Book Description

Counterintuitive commandments for hungry job-seekers from the bestselling author of How to Become CEO and How to Become a Rainmaker

Anyone who thinks getting a good job is easy in this booming economy should think again. Greater prosperity has made the work force smarter and more competitive than ever. The real plum jobs are out there, but they’re harder to get than ever. Now, bestselling author and innovative thinker Jeffrey J. Fox, who has helped thousands of listeners rise to the top of any organization, steps up to the plate once again with this no-nonsense collection of surprising and daring rules for landing the right job.

Easy to listen to, inspiring, and often counterintuitive, these concise directives reflect the values of creative thinking and persistence that have made Fox one of America’s most emulated businessmen. He has had proven success with all his rules, such as:
• don’t ask for directions
• make a big splash...not a bunch of little ripples
• don’t talk in an interview

Fox also offers a Job Getting Blueprint, a Job Seeker’s Glossary, several first interview questions, as well as the basic form and variations for a “boomerang letter.” His rules not only help today’s job seekers devise a winning strategy, but also show them how to prepare for and make the best impression in an interview. This wisdom-packed program gives listeners the edge on the competition, and helps prepare them for the challenges and rewards of landing not just a good job, but a great one.
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Reviews (29)

Great book
It is very refreshing to read such unconventional advice on job hunting. The author's ideas are very good and I totally agree with him. Overall a great book of the kind that we need more today. 4 stars instead of 5 because:

1. Its reader is typically looking for a job in a business-related field, and the hirer's goal is invariably to make more money, so is the job seeker's emphasis in selling himself. While the 'spirit' of the book is great and theoretically applies to all fields or professions, people who are seeking jobs in, say, university teaching, will find many things not applicable to them. (In one place it's said that cv's seeking for university teaching job often devote page after page about papers published but only 2 lines on teaching. Unfortunately this is indeed what the academics stress when hiring: publication is valued more than teaching.)

2. About how to make yourself stand out: again this should be a mental guideline--I wish it can all work that way, but in the real world, first of all, how busy will the CEO'S be if every reader of this book bypass the conventional resume sending process and instead starts job application by sending an impact letter DIRECTLY to the CEO or president?? How many secretaries will actually pass the letters to the CEO? It takes a smart secretary! Second, even if the CEO gets the letter, the result will largely depend on the shrewdness of the CEO. Regrettably, too many CEO's out there are themselves too conventional to recognize a creative job candidate.

To end the review, it's a great book!

Landed a Job in 8 Days Using this Book
Since I was moving into an entirely different field, I was concerned that my lack of direct experience would cause my resume to get overlooked. After reading this book I realized it didn't matter--I wasn't going to send them a typical resume. Instead I made up my mind to follow the steps of the book and land a job in this field.

I sent out 3 resu-letters and immediately got a phone call for an interview with one company. Several days later I had the interview, which I prepared for using Fox's interview "sales" techniques. The interviewer seemed very impressed with both my anwers and my prepared questions. At the end of the interview I was offered the job.

Of course not everyone is going to have such immediate results, and I feel fortunate to have had such good results so quickly, but the ideas expressed in this book are direct, powerful, and clear. By the time I had finished reading the book I felt confident that I was going to land a job in my new field soon--I just didn't realize how soon.

Trite, Shallow, Banal and Essentially Worthless
On the plus side, although it was a complete waste of time, this book can be read in under an hour. On the minus side, if you ever looked for a job at some point in your life, about the only practical use for this book is to prop up a wobbly piece of furniture. It contains such "helpful" hints as "dress nice for interviews" and "don't drink alcohol at lunch." Wow, truly Earth-shattering! I'm surprized there wasn't an entire chapter called "Change Your Underwear." I can't believe there were so many positive reviews of this book. You guys must all be new grads or something.

A real world test. Good book here are the pros and cons...
Okay I'll start out with the pros first:

I bought this book after I lost my job from a downsizing of the organization I was working for. Needless to say, I was in need of a quick way for me to get noticed in the job marketplace.

I used many of the ideas outlined in this book and they did work. I researched organizations, sent impact letters, spoke to the hiring manager and got interviews. I beat out hundreds of people responding with resumes via email and postal mail.

I got my current job pretty much the same way as my previous successes. However, I wasn't able to find out the hiring managers name, so I sent an impact letter and my resume to the Vice President of the department I would be working in. I assume my resume was forwarded to the top of the pile of the hiring manager's resume stack because within a few days I got a call from the personnel department. I had interviews with many people. I sent follow-up letters to everyone I said hello to and eventually I got the job.

All of this took allot of time an effort. I spent every day for 8 months from 9-am to 5-pm researching, writing, calling, following-up, networking, and more. It's exhausting. It's a tough market and the rate of return is still very low. But these ideas give you an edge. I averaged about 1 interview out of every 30 impact letters I wrote. It's a full-time job looking for a job and the competition is tough. That's why it's important to have at least 6-8 months of living expenses saved in case you loose your job. In this day and age, If you can afford to have a year of living expenses saved, that would be ideal. Being unemployed usually catches you off-guard. If you do loose your job, you're probably going to have to work part-time while you are looking. This will take away from your job hunting time and extend the average when you might secure permanent employment again.

Okay here are the Cons:

If you hate your current job, It's very difficult if not impossible to do use the methods and approaches outlined in this book while you are already working. There is no way you can be on the phone and do research while you are working. So it's almost a book for someone who is already unemployed. I would like to see Mr. Fox come up with marketing tactics utilizing these techniques for someone who is employed full-time and seeking to change employment. How do you do research and talk to decision-makers with your boss breathing down your neck? How do you conduct interviews while still employed full-time?

Also, I would like to see Mr. Fox devote a chapter to the importance of saving money for when you are unemployed. I like to call it my "just-in-case-I'm unemployed" account. Not enough emphasis is given in this area in any job hunting book and I think it very important. As I said before, It's a full-time job looking for a job.

The other issue I had is Mr. Fox tells us not to use "big" words and industry jargon in our letters and resume. I agree. However, speckled throughout this book, Mr. Fox uses words that could have been simplified. For example on page 10 he uses the word "pedantically". Instead, he could have used a more common word or just left the word out and the sentence would have been fine. There are a few other inflated words used perhaps out of habit or to purposely validate and exhibit his education. If you're writing only to Harvard colleagues it's probably acceptable. However books written with uncommon vocabulary for a general audience often sounds aloof.

In conclusion, this is a good book with plenty of good advise and I recommend it.

helpful information in half a day's read.
As with many business books, the worst books to read are those that sound dry and redundant. This book however is tersely written, easy to comprehend and adds some interesting job seeking tools that will assist you in searching for a job efficiently. Although the title says not to send a resume, Fox does feel that a resume can be used as a tool for a job search when either modified and tailored to the specific employer, or used as a follow up piece of literature to accentuate the candidate's skills after first conact with the employer.
In addition to this Fox gives tips on finding leads, writing interview-getting letters, interviewing, and post interview follow ups. Some of the information in this book is commonly found in other books--be confident, sell yourself, stand out from a crowd, be polite to everybody, etc.--yet another 50% of the book has some material that you probably wouldn't see before or find somewhere else--write a resu-letter, write boomerang letters, and other interesting methods.
The flow of the writing is to-the-point written in simple, absorbant, and quickly comprehensible with information that can be used immediately. The book has the pattern of explaining something to you, giving you a story to get the concept to sink in, or giving you the explicit details by listing or giving you examples. In other words, it starts in general terms and becomes more tangible and specific.
Reading this book is a good starting point. Use the book's tips to help you find your job and pass it around to others to help them find a job or even resell it here on Amazon.com. ... Read more

Book Description

Successful professionals tend to behave differently from others; they network their way to job and career success. They learn to build and nurture large supportive networks of individuals who can help them both find jobs and get ahead in their careers. Rather than sit passively on the sidelines waiting for jobs and promotions to come to them, savvy networkers develop proactive communication strategies that involve key sets for personal and professional success. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

How to break into the 'hidden job market'
Learn the secrets of real networking - the kind which lands great jobs - using this title, which tells what kind of communication skills serve to contribute to such networking. From prospecting networking possibilities to conducting informational interviews, Savvy Networker is pakced with keys on how to break into the `hidden job market'. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by the author
Three cassettes, 5 hours 15 minutes

In LEAD TO SUCCEED, the follow-up to his New York Times bestseller, Success is a Choice, Rick Pitino takes the next step.He shows how we can become great leaders who can teach, inspire, get results, cultivate loyalty, and form a lasting relationship with those we lead-from our employees to our families and social colleagues.

Pitino's new audiobook on leadership will include specific recommendations for improving leadership qualities, addressing topics such as the importance of discipline, responsibility and patience, being results-oriented, and having loyalty to one's employees.As he did in Success is a Choice, Pitino will use anecdotes and examples drawn from his own experiences as a basketball coach and motivational speaker-as well as the lessons offered by history's great leaders-and the audiobook is read in Pitino's characteristically plain-spoken and inspirational voice. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Leadership, A Talent & Science
As a leadership consultant and coach of 10 years working mostly with the titular heads of authority in high tech organizations, I research constantly for new perspectives and training tools that could be of use to the developing leader.

This is an outstanding tool.

Those who won't review it well, are probably "anti" fans of Pitino and/or those who are offended by his strong beliefs and values. But if one looks at this work objectively and doesn't prejudge this man as "only a sports coach," then you will find a fountain of pragmatic insight.

I challenge anyone to find a more practical treatise on developing leadership. Not Warren Bennis, nor even Peter Drucker write with more direct pragmaticism than this natural born leadership genius.

And know that I don't follow basketball close enough to have been prejudiced in favor of Pitino. I began the book with great skeptism and ended in awe of this non credentialed genius' simplicity and applicability to the art and science of leadership.

A sometimes honest but not effective look at leadership
After reading and enjoying Pitino's "Succeess Is A Choice," I was anxious to read the next installment, "Lead to Succeed." I was surprised at the timing of the publishing of this book considering that it was published shortly after Mr. Pitino's third year of failing to lead the Boston Celtics to the NBA playoffs. As president and coach of the team, Pitino is responsible for choosing and coaching the Celtics players. Therefore, he is to blame for the fact that the team has had a losing season in each of the three seasons that he has been in Boston. It is interesting that Pitino would write a book on successful leadership qualities when he himself has failed in trying to lead the Celtics. This, however, is what makes the book very interesting to read. While Pitino freely admits some, but not all, of the mistakes he has made since joining the Celtics, the solutions he gives to try to amend for his errors do not carry any weight because his solutions have not cured any of the problems he has created. For example, he constantly preaches the power of positive thinking when facing tough times. While it is true that being positive can help a person succeed, no person will succeed if he constantly makes terrible decisions in regards to his/her profession. Making terrible decisions is exactly what Pitino has done with the Celtics and he refuses to admit it. A note to Mr. Pitino: Trying to outwork everybody in sight and keeping a positive attitude will never overcome the negative results form making mistake after mistake in regards to your job.

Right on Target!
I didn't know much about Rick Pitino until reading his book, now I can see why he's been so successful in his profession. It isn't just accomplishing goals, it's the winning lifestyle that makes results happen that cause this to be a "quality of life" book. Pitino is passionate about what he does and the people with whom he works. He writes of the maturation process he had to endure himself before arriving at a more holistic view of genuine leadership. Such a person views the success of others in their organization as a mark of personal leadership.

This book is packed with "behind the scenes" insights on Patino paying his dues. The coach is so right about there being no substitute for experience. Pitino is a highly ethical man also. That theme is consistent throughout the book as well. This one will charge your battery. I give it my "a-ok" endorsement.

Excellent Information, Very Motivational
This is an amazing book from cover to cover. I wouldn't know where to start giving compliments on it. I've read several books over the years on business, motivation, and leadership. This book is by far one of the top reads. I strongly recommend it to anyone looking to improve themselves as well as those around them.

Lead to succeed-10 great traits of freat leaders
I just finished Lead to Succeed this a.m and I'm back at amazon to order 3 more for my key employees. This book had common sense ideas that can be related to any business in the growth mode. I'm not a big basketball fan, but I certainly am a fan of the wisdom of Mr. Pitino. The book was a wealth of knowledge and information,very entertaining and a book that I could not put down till I finished. Pass it on, it will encourage anyone to strive to become the best. ... Read more

Book Description

The complete guide for anyone who faces sudden change at work, in technology, and in the world around them

In Changing Directions Without Losing Your Way, the authors who helped pioneer the "working from home" revolution identify the six stages of change in business and in life. For each of these stages, Paul and Sarah Edwards demonstrate how to understand and assess change for what it is, and then recast career aspects to adapt to new realities.

From facing a new reality, releasing the past, and finding an inner compass, to embracing the future, developing a strategy, to putting the show on the road, the six stages of change are clearly explained. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Forget Moving The Cheese. This Is Your Life
About 30 years ago I read Alvin Toffler's FUTURE SHOCK wherein he described the rapidity of change and impact it would have on society and the individual in the coming decades. I have since observed in my personal and professional lives much of that dispossessing "shock" where the future meets the present. I could well have remained immobilized in the wake of recent life path switcheroos but for the wholly manageable techniques laid out in Paul and Sarah Edwards CHANGING DIRECTIONS. Clearly they have done their homework and have fashioned a plan of action that anyone can commence and complete, regardless of how stranded one may feel or uncertain the road may look. The book's life lessons allow individuals to reset the compass, fuel the engine, align the steering, inflate the tires and provide some fresh views of roads taken or not taken. Last year's WHO MOVED MY CHEESE provided a nice little fable and easy read for time-strapped rat-racers. But it might leave many feeling a bit undernourished in the how-to department. Paul and Sarah Edwards have set the table nicely with a six-course feast ("to go") of work and life-changing wisdom. Just desserts await those who faithfully follow their recommended menus.

Well worth the read...
I found the book to be extremely helpful in identifying what it is you wish to change in your life, eliminating the fear and psychological blocks which stand in the way, and manifesting the dreams you've always had...yet often forgot were still locked inside, waiting to be fulfilled.The authors have written in a way which is immediately accessible, entertaining, and easily digested.There is a gentle urging which draws you closer to those "fantasies" many of us let go of, only to replace with a half-life of others' belief systems that ultimately have not led to our fulfillment."Changing Directions" gets you in touch with what you may have forgotten or forever released as "inappropriate" or "irresponsible choices"...and challenges you to once again embrace them as perhaps the only appropriate, responsible choice you can make if you are ever to achieve happiness. ... Read more

Book Description

How many business cards have you given out over the years?How many have you received?Hundreds?Thousands?Tens of thousands?How many of those people do you stay in touch with on a regular basis?/You could probably count them on your fingers.The rest were the people who were happy to give you their card during a few magic moments when your lives crossed.And then they were gone.Vanished.Never heard from again.Maybe you did business with them.Maybe you didn't.Maybe there was a reason, even if it was fleeting.Now if all of those people who gave you all of those cards don't call, don't write, or don't contact you in any way, think of the enormous opportunity you have if you contact them.You do the networking.You do the schmoozing.You develop and maintain your own platinum pipeline.You control your own golden database that could result in a lifetime supply of business.Business cards are a start.Personal linking is what makes things happen.If there's no follow-through, nothing happens.That's what this book is really about.
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Reviews (10)

A new business's helper.
You are trying to start a business, you meet people and give them your business card, you get no responses. You are looking for a new job, you hand your card and no response. Doing something wrong? After reading Here's My Card there may be a lot you're doing wrong.

Bob Popyk has given you a great way to meet new people, communicate ideas and get your name out there for others to notice, and it all starts with the business card. Popyk has over 35 years in sales and knows what it takes to get ahead, now he gives his ideas and tricks to you.

Follow along and you'll finds ways to network your business, get more referrals, more customers and increased sales, all this without the use of computers. You business card or people linker as the book refers, will help give you the quality of life you have always dreamed of.

This is not a once read and do book, this is a read over and over and practice book. From Networking know how to personalized presentations to the design of the card, it's all here and waiting for you. The cost is minimal compared to the possibility of what you gain.

A must read for anyone in business
This book is helpful and insightful for anyone in any type of business. A business card is something everyone has (or should have) which is a valuable sales tool that is highly underated. Mr. Popyk has many fresh ideas for using and designing your card, and I recommend it for everyone. It should be a must read for everyone in your office! It is an easy read and clever. It is something offices, entrepreneurs, those new to sales, and business veterans who are looking to sharpen their networking skills alike can benefit from.

BETTER THAN A SCIENTIFIC STUDY...REAL DOWN TO EARTH IDEAS
I read this book. It was exactly what I was looking for. How to get more business using my business cards. No stupid studies, graphs, charts or scientific BS. Just things to do to find customers, build business, and get my name out there. If you can't find a few ideas to put to use, you shouldn't be in business. I liked this book so much I ordered a few more as gifts. Gave one to my boss. He held it up at a sales meeting and said everyone should read it. Mentioning that it came from me didn't hurt. I am glad I took the advice of the other postive reviewers of this book! Get one for yourself!

