The Rules of Job Hunting - Rob Yeung

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Cyan Communications (January 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1904879861
• ISBN-13: 978-1904879862
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.6 x 0.9 inches

Though being a small book, it packs a punch when dealing with job hunting holistically, covering the reasons for finding a job, creating great CVs, networking, itnerviews and negotiations. Rob manages to focus on the important aspects of job hunting, targetting the essentials that boosts your profile and removing redundancies that can drag you down.

Here's the summary in parts which captures most of his message:

1. Understanding oneself

- Strengths and Weaknesses

- By gathering feedback from others

- Knowing exactly what you want (life, goals and dreams) instead of casting a wide net for any job

- Know your priorities in a job in terms of: autonomy, support, family, responsibilities, location, colleagues, company size, social contribution, order, advacnement, ethics, security, leadership, moeny, recognition, mobility, creativity, variety

- Have a vision statement

- Have a plan that is SMART (Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic, Timebound)

2. Creating a great CV

The benchmark here is to have 1 in 4 CVs that can land you in an interview.

- Always tailor to the required job

- Compact but with white spaces too

- Start from scratch, include relevant and recent details of working experiences only

- Keep it simple

- Decide the most appropriate format: Use a chronological format if continuing the same career path; Use a functional format for changing industries to target the required and transferrable skill sets

- Quantify your results

- Summarize your CV into a profile statement (different from vision statement)

- Exclude hobbies unless they have accolades

- Exclude martial status

- Have a proper email address

- Get a 2nd opinion on your CV in context of the job

- Append a good cover letter

3. Networking for opportunities

- List all the people you know in a sitting (from the closest to the furthest) and see who you can call

- Always call people for information (in terms of contacts and referrals) and not for jobs

- Develop a sense of ettiquette

- Always be ready for an interview

- Maintain visibility by always following up

- Have 3 types of referees: Factual, Personal Character, Credibility at work. Make sure these referees are notified of the job applied for.

- Set targets in networking

- ACE your emotions by Accepting, Capturing and Expressing

4. Being unforgettable at interviews

The four most important traits one need to present during the interview are:

1) Chemistry

2) Confidence

3) Capacity for growth

4) Competence

- Remember that the 1st (1st impression) and last 5 minutes (recency effect) are the most important

- Prepare 7 stories of success (especially for entry level) to cover topics on: problem solving, communication, customer/client, leadership, strategic planning/commercial, coaching and development, innovation/change.

- For competency-based questions, use "I or me" focusing on STAR (situation, task, action and results)

- Use your weakness/failure to your advantage, attributing failure to uncontrollable factors; divulging a minor weakness to reveal a strength that is needed for the job. Most important is the way that the weakness was dealt with.

- If the weakness is apparent, simply highlight it at the onset (like pregnancy)

- Talk long term

- Use body language - Listening, right tone, volume, pitch, speed

- Mirror interviewers

- Dress one notch better

- Defer money matters till later (next meetup)

- Prepare for any aptitude test

- Discuss other offers but no names

- Ask questions regarding challenges, autonomy, culture, requirement

- Be positive and optimistic

- Followup letter with reference to openings in other areas and addressing key points in the interview

- Ask for feedback after for learning sake.

Top 10 Questions that are asked:

1) What are your strengths?

2) What are your weaknesses?

3) What motivates you?

4) How would others describe you?

5) Main achievements?

6) Performance targets and how well you perform against them?

7) What are you proud of?

8) Why should we hire you?

9) What can you contribute?

10) What are your passions?

5. Considerations on taking up the job

- Defer spontaneous offers

- Measure your worth - benchmark and negotiate

- Considering the total package (be creative): Bonuses, relocation, profit-sharing, commission, benefits, medical, leave of all kinds, personal development, memberships, perks, flexible hours

- Establish the parameters of the job: reporting hierachy, job requirements, teamwork, starting date, performance criteria

- Reflect and compare this with the initial objectives set out

- Read the small print

- Consider an 'exit strategy'