Guerrilla Job Hunting

How to write a non-fiction book review on Amazon.

I have to admit this is an unusual post for me. It's not about you.  It's about me.  Or more precisely about my book, "Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters".  Which when I think about it is really about you and your job search.   I digress...

Quite a few people have emailed me lately to ask how to write a review for my book on Amazon.  So today I'm going to walk you through the steps so that I can refer people to this post.  By-the-way the mechanics for posting a review are the same for ANY book you read on Amazon. 

As an author I'm telling you that there's nothing more gratifying than seeing a 5-Star book review on Amazon.  It means I've connected and helped you.  In geek terms I GROCK you!  Again I digress. 

Here goes.

In my opinion here’s what Amazon readers are looking for in terms of information and commentary that will be useful to readers who are trying to decide if a particular book suits their interests.  i.e. will they actually read and get value from your recommended books).

how to write an amazon book review

• 1st a few suggestions on what to write to get you thinking
• 2nd understand the mechanics for writing a review

suggestions on what to write in a non-fiction book review

The easiest way to write a review is to think about the person reading your review.   

• Take my last book for example; the person reflecting on your review is very likely:
• Looking for job themselves
• Looking for information for a friend or relative that’s in job hunting mode
• A career or guidance counselor who’s adding to their library of job hunting, resume writing and cover letters books.

They want to discover a better way to write their resume, find job leads faster or network better using social media tools like LinkedIn, Facebook and MySpace.  Maybe how to build a blog quickly, use Twitter, or creative new ways to get in front of a hiring manager – without being blocked by gatekeepers or getting stuck in human resources. 

In short, they’re looking for an edge. 

So with that in mind the first question you have to ask yourself is what where the “take aways” or the “Ah-Ha” moments in the book for you.  Next, would you recommend the book to your best friend if they were job hunting?  So now, you need to tell the reader.

Here are some possible ideas to start you off:

• Did you like the book? Was it written in a style you liked? If it was highly technical were there examples?  Were they good examples?  Were there references or links to additional information? 
• Is the author credible?  Did they know the subject matter?  Did they bring anything new to the discussion or body of knowledge?

example

For example, if you wanted to write a book review for Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0, here are some questions which you might reflect on in order to help you write a review which will be meaningful to those people who will read the review: 

1. What was your personal situation?  Where you employed and looking?  Unemployed? How long had you been looking?
2. Did the ideas in the book accelerate your progress? 
3. Did the ideas help you get interviews?
4. Did you find a job? How quickly?
5. Think about the type of job you were looking for – which of the 1001 tips, tricks and tactics worked best for you? 
6. Did it force/challenge you to change old habits?
7. How did you apply the personal branding section?
8. Did your Guerrilla Resume get an employers attention?
9. Did you engage in eXtreme Networking activities, create a LinkedIn profile or start a blog?
10. Did the chapter on interviewing {Hand to Hand Combat} help prepare you?  How?
11. Was there a chapter/vignette/antidote that struck a chord with you?
12. What was your favorite part of the book or what was the most useful section for you?
13. Did the book spark your creativity and led you to develop fresh ideas on your own which lead to interviews?
14. How did the book affect you?
15. Were any previous ideas you had on the subject changed, abandoned, or reinforced due to this book?
16. How well has the book achieved its goal?
17. How did you originally hear about the book: friend, networking event, or counselor?
18. Did you like the author and contributing co-author’s styles?
19. Did you like the War Stories?  Anyone in particular? Why?

 

another  suggestion

I suggest you write a first draft in your word processor and then when you’re comfortable with it, cut and paste it in to the text box [step 5 below] BUT mostly I suggest you write it from the heart and not just your logical mind. 

the mechanics for writing an amazon book review

To create a book review - the easy way - please follow these exact steps:

1. First and most importantly, you have to have bought the book and read it. Don't write a review for a book you haven’t read.  It does no good for anyone including the author.
2. Find the book you want to review on Amazon and find the "Product Details" section.   This is where it tells how many pages the book has, who the publisher is and the average customer review.[For example - Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters-  http://tinyurl.com/mxzupw ]
3. Click on the "Write a review" link located right next to the "Average Customer Review" information.
4. Rate the book on a scale from 1 to 5 stars, with 1 being worst and 5 being best.
5. Enter a title for your review.  That could be an overall statement about how you felt about the book.
6. Enter the full text of the review in the provided text box.
7. NOTE: If you're a friend of the author say so.  If you received the book from the author to review it - say so.  People don't mind those types of reviews but you need to tell the reader or your review has no credibility OR worse someone buys the book and feels "had", which destroys the review process Amazon has set up. 
8. Certify that you are over the age of 13 (and thereby allowed to contribute a review) by checking the appropriate box.

 

That’s it.  If you followed these steps your review will appear within 24 hours on Amazon. 

David Perry

 

Look Only For Jobs That Excite You

Here’s the story of “Tommy” (not his real name), who is making a critical, but common, mistake in is job search. It’s robbing him of the satisfaction and salary he deserves.

 

Tommy first called me three weeks ago, asking if I could help him write a resume. He said he wanted a pharmaceutical sales job, but he had no experience in sales or health science.

 

When I asked him why he wanted to enter the field, he said he heard it was interesting work and, besides, his aunt and a cousin made good money at it.

 

Fine. But he said nothing about actually WANTING to do this job. When I pressed him further, he replied: “Everyone says I should give pharmaceutical sales a shot.”

 

Tommy is setting himself up for misery by pursuing a job based on the “helpful” advice of others, as opposed to his own gut instincts.

 

Quick solution: go over to www.hotjobs.com or www.monster.com and search for jobs using the 3 skills you most enjoy using. Examples: sales, customer service, management … or training, writing, translation.

 

See how many advertised job listings pop up. Are the job titles you see similar to the jobs you’re hunting? Good – there’s a match between what you enjoy doing and what you want to do next.

 

If you don’t turn up jobs that match your 3 favorite skills, it’s time for some soul searching. You can refine your skills (change “training” to “teaching” for example) or search for jobs using entirely new ones.

 

Let these job boards tell you what the market demand is for your favored areas of expertise. But ultimately, you should decide to pursue a job based on what you LOVE to do, not what you SHOULD do.

 

 

Action Step: Unless you’re passionately committed to the job you seek, you won’t pursue it with enough gusto to be successful in the long run. Follow your passion.

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.

Career Combat: How to get the job you want even when no one is hiring.

The 5 STEPS for converting your job search into a -  job found are:

1. You know what to do;
2. You have the desire to do it;
3. You are willing to do it;
4. You are able to do it; and
5. Finally, you get out and do it.

FREE audio CD gets you hired, even in "The Great Recession of 2009." Grab your Free CD of our recession-proof Guerrilla Job Search tips

Email Your Resume Correctly

If you email your resume to employers and they can’t open or read it, what chance do you have of getting called for an interview?

 

Roughly zero.

 

So, how can you e-mail your resume to ensure that employers can read it?

 

For best results, send your resume INSIDE and ATTACHED to your e-mail. That way, even if you have Windows and the employer has a Mac, for example, you're sure that your documents can be read.

 

Follow these steps before e-mailing your resume to employers:

1. copy and paste the text of your resume and cover letter into the body of an e-mail;
2. attach the document (in Word or WordPerfect) to the e-mail;
3. send a test message to yourself and a friend, to see how the whole thing will look and print -- if it's a mess, adjust and test until it works.

 

 

Action Step: Practice emailing your resume following the instructions above. Send it to at least 2 friends and ask them to report on what they see. Do this until you’re 100% certain you’re emailing your resume correctly.

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.

Corporate Heroes - FlightNetwork.com

The recession is a Game Changer for millions of unemployed people. 

You'd have to be living under a rock not to notice the changes in the job market. 

Now finally a few corporations are coming to the rescue of job hunters.  Hat's off to FlightNetwork.com  who have been offering job hunters discounts on flights for job interviews.

Of course doing so is smart business because eventually job hunters become job holders and will remember their generosity and thoughtfulness.  

Let's hope others follow Naman Budhdeo's lead and embrace future customers in this manner.

David Perry

Desperate times call for ... creativity!!

Lee Silber is one of my favorite authors.  [Yes writers have favorite authors as too.]  I've always  enjoyed Lee's books because he makes sense.  He's just downright practical. 

Lee has nothing to do with the "employment market".  He's not a resume writer or job search coach.  I want you to read a piece he wrote talking about ordinary people like you and me who did something creative to get noticed. 

Lee's piece features among others the story of the Johnson brothers (Johnson & Johnson), Dave Matthews Band, The Grateful Dead, Kathy Najimy, Sara McLachlan, and Helmut Lang.  All of whom were desperate and responded by doing something different. {I'll give you a link to the article soon enough but I have something to say first.}

Why do I want you to read about something that's not job hunting related?

Because desperate times call for - CREATIVITY.  And the job search industry needs to stop writing in their client's resumes that they're "creative, entrepreneurial, different" and show them how to actually demonstrate that with their resume and their approach to job hunting.  Because desperate times call for - CREATIVITY.

Why do so many authors preach from on high that there's only one way to do things and that's their way?

Resume writing is a good example.  There are hundreds of books on resume writing and thousands of online resume writers who've had at least one of their resumes published in one of those books.  The accepted format of black text on white paper hasn't changed for years.  Okay, some suggest "cream" colored paper.  Yippee! 

Boring!

Just like your old B&W television.

I ditched my black & white television years ago.  Why?  Come on... color brings action to life.  You know that.  And sports in High Definition is so much more real.  Rock concerts in stereo or surround-sound makes you feel like your there. No what I mean!

Why then, do you persist in writing resumes like your grandfather did? 