If you're in business, this is a great book to read
I write a column for a number of trade and business publications. Recently I reviewed this book and gave it an excellent rating. Whether you've been in business for a long time, or are just starting out, one good idea put to use could increase your business nicely. Not every idea is for everybody. Some are clever. Some are creative. Some are just plain fun. Some take some planning, and some you can just put to use right away. If you don't already have a great card, skip to the back chapters, design your card, and then the author will tell you how to creatively network with it. This book is inexpensive, easy to read, and a lot of the ideas are something probably everyone in business forgets to do, one time or another. Great for reference, or just sharing with your business colleagues. I liked it.

First book I am returning
This is the first book out of many I have purchased at Amazon.com that I will be returning. I expected much more out of a book that is rated 5 stars by the seven reviewers before me.

Here's what I really wanted - tips on card design with statistics on what works and what doesn't. For example - what to put where on the card and perhaps some test marketing and statistics to show what information is important on a card and what should be left off.

Then I wanted a rational scientific approach to networking with the card - with an evaluation of effectiveness of approaches depending on the situation.

Instead what I read was a few gladhanding techniques - none of which were new to me.

Get the book if you are absolutely brand new to business and you have no idea on how to use your business cards. Otherwise, I recommend a pass. ... Read more

Book Description

Everyone has a calling—something they were born to do. Heeding your calling is about deliberately choosing a way of life and work consistent with your gifts, passions, and values.It’s a labor of love that is intrinsically satisfying. Whistle While You Work: Heeding Your Life’s Calling is a liberating guide to helping people discover and heed their calling. Through powerful stories and exercises Whistle helps readers discover how to make a living doing what they were born to do. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Whistle
A must read no matter what stage of life you are at. This book can best be described as a guided journey, where critical questions are posed that lead the reader to reflect on where they are at in life with work and where they desire to be. One of the best aspects of this book was the real life stories of working professionals. These testimentaries fit very nicely into the general theme and flow of the book. Don't think twice about putting the whistle in your work!

A Must Read To Make Better Life Choices!
A must read in making choices along your career journey to find your calling. Based on John Holland's Theory, this is a very useful book to help laypersons' to apply the Theory in a most practical and meaningful way to find their calling. Most importantly, the authors share not only their personal experiences but also include the experiences of a number of individuals. In career planning and strategizing, this is very helpful. It is having others share their experiences and this gives a better grasp of the issues so that career choices can be made wisely. This ultimately will lead you to what you are destined to do. A useful complementary reading to the perrenial favourite, What Colour Is Your Parachute. In fact, Richard Bolles' comment about the book is, "I love it"! Need I say more for endorsements?

Fluff That Makes You Feel Good
Books like this do everything in their power to get your drive going. And every time I read one (which isn't often), I do feel good about myself. But in the end, I'm back on Earth a few days later. OK, I am sounding pathetic, but the truth is, there isn't a whole lot of practical advice here, just motivational anecdotes. To be frank, there is nothing wrong with that. It just needs more to distinguish itself.

It starts out promising with the part about choosing the characteristics you most want in a job. However, it goes downhill with the straight out of "Touch By an Angel" cabbie stories that start every chapter. What I really did like about this book is that it makes you reevaluate the situation you are currently in to make the most of it. It doesn't preach dropping everything and chasing after your dream because not all of us are in a position to do so. Another thing I liked is that it keeps the message short (under 200 pages). There is no need for a book like this to be 300+ pages. All in all, it's a good starter book for those looking to make a career change.

To question your careeer, this is a must read
Get control of your career and your expectations of what career means in your life. This book does a great job of guiding you along as you question wehre you are in life and where you want to be. Redundant at times and interactive "take control books" usually don't appeal to me, but this one is an expection.

Davey is a great guy
Davey is a great guy. He rides his bike all over Seattle. He wears really cool glasses too. I'm honored to be mentioned in the book. Dave is a great writer and philosopher. Everyone should buy this book and give copies of it as gifts to their friends. ... Read more

Book Description

In the words of Fortune magazine, this is "the gold standard of career guides".Here's why:

•PARACHUTE is always current and up to date.•It discusses what has changed about the job-market, and the new attitudes that are required in order to survive therein.

•It aids career-changers, as well as job-hunters, and has a detailed step-by-step plan for identifying a new career, as well as more detailed strategies for locating just the job you want in the geographical area of your choice.

•It has a detailed description of interview questions, and what kinds of answers the employer is looking for, plus step-by-step salary negotiation strategies.

•It is thinner, by 200 pages, than earlier editions, slimmed down for reading (and doing the paper and pencil exercises) in this fast-paced world, where time is precious. ... Read more

Reviews (110)

CHANGING CAREERS? THERE ARE MUCH BETTER BOOKS
I am a career coach with eight years of experience working with people wanting a new career - a better fit with their talents, more meaningful, a better work environment. If you want to choose a career that will be very fulfilling as well as something you will be successful at, forget about "Parachute". It just doesn't have the depth and wisdom it takes to coach you through this most important life decision.

Another career counselor who reviewed "Parachute" recommended that you get two other books instead. I agree. They are "The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success" by Lore, and "Do What You Are" by Tieger. "The Pathfinder" is the best career decision book ever, the seminal text, the masterpiece on the subject - this is, if you are serious about having a great life and unwilling to put up with less. I also agree with the other reviewer that "Parachute" is a great job hunting book, but only if you know exactly what job you are looking for. Reading "Parachute" takes some of the fear and uncertainty out of job hunting. But if you are trying to decide what to do with your life, forget about "Parachute".

