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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author Ian Allen shares a step-by-step guide to readers on the best practices to create the best chances at finding work, especially that first graduate job, in his book “The Job Hunting Book”.

The Synopsis

Searching for your first graduate job is an exciting time, but can often leave you feeling lost and frustrated. So here’s a secret— it’s not all about you! Getting a job interview is also about your employer. Added to this, the tools that recruiters and job seekers use have changed, and to be successful, you’ll need:

* An online and in-person profile for yourself before you even approach an employer.
* A job application that solves an employer’s problems, and fulfils their hopes and dreams.
* To use technology as the cornerstone of your job seeking process.

In this practical, step-by-step job hunting guide, industry veteran Ian Allan will become your personal career guidance mentor. You’ll be given a foolproof process for writing a resume and cover letter that will go straight to the top of the “yes” pile, and a method for job hunting that includes identifying your skills gaps—and what to do about them.

Plus, Ian will teach you useful strategies for finding the four out of five dream jobs that aren’t advertised, and share actionable tips on how to build relationships so you get that job interview.

Draw on Ian’s decades of experience as an employee, employer and consultant to ensure you become an ideal candidate and land the job you’ve always wanted.

Bonus content: FREE access to four hours of video training and job hunting resources, including LinkedIn profile tips, downloadable templates, and real-world examples of successful job applications.

The Review

This was a well-written and incredibly researched book. The author did a fantastic job of showcasing a clear line of connection between a person getting a job by identifying with the employer themselves. The balance of personable and professional writing styles really elevated this book. It allowed the subject to shine brightly without getting lost in other areas of discussion in the job market. 

The clear-cut guide and interactive element of the book that challenges the reader to utilize these steps for themselves were inspiring to read and watch unfold on the pages of this book. The way the author delved into the impact on the job market these last few years have had, from how COVID-19 has changed how we work experience to the importance of having an online presence for many employers, really made the book feel relevant and accessible to a wide range of readers who are seeking employment in this new world.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, engaging, and insightful, author Ian Allen’s “The Job Hunting Book” is a must-read nonfiction book of 2022. The educational value alone will keep readers invested. Still, the relatable and thoughtful way the author approaches the subject with such honesty and conviction will have readers eager to engage with the author’s guidance and practices and in the field looking for work ASAP. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Life has a way of throwing up challenges. Mine happened in my late teens. In the final year of my apprenticeship a nasty workplace accident forced me to rethink my career.

Fast forward to my early 30s, I’d been a furniture restorer, a furniture removalist, a bingo caller, a pedestrian accident researcher, a condom tycoon (for some reason that failed to impress my girlfriend’s mother), a software engineer, and a lecturer and researcher in spatial science. I won jobs, sometimes due to my tenacity, but looking back, mostly through word of mouth.

In the 90s I started a consultancy and did spatial modelling for universities, the water industry, all levels of the Australian government and the UN. Magically, consulting work and now my employees came via word of mouth.

So, after 40 years as an employee and as a consultant, I’ve learnt that the secret sauce for getting work is relationships, especially professional relationships. These need not be insincere or manipulative. Opportunities naturally arise for those who make the effort. The trick to giving relationships their best chance of yielding work is to put yourself in the other person’s boots and empathize with their problems, their hopes and their dreams. Getting work becomes a simpler exercise when you’ve customized your offering to meet someone’s needs. And that idea is essentially what I’m on about.

I’m a teacher at heart. Now, in my 50’s, I can look back on my career as an employee looking for work, as a consultant winning work, and as an employer hiring and firing. The guidance I write was not around for me when I was starting out. In the absence of a mentor, I had to work it out for myself. And so here are some of my thoughts for you.

https://www.ianallanauthor.com/

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/i-allan/