Oh yeah, sorry, granddad only worked at one company.  He lived in a century where you worked for one company all your life. 

That's so 2000 and late! 

The old social contract between employee and employer - do a good job for the company and we'll take care of you - got shredded decades ago.  You're now referred to as "human capital", as if you can be moved around the shop-room floor in order to maximize your employers revenues.

You can't take your employment for granted anymore.  You know you have to actively manage your brand to stay "top of mind" and fully employed.  You have to become a master marketer, able stick out and being found.

So if You need to become a master marketer to keep an edge, I have to ask...

Why hasn't the resume writing industry kept up? 

They don't type your perfect resume on manual typewriters anymore.  So what's up? Who says you must have a 2-3 page resume consisting of black text on white paper? Your mother? Neighbor? Best friend?  HR? The resume consultant you found on the Internet?

Who???

Authors and wannabee anything-but-a-resume-writer-but-couldn't-get-another-job-but-this-one-rewriting-resumes... that's who. 

Come on! Seriously now, they have to tow the company line.   They sell books based on their methods or the methods of some other guru.  They have to sell books and encourage their resume and job search coaching clients to parrot the guru's methods to make a living.  That's how they make a living and it is a very big business indeed.

How's your black & white industry accepted perfect resume working for you? 

Got a lot of calls this week?  Go on a lot of interviews?  Have to turn down any offers because they just weren't quite perfect?

Sorry, I didn't think so. 

But it's not you.  It's not your fault.  It's your resume. 

You're brilliant! Spectacular! An achievement based mover and shaker!  But your resume makes you look like all the rest. So I have to ask...

When are you going to break away from the pack and try something new and innovative?

Are you going to wait until your car gets repossessed?  You lose your house?  Your spouse? Or worse your TV?  When your "social assistance" gets cut off? When!

What's it going to take to jolt you out of your doing-the-same-thing comfort level? 

Before they take away your color TV and you have to bring the B&W one up out of the basement I want you to read Lee's Q&A section on his web site.  I'll give you the link in a moment. 

Aren't you a write too Dave?

Yes.  And by-the-way "Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0" is my 3rd book.  But NO, I  don't tour around the country selling books for a living.  I don;t write resumes for aliviing and I certainly don;t coach job hunters for a living.

I'm a Head-hunter.  One of America's best - the Wall Street Journal said so nicknaming me the Rogue Recruiter last year - you can read about it on my web site www.perrymartel.com.  I have made my living as a professional recruiter for more than 20 years. 

I may be a simple head-hunter but I know exactly what it takes to get noticed and get hired.  AND it isn't a dull boring resume.  People get hiored when they get in front of an employer and make a case for themselves.  So, it's You telling them what you're going to do for them...

And you can't get in front of an employer anymore with conventional thinking.  Need more?  Get your copy of this free audio CD i did with Mark Haluska  and Kevin Donlin here: www.gm4jh.com

Now, as promised here is the link to Lee's site and this article: http://www.leesilber.com/HTML/Free_Readers_Write.htm

Please read it. Be inspired.  Go be creative!  Get a job you love and then help others breakaway from the ordinary.. because desperate times call for - CREATIVITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

David Perry

Managing Partner Perry-Martel international Inc. and co-author, Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0

How To Recover From A Bad Job Interview

You got the interview. You went to the interview. You blew the interview.

Sound familiar?

Lots of folks come home beating themselves up after getting stumped with tough questions and coming up short in a job interview.

But here’s good news.

You can still get a job offer, even if you interviewed poorly. Do this by using your thank-you letter as an opportunity to recover and re-sell your skills.

Here’s how one client of mine did that brilliantly, and was offered a position at higher pay just a few weeks ago, despite the intense competition for jobs in this recession.

“I interviewed for a job I really wanted. But I was angry with myself afterwards because I realized I didn’t sell myself as well as I should have,” says Shelly, a high-tech sales rep from Minneapolis.

So Shelly wrote the following “recovery letter” and emailed it to all three of the hiring managers she had interviewed with. She did that on a Friday. She received a job offer the following Tuesday.

Thank you for taking the time last Friday to interview me for the sales position.

I am very impressed with XYZ Corp., from both a business and cultural standpoint. It is obvious to me that XYZ has an exceptionally bright future and I would like to be an integral part of it.

You mentioned in our interview that a fast start is essential for the person you hire. Since history typically repeats itself, I have noted a few of my accomplishments at former employers below.

 here is no question I can/will do the same for you.”

Shelly then went on to list her top 2-3 achievements for each of her previous three employers, focusing on what she accomplished in the first few weeks on the job.

Examples from her letter:

 

ACE Electronics

First year in the position I ranked #1 in the country. My quota was $6.2 million; I ended the year with 9.3 million. 

 

DEF Consulting

In my first 30 days I won a 6-month contract for 5 consultants that resulted in $360,000 in business within my first year.