Excellent Book for all ages!
This book is great for people of all ages! It really helps you find your niche in life by doing a little soul searching. I was able to identify my strengths and use them to get a job I love! This book should be a part of all high school and college graduates itinerary before going into the 'real' world. Thank you Mr. Bolles!!

Essential Job Search Book
Bolle's book is still timeless for job seekers of all kinds. I feel that his book updated each year to meet the current trends in society is critical. He needs to address those issues, like the web, downturn in the economy and the like.

The most critical part of the book is the self evaluation section. This is a very structured process that can be used intutitively as well. Bolles asks you to write a few stories about yourself, then, what did you like and dislike about those stories? What did you do well, where did you fail or feel challenged beyond your abilities? These are the critical areas of the book that take time to get through, yet you can evaluate yourself and understand what you like, it is what you do best, usually.

We excel what we are good at, according to Bolles, this method will help us discover what we are best at.

I have recommended this book to many over the years, and still do. Whether someone is in college, or someone is going through a long term transition after being in a job for a long time or moms returning to the work place, this book will be very instructive for you.

One of his processes is very simple asking you to compare who you would most like to talk with or groups of people you would rather relate with. This is a standard set of tests for some very expensive career consulting, he gives it to you for the price of his book and the time to self evaluate yourself. Then, he breaks down the possible job areas and skill sets related to these groups.

Again, a worthwhile journey for anyone not wanting to wander any longer in the world of work.

JOE SLEVIN
Job Coach

Unemployed no more!
Yesterday, I nervously dialed the phone number to my job interviewer. It was Tuesday and he had promised he'd let me know about the job by last Friday.

I had followed the book, "What Color Is My Parachute," to the letter. I had a perfect resume and cover letter. I dressed up for the interview, prepared my list of questions to ask during the interview, memorized all the tips, and most importantly, emailed a thank you note afterwards.

Despite all this, I was still nervous about getting the job. I haven't even graduated with my undergraduate degree yet, meaning I have no experience. If I got the job, it was going to be my first job after college.

To my surprise, he said, "I emailed you about the job. Can you start May 11th?"

"That," I replied, "would be awesome."

Based on that experience, I heartily recommend the book on the interviewing techniques alone. However, that's not all I got from this book. I got a great system that determines what job I'd like to be in. Not only does the book ask about career interests, but on the part of the country I want to live in and the working conditions I prefer, which are two categories I never even considered. I recommend this book to everyone who needs to get a job these days and wants an edge on the competition. Because of this book, I am happily on the start of a long career.

Would you buy a Taurus because it gets good reviews?
This book is fine for the commoner who accounts for 80% of the population. The other 20% will find this a total waste of time. Of course, the 20% of the population with brains would never even pick up this book. Every counselor I ever knew would tell me to read this book back when I was unsure of my future toward the end of my college career 15 years ago. I didn't have the money for the book, so I basically read through it at B. Dalton Booksellers in Denton, TX. What an incredible waste this book is. Instead, stop lining the pockets of this preacher and say no to this book. Anything that is a best seller in the United States must be flawed, because like I said before, 80% of the population are idiots. People need to start thinking for themselves and stop buying this garbage. If you are in the 80% idiot group, you will disagree with this review and probably buy it out of spite. Well, go ahead moron. The other 20% will know where I'm coming from, but most of you would never be enough of a loser to be reading a review on this book and even contemplating buying it. The only reason I've spent the time on this is to possibly persuade one person that this book is a scam and maybe they'll spread the word and this book will eventually go away. ... Read more

Book Description

Every day, the world's markets are speaking -- shouting, reallyboldly predicting the future. In fact, they are reflecting information not yet revealed to the general public: events as dramatic as the outcome of a war, as tragic as a nuclear accident in some distant part of the globe, or as mundane but important as the future direction of interest rates.

In order to understand what the markets are saying, you have to know how to listen and interpret the messages they are sending. This is the first audio to advise listeners how to understand the signals put out by the markets, and how to use that information to their advantage in all aspects of their lives.

Individuals who heed the warnings of the markets will make better personal decisions regarding:

Download Description

Drawing on in-depth interviews with hundreds of the nation's chief executive officers, author and international executive development expert D. A. Benton reveals the secrets that separate the business lions from the cubs--the vital traits that every executive must have to make it to the top. Discover how to: Make your contributions known--without looking like a braggart Learn your boundaries--and when to go outside them. Prepare for uncertainty and the unexpected--without losing your coolMake fewer plans--and take more action Hire people smarter than you--so they're worth fighting for. Be thankful for problems--that's where you challenge yourself. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Insightful!
Author Debra A. Benton discusses how chief executive officers succeed. She bases her information on interviews with hundreds of major corporations' CEOs and with well-known leaders and public figures. The experiences of so many CEOs make the book fascinating. Readers will be intrigued by the many success stories. Benton also extrapolates and explains the key principles behind the success of these executives. The book is an excellent, well-written guide that includes some well-known success principles and some that may be less well-known. The short, snappy, easy-to-read style is accessible. A helpful summary at the end of each chapter captures the major principles covered. We at getAbstract recommend this book to those on the way up in management, those interested in getting into management, and those who wish to apply these principles of success in their own careers.

Solid perspective.
Forget the people who claim that this book is a rehash. They need to read it again and stop skimming chapter titles and skipping pages. Yes, a lot of this material is covered in other leadership books. There are basics that every reader of this type of book simply has to know. The author can't assume that they know, so she presents the basics.

Buy this book for the unique content: The quotes. Real quotes from real CEO's. Dozens of real life examples of what goes on in the life and in the mind of the man (or woman) at the top.

