. Now I have an understanding of what is being expected of me and of how I can frame myself in the most positive light when asked unusual questions.
Additionally, the sections in this guide dealing with the job-seeking blues have been particularly timely. To get my current position, I had to interview and apply to well over sixteen companies. The tips in this guide about networking and following up were what finally landed me a position as a property manager in a firm that I really enjoy.
To the author: Thank You!

In a tight job market you need all the help you can get. Chandra Prasad offers insightful and practical strategies to land the job you want by helping you through the whole process--from resume, to interview, to negotiation. This is an essential guide anyone will find valuable and needed. Chandra is a true expert and a great writer!

Whether you are out of job or you have one, if you are looking for a new job this a book one cannot miss. There are thousands of books in the market that talk about job search, but this one has a very practical approach and covers all aspects. The direct interview comments are very helpful.

I am junior in college and had no idea what to do. The career center is loaded with books but they are all very specific - specific to resume building, specific to interviews, specific to job research, etc. and they are humongous. When you see these volumes any desire to start (oh so attractive) job search process evaporates really fast.

Well, this is where I saw this book, Outwitting, in my buddy's dorm room. I glanced through it and it is like Cliff Notes for everything that there is about the job search. It has EVERYTHING in it. I borrowed his book and later had to get my own.

The book walks you through the complete process: from "What AM I" through "Where do I want to be" with "How to lay it out on paper" through "Whom do I know" through "How to make them work for me" etc. It guides you every step of the way: interviews, salary negotiations, post interview activities, etc. AND it is loaded with small tips on everything. So on the top of guiding you through, it will give you little pointers that I would have never known about. AND the key is that every chapter could be read separately. So that if you are half way through the search process and do not want to read the specific 500-pages book about Interview Follow Ups or anything like that, pick up Outwitting and start reading the chapter there. In 30 minutes you will know all that you need to know.

Of course if you want to have a Doctorate in any of the subjects and you have months to study Resume writing, than get yourself one of those 500 pagers. However as my good friend is saying, "you have to learn how to walk before you get to run". This is the book that will WALK YOU through the process at a speed of running.

Just helped me in my salary re-negotiations. I love those preparation tips.

Outwitting the Job Market provides a solid fundamental approach to the job search. It covers most of the core elements such as resumes, networking, interviewing and negotiating. However, in today's market you need a compelling business case to convince companies to create positions for you. In your interviews you need to be able to quantify the Return on Investment (ROI) that you bring to the table so interviewers want to hire you. This is where this book falls a bit short. This book is a great resource for college graduates and entry level positions.

With a title like that, one expects at least a couple of go-against-the-flow tips or pieces of advice. Don't look here for that, though - this book is the dullest one I've read yet on getting good jobs. Totally prosaic advice - seriously, just visit ehow and yahoo answers for this quality of advice. Want to blend right in and make sure you do nothing new? Follow this book's advice.

I read the book, threw it in the garbage, and posted a picture on facebook to warn my friends away.

On the other hand, Orville Pierson's book Highly Effective Networking (despite its rather dull title) is amazing! That one I can recommend wholeheartedly. I've had many jobs and sold many projects, and the way he teaches you to build new networks AND use your existing network is nothing short of fantastic.

just gave this book to my college graduate and it really helped him polish his skills and gain more confidence for the whole process

Well if you have something really going for you, this is a good book. If you have had a hard life like mine with few resources this book will depress you. However I don't think you have fallen to my depths, thus the three stars. The only degree needed to write this book is a degree of common sense, and if you have that, ha you don't need this book, because you already know, it is not what you know, it is who you know. On the other hand if you have been in college most of your life, you really need to read this book.