 

GHI Group

In my first 90 days, I produced a Web project for $25,000 that turned into a $35,000 project and an additional proposal in the pipeline for a supply chain project proposed at $65,000.

Shelly succeeded by using her thank-you letter to prove she could do that job she had just interviewed for.

 Action Step: Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t knock their socks off in your next job interview. Instead, feel good about yourself. After all, they thought highly enough of you to call you for an interview in the first place, right?

 Then, go home and prove they were right – and that you deserve the job – by writing a “recovery” letter that resells your skills and proves you can do the job.

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.

Avoid The 2 Most Common Resume Blunders

Mistake #1: Focusing on you and your needs.

This is the worst mistake you can make. Unfortunately, it's also the most common.

Look, no employer wants to hire you. Employers hate hiring! They only hire employees when they have problems to solve. And no employer wants to spend a lot of time hiring you, either, just as you wouldn't want to spend more time in a dentist's chair than you had to.

 

So, your résumé must quickly answer the one question that's on every employer's mind: "What can you do for me?"

 

Unfortunately, most résumés don't.

 

Most résumés start out like this: "Seeking a position where I can utilize my skills in an atmosphere with potential for career advancement ..." And so on. This sounds fine and logical to the person writing the résumé. But it completely alienates the person READING the résumé. Because this person -- your potential employer -- has his own problems. He could care less about your career aspirations or desire to make more money.

 

Instead, tell the employer how you can add value to his/her operations, or contribute to efficiency. Notice this opening summary again:

 

SUMMARY

Seeking a position where 10 years of sales, marketing and management experience will add value to operations.

 

Now, what employer wouldn't want to talk to someone like you, who's offered to add value to his operations? You could also say: "... will contribute to operations" or "... will add to profitability." The exact words don't matter. What does matter is your focus on helping the employer meet his goals. If you do that, your career will advance and you'll make more money.

 

Mistake #2: Focusing on responsibilities instead of results.

While it's important to tell the reader what you've done at each job, it's far more important to spend most of your time talking about what you accomplished and how you made yourself valuable to past employers.

 

It's easy to do. Just think back on your daily duties. What good things happened when you did your job well? Write them down! Focus on results. The more specific, the better!

 

Instead of saying this: "Responsibilities included (but were not limited to) implementation of policies and procedures, training of new employees, interfacing with subordinates and vendors, and light correspondence duties."

 

Say this: "Worked with staff and vendors to increase product turnover by 15% and sales by 23% in five months. Also trained 14 new employees, five of whom were rapidly promoted."

 

 

Action Step: I’ve read close to 5,000 resumes over the years, and more than 80% made one or both of these blunders. Avoiding them will put your resume ahead of the pack.

 

NOTE: you can download a proven how-to guide on resume writing, with dozens of copy-and-paste examples. It’s called Resume and Cover Letter Secrets Revealed and you can find it at this link – www.gresumes.com/book.htm

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.

Avoid 4 Job Interview Blunders

The following tips are from my conversation with Carole, the Job Interview Coach for Monster.com and the most capable interview expert I know, with 15 years of human resources management experience (www.interviewcoach.com).

 

 

Blunder #1: Poor Non-Verbal Communication

“Interviewing effectively is about demonstrating confidence. Things like standing straight, making eye contact, and connecting with a good, firm handshake are all vitally important,” says Martin.

 

Think of it like this: we humans have only been using words for the past 10,000 years or so, right? Before that, we communicated by grunting, posturing and clubbing each other over the head.

 

We humans have been paying attention to non-verbal cues for many thousands of years longer than we have verbal ones. It’s in our genes.

 

The person who interviews you is no different. That's why your body language plays such a vital role in shaping the first impression you make. It can be a great beginning to your interview. Or a quick ending.

 

Practice accordingly.

 

 

Blunder #2: Failure to Listen Actively 

“From the moment you start talking, your interviewer is giving you information, either directly or indirectly. If you are not listening actively, you’re missing out on a major opportunity,” says Martin.

 

Make sure you take copious notes, jotting down every key phrase and idea that your interviewer uses. Doing so will demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job, your attention to detail … and it will help you recall what is said. So you won’t ask a question that’s already been answered, for example.

 

Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what they said. Observe your interviewer and match their style and pace.

 

 

Blunder #3: Talking Too Much

“Telling the interviewer more than they need to know can be a fatal mistake. Candidates who don’t prepare ahead of time tend to ramble, sometimes talking themselves right out of the job,” says Martin.

 

Remember that you’re at the job interview to get information as much as you are to give it.

 

“Prepare for the interview by reading the job posting thoroughly. Try to focus on the skills you have that match the requirements of the position, and relate only that information,” says Martin.

 

 

Blunder #4: Appearing Desperate

This can be tough to avoid in the current job market. After all, you need a job! But you must rein in your emotions.

