The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Work (Paperback)

by Joshua Piven (Author) "Arrive early for your morning interview and observe the workers as they arrive..." (more)
Key Phrases: workplace emergencies, dowel rod, Human Resources

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The latest addition to this wildly popular series continues-surprisingly-to display the wit, style and plain-old smart-ass insight of its multiple predecessors. The secret to Piven's and Borgenicht's success seems to be in maintaining, at all costs, a dead-pan and practical approach to survival techniques in ever-wilder scenarios (though, considering that these are "survival" guides, wilder in this case actually means increasingly mundane). Thus, in this volume-based on the assumption that we spend "so much time in the work environment that the odds are staggering that something is going to go wrong while you are there"-the authors provide precise instructions on how to survive working in a cubicle, being trapped in a bathroom or walk-in freezer, and getting caught "slacking" ("Blame your browser" is one suggestion for habitual Web-surfers). Helpful hints on how to survive an interview are balanced with equally helpful, but funnier, tips on how to ditch a meeting ("If you are planning to crawl under the table, wear loose-fitting clothes"). From dealing with a "nightmare" boss or co-worker to escaping from a lion cage, and from removing a tie caught in a document feeder to treating a finger cut on a deli slicer (step one: "Turn off the slicer"), the authors know the secrets.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
Work is bad enough, but what if things go really wrong? The Worst-Case Scenario authors come to the rescue with expert advice for surviving dozens of nightmare on-the-job scenarios, whether in the office or on the loading dock. From savage bike messengers to a bag of pretzels stuck in the lunchroom vending machine, peril is everywhere. Learn how to sneak out of a meeting, treat a deep-fryer burn, and survive a stockroom avalanche. Expertly remove a dent from the company car, extract a tie caught in the photocopier, and survive a workplace romance. Hands-on, step-by-step instructions guide you through these and other crises that can strike between 9 and 5, or on the swing shift. With an appendix of useful interview phrases, a career-path decoder, instructions for playing Jargon Bingo, and more, this is the one desk reference you can’t live without.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811835758
• ISBN-13: 978-0811835756
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #283,705 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This item is part of The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Right in the middle of ......, February 17, 2005

By	ServantofGod - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I bought the "original" "The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook". I loved its humor and so I gave this one a try. I cant say it's bad. However, it's somehow much more serious than the original one, thus less humorous and fun. The problem is: it's not indepth nor detailed enough to cover, in my opinion as a white collar for over 15 years, 1/5 of the common difficulties in an office.

In short, if you really wanna improve your survival opportunities in your job, there are many better alternatives in a bookstore. If you just wanna have fun, this is definitely not a good choice. Therefore, not recommended. If you really wanna buy it, I sincerely suggest you to read the "See sample pages" here on Amazon for a quick look of what those "tips" refer to.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Silly, entertaining, but may actually be useful to someone!, December 30, 2003

By	Catherine Hallberg "(Kate)" (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Everyone has had dreadful bosses, scary or annoying co-workers, and everyone has felt that they arent' qualified for at least one job for which they are interviewing. Fewer of us get to sneak out of meetings- although many would love to!, or how to get out of various small places one could get trapped in. I personally really loved the section on "How to fix a Dented Company Vehicle" since my Volvo has a few dings I'd love to see gone.

The non-emergencies might be do-able; you might remember the various steps needed to pull those things off when you need a status-enhancing rumor to start flying around the workplace. Sadly, the emergencies will likely catch you unaware and you won't have the handy smooth edged guidebook in your pocket to pull out just as the office supplies start avalanching down upon you. Alas.

I was writing this review in order to be able to move the book out of my house when I decided I might need a refresher on some of these things. After all, someday soon my children will grow up and I'll need this book in case I decide to be a slacker! Just kidding!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars listen to this on your way to work, July 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Work (The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook Series) (Audio CD)

This is a great book that all people in the work force should read but why read it when you can listen to it. I listened on my commute to work-- its unabridged (so you don't miss a thing) It is entertaining & no matter what your profession is..you will be able to relate to the funny but true advice in this book

I actually bought another copy for my neice who just graduated college-- and she loved it too!