If you want to see what motivates a CEO, it's in this book. If you want to see what a day in the life of a CEO is like, it's in this book. If you want to see how a CEO handles pressure situations, it's in this book.

The quotes alone are worth the 10 to 15 bucks. The easy, specific examples of things that you can say and do to improve your situation at work are just a bonus.

As a small business owner, I would like to thank Debra for helping me to bridge the gap between my home business and my career. This book showed me how the skills that I developed as an entrepreneur could be applied to my consulting job.

What prevented the book from being 5 stars? Author self reference. I realize that 'Lions Don't Need To Roar' is a great book, and cross promotion is all the rage, but borrowing the bulk of entire chapters from 'Lions' is a bit much.

Still, a great read.

I wish I'd known this when I started my career 12 years ago.
Some people could say this is common sense. But my years in corporate America has taught me it's not common practice. Benton lays out in a clear, succinct manner what the best leaders in business or in politics do to be effective. You'll recognize a lot of the traits in yourself and a lot in people that you admire. More importantly you'll be reminded of the importance of various attributes and will be given examples of how to use this information for yourself -- to become the effective individual that you want to be.

Even if you don't aspire to being "CEO" you still have to work with one so you might as well know and understand how they think to make your own life better.

Who reads these books? It's complete tripe
Only very naive or stupid people can take this junk seriously. It's not gonna get you one millimetre closer to CEO anything... or anywhere at all actually, it's just a waste of time and insult to your intelligence.

Great book
Great book. Good points! Very smart! A must read for any leader. ... Read more

Book Description

An internationally recognized authority on high level performance, Zig Ziglar explodes some popular management myths and reveals how to manage ourselves and others so that we achieve maximum effectiveness.

Most managers know the importance of cultivating their human resources. What they often overlook is the impact of caring can have on others, and that the most talented individuals become liabilities if they cannot "gel" together as a team.

For performance-oriented managers, Zig Ziglar provides six action steps and a special formula for success. He also presents ten double-win rules that lead to top team performance, so that you can not only enhance your own career but develop excellence in others. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Management Gems
...
This book reminds me of my most important asset; the people on my team. In the middle of the book are Management Gems. The Gems include formula for Top Managers, Leadership Myths, as well as steps for performance oriented mangagement. These Gems are must reads daily. Thanks for making something so tough, easier to apply.

Not Zig's fault
Ziglar's audio tapes are typically great; real fine work. This one however should be avoided for two reasons though. One, at least half of the info is already presented on one of his other audio books. Two, the manufacturer did a horrible job with the editing of the tape. This is the first Ziglar tape I've seen that is badly edited. It seems to be a cut and splice job from about 6 or 7 different seminars put into one and the volume needs to be readjusted for each different splice. It is painful and disappointing to listen to. Avoid this lemon and go with one of his other audio tapes.

Excellence!!
Please, contact me for a discussion about the publishing rights in Romania. Thank you! Dan Marius Dumitras ... Read more

Book Description

Why do you want this job?Why should I hire you?Why do you want to leave your current job?

Do you have convincing answers ready for these important questions?Landing a good job is a competitive process and often the final decision is based on your performance at the interview.By following the advice of prominent career planning and human resources expert Peter Veruki, you'll have the right answers at your job interview. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

I did not find this book to be very helpful.
As the title suggests, the book lists the most common interview questions. If you have no idea what those questions are, then you might find the book somewhat helpful.
Along with each question there is an example answer which usually does not apply to the reader. After each example answer there is a brief snippet about how you should try to to answer that type of question. Unfortunately, these snippets are far too brief to be of much help to the reader (some are a single sentence). If there were more emphasis put on how to answer the question, and less space given to the example answers, I think it would have been a more useful book.
I suggest "the Unofficial Guide to Acing the Interview" by Michelle Tullier, published by Hungry Minds. This book will help you get into the proper frame of mind for your interview. It will also help you understand the employer's underlying concerns behind those tough interview questions. When you know why the employer is asking a question, you can form your best answer.
Good luck!

some good questions
This book has some good questions to practice before interviews, but don't pay much attention to the answers given. If one tries to tailor his answers to sound like the ones given, he will sound too much like he's reading from a script. Read the explanations of how your answer should be and then practice responding to the particular questions in front of a mirror or with someone posing as an interviewer. Other than the interesting questions, the other information is very basic and can be found in any book on interviewing. The explanations of what a good answer should sound like are ok but a bit too overly simplistic. For example, in the question about getting fired the author says that one should be honest and say that you've corrected the problem. In answering questions about getting fired, one needs to know how to say this. Otherwise, you will be setting yourself up for disaster. Also, I believe that the sample answers given are a mostly a waste. The answers given are way too specialized.

Good Advice for Those Who Need It
If you are not comfortable with the interview process, all the information that you can collect in advance will be a great help to you. Here is a good place to start.

These questions, or some form there of, will appear in an interview. The wise reader will take each one a prepare an answer just in case. This process of preparation will build confidence and provide insight into the entire process.

The book is not a great literary work, but it gets the point across. It will provide knowledge into the terrifying world of the interview, and should help build one's skills for when the time comes.

Very general
There are some good tips about strategies and about the importance of hitting on broad themes, but, like most books of its kind, it is too general to be of much value.

Broad and general with little in-depth information/analysis
This book is not for job seekers that have been on at least one job interview. The author covers 250 questions in 150 pages, which basically means there is little worthwhile analysis behind each question and answer. If you are looking to regurgitate the answers presented in this book, be my guest and use it as a reference. But as a graduate student at Stanford University, I found little useful information contained in this book and would not recommend using it in your job search either. ... Read more

Book Description

One of the most powerful forces in business today is the positive psychology movement -- overcoming self-defeating attitudes and developing our talents and positive traits. Much of the new thinking stems directly from the concepts in Norman Vincent Peale's classic bestseller, The Power of Positive Thinking, which has sold over 22 million copies.

After years of extensive research with the Peale Center and major corporations nationwide, Scott Ventrella has adapted these concepts to form a systematic program for people in business so that they can achieve greater levels of personal and professional performance. This audiobook provides a practical way for each of us to actually develop and strengthen the ten traits of a positive thinker.

The Power of Positive Thinking in Business encourages businesspeople at all levels, disciplines, and functions within an organization to concentrate on objective, rational thinking instead of self-limiting beliefs and negative self-talk. The result is an increased ability to deal effectively with tough situations and difficult people, in both business environments and personal lives. Together, rational thinking and the ten traits of a positive thinker can turn defeatist behavior into productive actions that will overcome the toughest of challenges with powerful, positive results. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Written as an antidote to gossip
Scott Ventrella's The Power Of Positive Thinking In Business: 10 Traits For Maximum Results was written as an antidote to the gossip, griping, and negative impediments to team effort that undermines productivity and costs U.S. companies about three billion dollars a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. When the bottom line suffers from negative thinking, so do all the countless individuals who depend upon the business in question. The Power Of Positive Thinking In Business is a careful, easy to understand guide to adopting a healthy, optimistic attitude for positive action, as well as successful payoffs. From stimulating creativity to fostering an environment of trust, The Power Of Positive Thinking In Business is an excellent reference for increasing workplace productivity, and ultimately, saving a great deal of money.

A Helpful Update and Application of Dr. Peale to Business
The Power of Positive Thinking is one of the best selling volumes of all time. In this book, Professor Ventrella has taken Norman Vincent Peale's work and applied it successfully to business. The principles are consistent wih Dr. Peale's original, the examples will be meaningful to most business people, and the book can readily be applied to diagnose the reader's key issues and improve. I found the book easy to read, even easier to use, and insightful. Anyone who wants to apply the principles of positive thinking to business should read and use the material in this book.

Undoubtedly, one of the reasons the book is successful is because it had the support of the Peale Center. In fact, the foreword is an endorsement of the book from Ms. Ruth Stafford Peale.

The book puts the concept of positive thinking very effectively in context. "[Over] 95 percent of the time, people list internal factors as . . . why people fail to reach their full [business] potential . . . ." These are "attitude" issues like "fear," "low self-esteem," "lack of confidence," and having "no clear goals." Also external factors like "lack," "loss," and "limitations" are also controlled by internal perceptions.

The line that really hit me was that "most people start their jobs with a positive, hopeful outlook." This means the "challenge for managers is to create an environment that constantly reinforces and nurtures positive attitudes."

The book provides a road map for applying its concepts to any situation. You start with (1) define the situation (both in terms of business issue and the emotional gravity), (2) then determine what you are telling yourself, (3) determine your desired outcome (goals, affirmation, and visualization), (4) access your positive traits, (5) rehearse the situation mentally, (6) take action, and (7) assess the results of your actions. This is nicely summarized in the end as a Professional Challenge Worksheet.

The book has a very involved definition of what positive thinking is. I won't try to paraphrase or quote it. The main point is that positive thinking is much more than optimism, and is practially tied to a process for producing results.

The book is well grounded in psychological studies of human behavior. In this section, I was particularly impressed with the list of self-limiting beliefs that almost everyone has. These are tied to self-denigration, intolerance, frustration, and blaming others.

The ten traits are as follows: optimism, enthusiasm, belief, integrity, courage, confidence, determination, patience, calmness, and focus. There is a quiz to help you determine where you are strong and where you need work. Each trait then gets detailed treatment, along with suggestions for how to strengthen yourself appropriately in each area. I found the quiz to be helpful and perceptive.

The book is also well grounded in sports metaphors and stories that will be meaningful to many.

I should share that despite having read many books about affirmations and taken many courses in them, I fail to find them to be very useful when I practice them. Research shows that affirmations can be powerful motivators of the subconscious mind if said with emotional conviction. Maybe that's my problem, because I certainly find it hard to locate affirmations that excite me. I hope you find affirmations more helpful than I do.

You can also take the lessons of this book and simplify them into the perspective of the fiction character, Captain James Tiberius Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise. He believed that there was always a solution, and always found one. If you treat your business that way, it can be an adventure rather than an overwhelming burden. Difficulties and setbacks then just become the setting in which to allow you to be more heroic and achieve more.

After you read this book, you should take five business problems that hold the full potential for helping you make breakthrough gains and use this process on them. You have nothing to lose except your pessimism!

Prepare for and live in hopeful expectation of your next business success! Then you will be irresistible!

Positive Thinking AND Action Oriented Approach to Success.
In less than 200 pages, Scott W. Ventrella tries to incoporate the principles behind the Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale into the business world. This original work (Power of Positive Thinking) was translated into forty-two languages and sold over 22 million copies. So, it was inevitable that someone was going to leverage the popularity of this concept and ressurect it. Sure enough, the author Scott W. Ventrella has written this new book as it applies to the business world in cooperation with the Peale Center.

The old concept had come under massive attack in the last decade or so by more recent self-help gurus for its undue amount of focus on positive thinking and not enough on taking action (or how and what kind of action to take). The current book as applicable to modern day business world doesn't make that mistake. There is heavy focus on taking action. This book isn't something you just read through and put away, it is a book that you have to work through and probably refer to several times over the next few years.