 

“As a rule, if you interview with a ‘Please, please, hire me,’ mind-set, you will appear less confident. Maintain the three Cs during your next interview: Cool, Calm, and Confident! You know you can do the job. Make sure the interviewer knows you can, too,” says Martin.

 

 

Action Step: Follow these 4 bits of hard-won interview advice, gained during 20+ years of HR experience. Nearly all the job seekers I speak with try to “wing it” during interviews … and nearly all of them regret it later. Don’t make that mistake. Heed Carole’s advice.

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.

 

Great article on LinkedIn Etiquette for Business Professionals

Ten Rules of LinkedIn Etiquette for Business Professionals

Unlike Facebook and the like, LinkedIn is strictly a social network for professionals with over 48 million members in over 200 countries. Working like a sophisticated online business card, members from those new to the workforce all they way to CEO’s of Fortune 500 companies utilize the free service. However, there is a right and wrong way to do it, and below are the top ten rules of LinkedIn Etiquette for Business professionals. 

MORE

You Are More Qualified Than You Think

Job search expert James Adams, based in California, once advised an applicant to talk about her hobby as a private pilot when interviewing for a position at a utility company.

 

Why?

 

The job required a manager to oversee a plant delivering electricity to consumers across California. Making the wrong decision -- or no decision -- would put thousands of people in the dark.

 

As a private pilot, this woman had safely landed a crippled aircraft not once, but twice. Had she not made the right decisions fast, while focusing on a solution, she wouldn't have survived.

 

By proving her decision-making ability, which transferred easily from piloting to power plant management, she aced out dozens of other applicants -- and got the job.

 

 

Action Step: I’ll say it again -- you are more qualified than you think.

 

If you need confirmation of this, ask the opinion of at least 3 friends or family members whose judgment you trust. They can provide insights on how your hobbies, interests and experience (paid or unpaid) have given you a valuable set of skills.

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.

 

Walk Right In, Sit Right Down

Robbie Brawner Ouzts, Director of Career Services at Oglethorpe University, tells the story of a gung-ho job seeker who got hired after walking into a job interview meant for somebody else! “An administrative professional, we’ll call her, ‘Shirley,’ got so frustrated after sending out resumes with no response that she decided to call on companies in person.” At 10:00 one morning, she walked into the lobby of a local business. Unknown to her, the hiring manager was expecting another woman for a 10:00 job interview. “Shirley walked in and looked dressed for an interview, so the employer thought it was his 10:00 appointment. He started talking to her and thought she was wonderful,” says Ouzts. After 10 minutes, the hiring manager realized his mistake, but Shirley handed him her resume for review. The interview continued … and she got a job as an office manager. What about that candidate who was originally scheduled to interview at 10:00? “She never did show up,” says Ouzts. Action Step: Shirley’s stroke of good fortune seems pretty incredible, like winning the job lottery. But before you dismiss her tactic as something that could never happen to you, understand this critical point: Shirley created her this break all by herself. Put another way, this could have never happened to Shirley if she had spent that morning at home in front of the TV, sulking about her job search. You can literally make your own luck if you get proactive and seek out hiring managers in person. If you’re at all reluctant about calling on employers in person, you have company. The thought of cold calling can be intimidating. Yet, ask yourself this: if you go out to meet hiring managers, what’s the worst that could happen? They say no. Big deal. Dust yourself off, and try again. But what’s the worst that can happen if you sit idly at home and wait for the phone to ring with job offers? The bank could foreclose on your mortgage. Your landlord could evict you. Your significant other could leave you for someone else. Hmm. That’s an easy choice, isn’t it?

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.

When the Guru Smacks You on the Head, Take it Like a Man

Great advice is great advice no matter where it comes from and no matter who it was originally intended for.

Here's an article by one of my favorite business gurus - Perry Marshall - on coaching.  Actually no, it's on learning and being open to being open to learn from the best even when people already think you're the best.  the article is oh so  very applicable to job hunters - especially all those stuck in the old ways of job hunting hunting and networking.  When you're finished with the piece surf over to my web site and download our free audio CD on job hunting {Guerrilla Job Search Tips!}

Read Perry Marshall's article for yourself and listen to his advice on how to improve your performance - it's so applicable to job hunters. MORE

My smartest advice for Job Hunters: ZoomInfo

After our interview with The Wall Street Journal, David Perry tells job hunters why you must get on Zoominfo.com. Also, spend your time researching the 10-15 companies you want to work for, because...

Network Smarter, Not Harder

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again – networking is how 70-80% of the best jobs are filled. But in today’s economy, don’t expect a plum position to fall in your lap. You must network smartly and more creatively. “Try calling on vendors and suppliers who know of companies that might be hiring. These include your local banker, CPA, lawyer and real estate agent. These people all have a great deal of knowledge,” says Bob Picha, founder of San-Diego-based Ideas At Work, a company dedicated to the release of human potential in individuals and organizations. When you call or meet networking contacts, ask for names of growing companies who could use someone with your experience. Ask for a contact person at the target employer(s), but avoid the HR department, since they often act as gatekeepers and may shun you. Action Step: Call people who may owe you a favor for past business you’ve done with them. This makes them more likely to assist by helping you find companies that are hiring.

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.

Read The Paper, But Not The Want Ads

Here are 3 ways to locate job openings using free resources at your disposal.

 

I interviewed Bob Picha, founder of San-Diego-based Ideas At Work, a company dedicated to the release of human potential in individuals and organizations.

 

Based on 30 years of career-consulting experience, Bob’s insights are sure to surprise – and more importantly – help you find a job faster.

 

Research is your first step in ferreting out job openings. And since almost everyone gets a daily newspaper, why not start there? But don’t spend a lot of time on the want ads, advises Picha.

 

“I take an indirect approach in looking for companies that might be hiring. For example, I skimmed today’s Wall Street Journal and found these tidbits: 

• “Toyota now wants 15% of global market share, which means they’ll be expanding worldwide and perhaps hiring locally; 
• “China is buying $1.2 billion in telecom equipment from Lucent and Motorola, which points to both firms needing new personnel; 
• “Earnings for Cendant rose 19%, so they may be hiring …

 

“The list goes on,” says Picha.

 

Two more ways to use the newspaper to uncover expanding businesses are: 

1. Monitor the business section for firms signing new commercial leases, a sure sign of a need for increased capacity, and
2. Look for companies receiving venture capital -- since it’s so difficult to get these days, such firms are likely to have a viable business model … and a need for new employees.

 

 

Action Step: With a little digging, you can uncover the employment clues that point you toward companies in need of new employees. And you’ll have almost NO competition, since 99% of job hunters look only to the help-wanted ads when they read the newspaper.

 

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.

What is the better “value,” the book Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0, the Guerrilla Job Search Home Study Course or the Guerrilla Job Seekers Boot Camp ?

This is Part 1 of a 4 Part Discussion.

I have been asked this question many times over by job seekers via email, a blog posting or in an informational phone call. Not to be presumptuous but what most people are really asking when I drill down is; what is the most economical way to become a Guerrilla at little or no cost. As a side note, Outplacement counseling is roughly a 3 Billion dollar business in North America.  

But back to the question: 

Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0 - is your best value “if” what one is really wants to know, “what is the cheapest” way Guerrilla tactics can be learned. For about the cost of taking three people to McDonalds for an Extra Value Meal, you can purchase the book and within days start putting to use the tactics that thousands of other people already have done to land their next job.

Imitation may be deemed the best form of flattery, but we’re finding and pursuing outplacement people /companies who are using our material and putting it out as their own. This practice IS NOT authorized for any reason, and a subject for later, but my point is that others are repurposing our information and are presenting it. That in and of itself should tell you something if one has to mull over the small cost of the book !

Quite frankly though, if you could invest in only one of our products, one "might" say there is a shortcoming to purchasing the book say as opposed to the Home Study Course or the 10 Week Guerrilla Job Seeker Boot Camp. (David is going to kill me for this :) 

The first down side is that the publisher of the book (Wiley Brothers) would permit only so many words that could be printed in order for Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0 to be retailed at a certain selling point. That is simply how things are done in the world of big time publishing. As a result, it was not possible to make the book as all-inclusive as we would have preferred.

In fact, there was enough material left over that we could easily put to market “Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.1, the unpublished chapters” if we chose to do so. (More about this exciting and unknown bit of news later in this 4 part article--- and how You can gain access to this information)

Also on the down side in regards “Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0” is the fact that the book was intended for people who will “on their own accord,” get off thier duffs, step away from their computer, stop reading endless job board listings and be daring enough to step out on a ledge and do things that others simply would not to attempt to do. I’m not talking about purchasing costly bill board space or walking around with a sandwich board strapped to your chest and back. Thankfully, we’re a little more sophisticated than that.

In the book we don’t ask job seekers to take any risks what-so-ever, but rather the reader is taught how to keep their opportunity funnel filled and genuinely stand apart from the crowd. The reader is also shown how to and deliver their value proposition in a clear and concise fashion that will garner the attention of the right people within an organization. So this book like any other informational publication where one has to literally “put words to action” is not for those who at least without being literally pushed, are reluctant to follow instructions to the letter.

Lastly, the single biggest down side of purchasing the book versus our other products, is that the reader is not entitled to have the advantage of receiving “free” phone access to author David Perry, or contributing co-authors, Kevin Donlin or myself (Mark J. Haluska) or all three of us together for that matter; to acquire additional one-on-one advice or coaching when it might be needed at a most critical moment in your job search.

Due to space limitations I have to run for now. Tomorrow I'll talk about the upside of investing in the book, Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters, 2.0  and why contrary to the belief of some, why the book is also very suitable for most blue collar workers !  

