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How to Get a Job: Secrets of a Hiring Manager
Job-seeking advice from the author of the Ask a Manager blog.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 4, 2021
Most of the advice in this book is available for free on Green's blog: https://www.askamanager.org/2020/07/h... If you're job hunting, or even if you just think it sounds entertaining to read some job hunting advice (like me), I recommend you start there. As someone who has read Green's blog daily for years, I thought about giving this a lower rating since I didn't learn much. But it's great content if you haven't heard it before.
My favorite part about Green's advice is how well she understands and responds to the difficulties job hunters face. Lots of resume advice says to list quantifiable results, such as "increased sales by 40%." But that's easier said than done! Lots of accomplishments don't come with numbers attached. Green gives another way of thinking about it: you want to describe what you did really well that sets you apart from a hypothetical person who held your position while putting in the bare minimum, even if you can't quantify it. e.g. "Became go-to staff member for relaying complicated technical information to high-profile clients, earning regular compliments for making complex transactions easy to understand." (This is actually an example from one of her blog posts, as I thought it was better than the examples in her book.) It's still not an easy job, but I found it more realistic advice than what I've heard elsewhere.
Similarly, a lot of salary negotiation advice says never to be the first one to give a number, but then doesn't address what to do when a recruiter asks what salary you're looking for! Green lists some possible answers, and also acknowledges that many times you're better off naming a range rather than appearing needlessly adversarial.
Given that I'm a Software Engineer, how much of this advice applies to my field? A surprising amount, but not all of it. The only time Green acknowledged that tech companies are different was her advice to always wear a suit to interviews. I think there were other places where the advice for a Software Engineer would be different, though. I think it would be weird and ineffective to send a thank you note after most whiteboard coding interviews. This is especially true at big tech companies, which tend to have standardized processes where a thank you note wouldn't be considered. The interview prep advice could be sound for non-technical interviews, but those aren't where most candidates get rejected, so I don't think it makes sense to spend a bunch of time preparing for them like you would in a non-tech job. But the resume and cover letter advice sounded good to me, as well as a lot of the miscellaneous advice. (Although I've never been a hiring manager.)
My favorite part about Green's advice is how well she understands and responds to the difficulties job hunters face. Lots of resume advice says to list quantifiable results, such as "increased sales by 40%." But that's easier said than done! Lots of accomplishments don't come with numbers attached. Green gives another way of thinking about it: you want to describe what you did really well that sets you apart from a hypothetical person who held your position while putting in the bare minimum, even if you can't quantify it. e.g. "Became go-to staff member for relaying complicated technical information to high-profile clients, earning regular compliments for making complex transactions easy to understand." (This is actually an example from one of her blog posts, as I thought it was better than the examples in her book.) It's still not an easy job, but I found it more realistic advice than what I've heard elsewhere.
Similarly, a lot of salary negotiation advice says never to be the first one to give a number, but then doesn't address what to do when a recruiter asks what salary you're looking for! Green lists some possible answers, and also acknowledges that many times you're better off naming a range rather than appearing needlessly adversarial.
Given that I'm a Software Engineer, how much of this advice applies to my field? A surprising amount, but not all of it. The only time Green acknowledged that tech companies are different was her advice to always wear a suit to interviews. I think there were other places where the advice for a Software Engineer would be different, though. I think it would be weird and ineffective to send a thank you note after most whiteboard coding interviews. This is especially true at big tech companies, which tend to have standardized processes where a thank you note wouldn't be considered. The interview prep advice could be sound for non-technical interviews, but those aren't where most candidates get rejected, so I don't think it makes sense to spend a bunch of time preparing for them like you would in a non-tech job. But the resume and cover letter advice sounded good to me, as well as a lot of the miscellaneous advice. (Although I've never been a hiring manager.)
January 1, 2025
Just in time fml😭
May 8, 2025
As a federal employee, I may find myself job-hunting soon, so I decided to finally read this book I was gifted years ago. I am a huge fan of AAM, and will basically do anything Alison Green says, so it was comforting to brush up on her job tips. As someone with experience on both sides of the hiring process, I can cosign on essentially everything here. More importantly, she gives practical advice, examples, and addresses specific situations that one might encounter - this is so unlike most books on this topic, which are vague and full of platitudes and stupid “secrets” that are made up nonsense (trust me). I would love for her to release an updated version that addresses the modern landscape, which is full of remote interviews and jobs.
January 14, 2015
I love Alison's blog, and this book didn't disappoint.
March 31, 2017
Clear "do" and "do not" advice. Clear reasoning about why. I love her blog "Ask a Manager" and I will update this review if I get a job by following her advice!
May 16, 2023
I've read Ask a Manager for over a decade, so there wasn't much new here for me. Still, it's very good advice and it's nice to have it collected in one place. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to improve their skills at applying for jobs.
I'm also a hiring manager in the tech industry and I agree with almost all of Alison Green's advice. The only bit I'd disagree with is the focus on cover letters. Green strongly emphasizes them, but honestly I don't pay too close attention to them. Perhaps it's because most of them are perfunctory or just summarize the resume and a good one might actually impress me, as Green suggests. But I haven't seen one like that yet.
I'm also a hiring manager in the tech industry and I agree with almost all of Alison Green's advice. The only bit I'd disagree with is the focus on cover letters. Green strongly emphasizes them, but honestly I don't pay too close attention to them. Perhaps it's because most of them are perfunctory or just summarize the resume and a good one might actually impress me, as Green suggests. But I haven't seen one like that yet.
December 3, 2020
Love this book. I've referenced it during my own job searches, and when creating training and coaching content for employees who are interested in growing their careers. Alison gives plenty of great, actionable advice that isn't flashy, but is effective.
June 23, 2019
A small book of generally good advice when for various steps in a typical job search
October 18, 2020
Resume, interviewing, and negotiating advice from the author of Ask a Manager. Much of it I knew, but there's definitely some stuff I hadn't thought of.
September 29, 2021
Excellent and practical!
October 19, 2021
Amazing insight into the interview process with several tips and lessons I took to heart.
February 23, 2022
99% of the career advice I give my students comes from Alison Green.
December 17, 2023
Clear and to the point.
February 23, 2016
Great advice from one of my favourite bloggers (askamanager.org)! My favourite thing about Alison's approach to her book (and all her advice in general) is the way she calms the anxiety and paranoia that job seekers tend to be paralyzed by. Both practical and reassuring.
July 15, 2016
Very well-written. She approaches the book like she's talking to a real person. The advice is easy to understand. I redid my resume based on her advice, and have a list of notes on preparing for interviews. Here's hoping it turns my job hunt around!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews