Knock 'em Dead 2017: The Ultimate Job Search Guide Paperback – October 1, 2016

I believe Martin Yates’ latest version of his book, “Knock ‘em Dead, The Ultimate Job Search Guide 2017” is one of the important pieces of literature you can acquire this year. I am a bit biased, for sure, as I’ve known Martin for over thirty years. But having just read this latest version, I’m also convinced that the road map he provides is essential to survival in the current, web-i-cized world we all inhabit.Let me begin by stating that the core of hiring hasn’t changed, and Martin realizes that. That core is still about getting in front of the person to whom you would report on the new job and convincing, showing, persuading, and selling him or her that you are the person to hire. Martin offers fresh strategies for handling that situation and provides new answers for even the most off-the-wall interview questions.But what is really different about the job search world today is what it takes to get in front of a person such as that in the first place. By making everyone in the world accessible to everyone else, the Internet has given us the collective ability to create an avalanche – literally millions or billions -- of cover letters, resumes and related job-seeking correspondence. These electronic files land in the laps of the corporate recruiters whose job it is to screen them, almost getting crushed in the process.In self-defense, corporate recruiters and HR departments have created a labyrinth of databases, job boards, codes, systems and procedures that make their companies virtually impenetrable. Job candidates are thus beset with an entirely new language to learn and set of strategies to employ just to get the word out about their candidacy.I mean, who would have thought 25 years ago that it would not be our verbal communication skills but our “SEO” that would be the real key to getting noticed by a company and brought in for an initial interview?What Martin has done is cracked the new code, and now goes on to teach the reader how to do it for him/herself. Martin starts by reverse-engineering the resume, based on data gathered from existing corporate postings for the candidate’s target job. He then goes on to show step by step how to build that resume so that it is Internet compliant, top to bottom. Then he details how to take some of the data from that rebuilt resume and post it to certain social media sites so that they complement its primary message rather than contradicting, competing or being inconsistent with it. Along the way, he indicates specifically which of today’s hot media to use and which not.Once all that is done, and the resume is getting noticed, Martin then goes on to guide the candidate through the interviewing, follow up, offer and hiring process.What worries me most about Martin’s new book is not what it is, but how it may be used. While it has full and engaging explanations and strong intellectual content, the book is not meant to serve as an intellectual exercise. What Martin has to teach will only work if it is actually implemented. So for instance, when he relates how to handle a particularly tricky interview question, it is not enough to read it and nod.Rather, the reader needs to convert Martin’s lingual style to his or her own, outlining his or her answers and practicing them until they are reflexive. That action will arm the candidate’s behavioral arsenal with real and useful ammo for the interviews.It’s important to do this because if you’re looking for a job, you really want to complete your search and start at your new post soon, before the year is up and the marketplace changes yet again.

Knock Em Dead provides job seekers valuable hints, information and guidelines for anyone seeking a job and going through the application, interview and salary negotiation process. It's a must even though you may feel like "I've been there and done that!" New job seekers recently graduated from college will find this to be their "Bible" for landing a sought after job. Also federal employees seeking jobs in the private sector. Don't even try without first learning how to write a Resume, Cover Letter and how to assure your Resume does not end up in the hopper of an Administrator. Prepare, prepare, prepare if you want to be successful. This book will help you succeed. Everyone I have recommended this book to, has come back and thanked me, even though they were seasoned job seekers. Good luck.

I was looking for something to help me with my job search. After 20 years of working in various industries and holding a number of different job titles, I finally knew what I wanted to do. However, I had no idea what steps to take to get my "dream" job. I had read articles Marin Yate wrote, and was always impressed with his knowledge and advice. One of the articles mentioned this book, so I checked it out. The reviews were outstanding, and sounded like the exact help I needed. I cannot say enough about this book! It gives you step by step advice through the entire job search process. What are your skills, how to script your resume, what questions will be asked during the interview and what are the responses the interviewer is looking for, how to answer those dreaded questions (like what is your weakness) in a positive and productive way, how to network to get results you want, how to negotiate, and SO much more! Truly, this book walks you through every step. I am so grateful I read and followed the advice in this book. I am no longer anxious about my job search, because I am well prepared to nail it! All I can say is Thank You for writing this book!

This book has been an incredible resource for me while I navigate my career transition. I appreciate that it is fully comprehensive and promotes the integrated job search method. Completing the 'target job deconstruction' exercise takes time, but it has helped me shift and focus my resume/LinkedIn profile and ultimately, my mindset on my desired career trajectory. Yate's no nonsense and honest approach is refreshing-and the fact that this is updated on a yearly basis makes the content relevant. I've combined the resources in this book with additional professional career coaching and other websites I'm following through LinkedIn and believe I'm receiving the best advice there is to job search strategy! Now I just hope all my hard work will pay off. I do wish that his resume example in the book actually looked like his outline and exercises-the samples on the website align more completely. I also wish his website were more navigable and functional. Many items referenced in the book are hard to find or nonexistent on the website-and a lot of links/promotions are outdated.