In closing, if someone you know is out of work and would benefit from our FREE audio on How to Land a Job Even in the Recession of 2009 (a $ 50 value) simply send them to my link at: http://tinyurl.com/cpkwha         Supplies are limited !

For information on corporate sponsored outplacement services, career coaching, resume assistance, the Guerilla Job Seekers 10 week boot camp, or if you would prefer personal one-on-one Guerrilla job search assistance, contact me at: theguerillajobcoach@comcast.net or 724-495-2733 for information.

Mark J. Haluska

• A Contributing Co-Author of "Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters" and "Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0," 1,001 Unconventional Tips, Tricks and Tactics for Landing your Dream Job.

* Certified Guerrilla Job Seeker Instructor

 

What is the better “value,” the book Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0, the Guerrilla Job Search Home Study Course or the Guerrilla Job Seekers Boot Camp ?

(This is Part 1 of a 4 Part Discussion)

Not to be presumptuous but Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0 - is your best value “if” what one eally wants to know, “what is the cheapest” way Guerrilla tactics can be learned. For about the cost of taking three people to McDonalds for an Extra Value Meal, you can purchase the book and within days start putting to use the tactics that thousands of other people already have done to land their next job.

Imitation may be deemed the best form of flattery, but we’re finding outplacement people /companies are using our material and presenting it as their own. This practice IS NOT authorized for any reason, and a subject for later, but my point is that others are repurposing our information and are presenting it. That in and of itself though should tell you something!

Now, on the down side, the publisher of the book (Wiley Brothers) would permit only so many words that could be printed in order for Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0 to be retailed at a certain selling point. That is simply how things are done in the world of big time publishing. As a result, it was not possible to make the book as all-inclusive as we would have preferred.

In fact, there was enough material left over that we could easily put to market “Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.1, the unpublished chapters” if we chose to. (More about this exciting and unknown bit of news later in this 4 part article--- and how You can gain access to this information)

Also on the down side in regards “Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0” is the fact that the book was intended for people who will “on their own accord,” get off their duff, walk  away from their computer, stop reading endless job board listings and be daring enough to step out on a ledge and do things that others simply would not to attempt to do. I’m not talking about purchasing costly bill board space or walking around with a sandwich board strapped to your chest and back. Thankfully, we’re a little more sophisticated than that.

In the book we don’t ask job seekers to take any risks what-so-ever, but rather the reader is taught how to keep their opportunity funnel filled and genuinely stand apart from the crowd. The reader is also shown how to and deliver their value proposition in a clear and concise fashion that will garner the attention of the right people within an organization. So this book like any other informational publication where one has to literally “put words to action” is not for those who at least without being literally pushed, are reluctant to follow instructions to the letter.

Lastly, the single biggest down side of purchasing the book versus our other products, is that the reader is not entitled to have the advantage of receiving “free” phone access to author David Perry, or contributing co-authors, Kevin Donlin or myself (Mark J. Haluska) or all three of us together for that matter; to acquire additional one-on-one advice or coaching when it might be needed at a most critical moment in your job search.

Due to space limitations I have to run for now. Tomorrow I'll talk about the upside of investing in the book, Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters, 2.0 and contrary to some peoples belief, why the book is also suitable for most blue collar workers !!! 

In closing, if someone you know is out of work and would benefit from our FREE audio on How to Land a Job Even in the Recession of 2009 (a $ 50 value) simply send them to my link at: http://tinyurl.com/cpkwha Supplies are limited !

For information on corporate sponsored outplacement services, career coaching, resume assistance, the Guerilla Job Seekers 10 week boot camp, or if you would prefer personal one-on-one Guerrilla job search assistance, contact me at: theguerillajobcoach@comcast.net or 724-495-2733 for information.

Mark J. Haluska

• A Contributing Co-Author of "Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters" and "Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0," 1,001 Unconventional Tips, Tricks and Tactics for Landing your Dream Job.

* Certified Guerrilla Job Seeker Instructor

Keep Detailed Records

One client, Rebecca, told me how she regretted not keeping detailed records in her job search.

 

Reason?

 

She got calls after submitting her resume to positions, but had forgotten all about what jobs and companies she had applied to! Needless to say, she didn’t get any interviews this way, and all her efforts in sending out resumes to those companies were wasted.

 

Don’t let this happen to you.

 

 

Action Step: Write down the following every time you send out a resume:

• title of job you applied for,
• company name,
• name of person addressed in cover letter,
• source of job lead,
• date resume and cover letter were sent,
• date of your intended follow-up, and
• any other notes that will help you talk intelligently should that company call you for an interview.

 

You should also keep a copy of the classified ad or Internet job posting you applied to, if one is available. That way you’ll be able to discuss the job when you get called to interview.

 

 

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.

Network Using Your College Career Office

You already know that most of the best jobs are found through word of mouth, right? Co-workers, friends and acquaintances sharing information -- this is how 70-80% of all people get hired, according to many estimates.

I’ve regularly written here about how networking can help you gain access to this “hidden” job market and meet decision makers who can hire you.

But today I want to share a nifty twist on networking that worked during the last recession, and can give your job search a boost in this economy, too.

 

This week’s job search tip, from Faith Rothberg, Vice President for Strategic Development at CollegeRecruiter.com (www.collegerecruiter.com), will help anyone who went to college.

Kevin: “Let’s jump right in. What’s the networking ‘twist’ that worked so well for you and how can it help others find a job right now?”

Faith: “In a nutshell, I called the career office at the University of Michigan, where I got my MBA, and asked them for a list of Business School alumni here in Minnesota that I could contact for advice on getting a job. I made some phone calls, did a few interviews and got hired by a prominent bank in Minneapolis. And I did this during the last recession, in 1991, when there were threats of war, just like now.”

Kevin: “So, you networked your way to a new job by calling people you already had an affinity with -- they went to the same school as you. That must have made it easy to start a conversation, right? You already had something in common.”

Faith: “Yes. One week after I called my career office for help, a list of about 20 names arrived in the mail. I started calling them during my lunch hour or before work.”

Kevin: “What did you ask them and what happened?”

Faith: “I asked, ‘Can I meet you for coffee and a quick informational interview?’ I ended up with about two in-person interviews and three other people gave me names to call at other companies.”

 

 

Kevin: “Describe the informational interviews. What did you do?”

 

Faith: “I asked questions about their jobs and engaged them on why they liked what they did. I tried to let them talk about themselves, which puts anyone at east. Then I handed them my resume and asked, ‘Where would a person like me fit into your organization?’”

 

 

Kevin: “How long did it take to find a job?”

 

Faith: “About 90 days. I kept calling new names as I got them, saying, ‘So-and-so suggested I call you for an informational interview.’ Sometimes I was more direct and said, ‘I heard about your opening for a ____ from my interview with so-and-so and I’d like to discuss your needs. When can I come and see you?’”

 

 

Kevin: “What’s your final bit of advice to job hunters in this economy?”

 

Faith: “Talk to anybody you know. Friends, family, friends of friends -- anyone who will let you use their name when contacting companies you want to work for. Because you never know -- it could be your friend’s dad who makes the hiring decision.”

 

 

Action Step: No matter how long ago you graduated, put your college career office to work for you. When you network with other alumni, you instantly have something in common, which builds rapport and can smooth the way toward finding a decision maker who can hire you!

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.

Use Temp Agencies To Get A Full-Time Job

Ever considered temporary work? For many job seekers, it’s the pathway to a full-time position with a dream employer. And it may be easier than you think.

 

To give you the inside scoop, I tracked down a veteran job seeker and an employment expert for their views.

 

According to Chad Deckard, CEO of InfoGeneratorPRO.com, an Internet marketing consulting firm, you can use temp agencies to uncover good jobs with top companies. He should know.

 

He first arrived in Atlanta, Ga., with no local contacts or job prospects, and went on to get hired for full-time positions at CNN, the advertising firm BBDO, and Time-Warner. All by using local temp agencies, with a twist that can work in any city, in any economy.

 

“After I arrived in town, I pulled out the Yellow Pages and started calling temporary employment agencies. I asked them: ‘Who are your biggest clients?’ With that knowledge, I was able to pick the right agencies to get me into the companies I wanted to work for,” says Deckard.

 

Of course, he didn’t strike gold right away. He first had to take on three short-term assignments with companies he didn’t care for. But because he completed every task with enthusiasm, he built up a record as a conscientious, hard-working employee. This led to his big break.

 

And how did he turn a temp assignment at CNN into a permanent position? He did something unusual. He asked!

 

“I did the obvious things, like showing up on time every day and doing everything that was asked of me. On top of that, I studied the company, its products/services, market, competitors -- everything -- thoroughly, until I knew more than most permanent employees. Then I just asked my supervisor for a full-time position. She hired me,” says Deckard.

 

He also turned a temp job into permanent work as an Advertising Rep at Time-Warner. “After building a solid track record, I called the same temp agency and asked them to place me directly at Time-Warner,” says Deckard.

 

By doing good work and having the right attitude, he was able to turn that temp assignment into another full-time job, again, by asking his supervisor.

 

Chad’s experience dovetails nicely with advice given by Bob Picha, founder of San-Diego-based Ideas At Work, a company dedicated to the release of human potential in individuals and organizations.

 

“Many savvy employers use temporary agencies as a screening device. It’s a chance to put temp workers through a trial period. And, if the employee is talented enough, a job can be created just for him or her,” says Picha.

 

Temporary agencies are all around you, too.

 

In addition to your Yellow Pages, you can visit www.google.com, search for “temporary employment,” and you’ll find a huge number of temp agency listings. You can refine your search by adding terms to locate agencies them by city/state, industry, etc.

 

Action Step: With a little hard work and the right attitude, you can turn a temp agency into your own personal headhunter, at no cost. Why not start today?

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.