The title caught my attention because my very first self-help book was the original 'Power of Positive Thinking' by Norman Vincent Peale. It had given me a lot of motivation to overcome obstacles and achieve a lot of success in life. Of course, even then I recognized that it wasn't enough to think positively. Hence I continued my search for a good self-help book and found 'The Ultimate Secrets of Total Self-Confidence' by Robert Anthony. In that book, the author explores deep into why we are where we are today. It traces everything back to your belief system embedded in your sub-conscious brain and how it manifests itself in your conscious actions during everyday life. These principles of how your belief systems ultimately affect your position in life are absolutely true and will never change. Ventrella combines these two and makes both sets of principles very action oriented. The book gives you a lot of things to do by yourself that will result in success.

This book in combination with other good self-help books (for both business and personal life) should drastically set your path in life towards that of success in business. But one has to really WORK through this book. It is not like the original book by Norman Vincent Peale where you got motivated by just reading the book.

Overall, I felt it was a book worthy of being in my business library collection. It does not provide any paradigm shifting ideas, but instead repackages old theories for today's audience. It does so very effectively and hence it is worthwhile to read and re-read this book till you are satisfied with the business results you are getting. I have already started taking massive action based on these ideas and I am confident that I will see the results. I hope you do too. Good luck!

An excellent reference for increasing productivity
Scott Ventrella's The Power Of Positive Thinking In Business: 10 Traits For Maximum Results was written as an antidote to the gossip, griping, and negative impediments to team effort that undermines productivity and costs U.S. companies about three billion dollars a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. When the bottom line suffers from negative thinking, so do all the countless individuals who depend upon the business in question. The Power Of Positive Thinking In Business is a careful, easy-to-understand guide to adopting a healthy, optimistic attitude for positive action and successful payoffs. From stimulating creativity to fostering an environment of trust, The Power Of Positive Thinking In Business is an excellent reference for increasing workplace productivity, and ultimately, saving a great deal of money.

The Power of Positive Thinking is too weak.
I am an organizational psychologist, and I have been reviewing a lot of bibliography about positive thinking, optimism, depression and related concepts. The very apealing title of Ventrella's book moved me to read it, but I dindn't find what I expected to find. From my point of view, this book by Scott Ventrella has three importantan weaknesses and one strength. First, it adds nothing new or different from the original book by Norman Vincent Peale "The Power of Positive Thinking"; second, during the reading I felt, many times, like I was hearing a preacher and not a man from bussines administration arena; third, in spite of the etimologic analisys of key words used to nominate the 10 traits, Ventrella has a very low conceptual precision. He makes some reference to some cognitive psychologists, like Ellis and Seligman, but the book is far from having a suond psychological foundation. The only strength I found in this book is the style to write: Ventrella has a light, entertaining way of writing. The stories and anecdotes he tells in his book make it easy and nice to read it. Books like this, that attempt to show the efficacy of an approach only based in some "succesfull" cases, without empirical support are not very usefull for changing nothing. From the time of the first edition of the Vincent Peale's book, a lot of literature has been published in the same line. If the subject (to be positive)was so simply and easy as this books say, we couldn't explain why depression continues growing up in the world. I think we need instead a better diffussion of more scientific solid demonstrated concepts and technics to really help people. ... Read more

Book Description

In her New York Times bestseller, Practical Intuition, Laura Day taught us how to use our sixth sense in everyday life.Now, in her groundbreaking new audio,Practical Intuition for Success, Laura Day creates a program to bring intuition to the world of personal finance.Successful business people use it. Investors who've made millions wouldn't make a deal without it.It's Practical Intuition, and we all have it. Now Laura Day shows you how to hone this gut instinct for your own enrichment. It's a whole new way of looking at business--and your life.

At the heart of Day's program is one empowering message: you will be most successful by being yourself.Through her unique program, you will learn to harness the inner power that can start you on the road to wealth.You'll experience how intuition can be a reliable and profitable tool.And the more you practice it, the better the results.

Use Practical Intuition to:

Make more money

Make better decisions

Unleash your financial genius

Solve problems quickly

Create winning business plans and strategies

You have within you everything you need to fulfill your ambitions and dreams. If you tune in to the integrity of your own vision, your own desires, and your own creativity, you can achieve whatever you want. And because that ability is within you, you can start right here, right now and see the results!

Laura Day is the author of the New York Times bestseller Practical Intuition.She has been teaching her seminar of the same name for more than ten years.She lives in New York City.

Practical Intuition is also available from Harper Audio. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Reframes Thinking on Intuition
From a practical standpoint, Day separates thinking of emotions, pure logic and reasoning from intuition. She defines this intuitive thinking as logical and, essential for success. Her thoughts are quite compelling. Rather than the pure gut feeling or abstractions that generally constitute intuition, Day develops an understanding of how this skill can be cultivated from both thought and feeling. Rather than an illogical urge, it becomes a developed sense. The exercises and examples extensively developed empower the reader to adapt this skill for personal achievement. A good read.

Practical as promised
As promised in the title this book is highly practical with easy to understand exercises that train your intuition. Doing the exercises unlocks your intuitive potential and answers questions you didn't even know you were asking.
Highly recommended!

Very Enlightening!
The author opens the reader's mind to the vast potential of one's intution, and how it can be harnessed for success. She shows the reader that intuition can be relied on to answer the simplest of everyday questions to the most difficult business or professional problem. What I found most helpful in the book were the exercises. The exercises showed how intuition manifests itself in everyday life and how I could attune myself to my own intuition. Moreover, the author provided a lot of anecdotes to crystalize her points. A VERY GOOD READ! ... Read more

Book Description

This audio program is your guide for balancing and surviving the stresses of work and family. It will tell you how to make small daily changes. It will help you determine your top priorities.

We have interviewed many of you to obtain the supportive suggestions you will hear on this tape. We have drawn on your wisdom as parents (more specifically mothers and fathers), single parents, employees, and telecommuters, to successfully navigate through all circumstances that you may face.

This is a tape you will want to come back to often, to renew yourself and your family. ... Read more