Novel Addictions

 

While Miller’s book certainly gave me some new insight into how to look for a job, he points out that his book is meant for a “hard sell” on a product: you. Unfortunately, if you’re not a salesperson, this isn’t easy. The steps are laid out chapter by chapter. The first half of the book really lays out the groundwork for the definition of work, our past conceptions of the job search process, and today’s misinterpretations of a “good” job.

All of that is fine and dandy, but give me the good stuff.

Several chapters in, Miller gets into the actual meat and potatoes of the book: resumés, interviews, and follow-ups. The most helpful information I gleaned from this is that while a resumé is a great way to get your foot in the door for an interview, it is not going to land you the job. And while it seems only to be common sense that your personality will actually get you the interview, you’d be surprised at what wrong things people will say in them (and Miller provides plenty o’ examples). He explains that 85% of getting the job is how you sell yourself and how well your interviewing techniques are sharpened. He also says you should make contact with the hiring manager (not HR, personnel, etc.) at least three times in order to make yourself remembered by the person in charge of hiring. Again, this is a classic selling technique–one used by salespeople the world over.

All in all, if you aren’t comfortable with narrowing down your companies of choice, making direct contact with persons within the company, and making a “hard sell” of yourself, this book may not be helpful for you but may point out some parts of the job search that you weren’t previously aware of.

Visit Dan Miller’s website at 48Days.com.