The Dirty Little Secrets of Getting Your Dream Job

by Don Raskin

Drawing on his extensive experience evaluating applicants for his marketing agency, and featuring stories based on real-life situations, sample cover letters, resumes, and straightforward advice, Don Raskin’s The Dirty Little Secrets of Getting Your Dream Job offers all the necessary tools for navigating the tough job market and securing your dream job.Don Raskin owns and operates MME, an advertising and marketing agency in New York City. During his twenty-five years at the agency he has interviewed hundreds of new college graduates for positions within his agency and has placed a strong emphasis on entry-level recruitment for positions in creative, account management, traffic, and production. Raskin has also mentored countless students and their parents on best practices for the job search. Over the years, Raskin has kept exceptionally detailed notes on the interviews he has conducted, observing the good, the bad, the ridiculous, the irreverent. He also has a treasure trove of over-the-top cover letters, resumes, interviews, and post interview follow-ups he has conducted and received. Now, he wants to share all the wisdom and insider secrets he has gathered to help students and first-time job seekers find a job in this economy. Based on his remarkable expertise, Raskin's book provides exclusive insight into the job search process and lets readers in on all of the dirty little secrets to landing their first job—or a new one—and finding career success.

Genres: Business, Self Help

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 5, 2016

Reviews

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid book of advice for those looking for their first job or that find themselves stuck in the rat race of job interviews without much success. It skews a bit toward more creative industries, but most of the tips are good and can easily be tailored into more “serious” careers.
It also contains some pretty solid tips on how to handle yourself once you’re hired and during the first year of your career. It might be that I’m older than the intended target, but I found it a little funny (depressing) that it’s actually necessary for the author to remind people to be professional while on the job. You shouldn’t need to be reminded to keep things professional during work hours and concentrate fully on your job.
I would recommend it as an excellent gift for a high school graduate or someone just starting out in college. It has great tips for what to do once you’re out of college and trying to join the workforce, but the best tips it contains are all things you have to take care of long before you graduate.
(Got a copy from Good Read’s First Reads.)

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read for someone my age as many concepts the author presented have been experienced in my work career. While obviously written for a college student looking for their first job, the book still had many good pointers for those on a future job hunt; certainly a book to pass on to my high schooler. Key excerpts from the author are below.

- Since I have read your resume before meeting you, I already know the facts about your education and experience. What I don't know is your strength of character, your work ethic, and your level of confidence. p3.
- If you love a field of study in which very few jobs are available, you should minor in it. p11.
- You need to provide information in your email cover note to start the process of having a conversation, get me interested in you, and most importantly, get me to take action and spend time with your material. p27.
- I really don't want to hire someone who brings a negative energy to work every day at my company. p68. PJK. Supervisors feel this quickly; almost on day 1 of a poor employee's tenure.
- No matter how much a new employee is being paid, he or she is overpaid for the first six months. p128. PJK: Ouch!!! But so true!
- If you are doing what your boss or client is asking you to do, you aren't doing enough. Anybody can do what is expected. p133.
- Once you sign on with a company, you are also signing on with its culture. Things like dress code, acceptable behavior, and normal work hours were all established long before you arrived. It is not your job to try to change any of them. p136. PJK: So true, yet many struggle to follow these seemingly simple norms of the business environment.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book free through Goodreads Giveaways. Excellent information for high school graduates that are entering college. This covers everything you need to know to get the job you want after college. There is advice on putting together your resume, cover letters, interviews, negotiating your salary, handling a job offer and more. Once you get your dream job, there is information on being a star employee and moving up in the company.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Dirty Little Secrets" is a fantastic book for not only those people just graduating from college, but for anyone wanting to make a move in their career. It's packed with great ideas and resources to hone your skills from writing your resume, looking for work, the interview process, and salary negotiation. I won a copy in a First Reads giveaway, which was perfect timing. Thank you!

[Losa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the simple advice offered in this book! Little things to tweak and enhance interactions with potential employers. Being a junior in college, the advice was timely and relevant for me, but I would recommend this book to anyone that breathes and wants to get paid (financially, of course, and in learning).

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is geared for people new to the job market, fresh out of school or in their last year of school. It claims on the book cover, "Exclusive insight into the job search process" however it had pretty standard information. This book didn't have exclusive insight.

I didn't find it informative, although I did like Chapter 5 - Five Companies You Don't Want to Work For where they talk about the warning signs of a company that show it may not be an ideal work environment. They are:
1.The "group interview" company: If the company cannot have an individual interview with you. Author says it shows they do not value their job candidates or their own people. Author thinks it's still good practice should you interview in this type of structure.
2.The "no information" company: They offer no info about the job you are interviewing for, tell you the bare minimum of what they think you need to know. Author believes that they should tell you what your day-to-day responsibilities are. Ask if they aren't being clear.
3.The "we don't train you" company: Make sure you know how you will be trained. Some have formal training, informal training, or no training at all.
4. The "drag its feet" company: Author sees this type of company as one where the company believes candidates have nothing better to do than wait around to hear from them.
5. The "bad reputation" company: A company with a bad reputation likely deserves it and you will find out soon.

On page 128, Chapter 6 - How to Be a Star Your First Year on the Job author writes, "Show your employer investing in you will pay off down the line. Employers view every new hire as an investment."

There really are no "dirty little secrets" and the author just uses that expression as a marketing gimmick.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful - I bookmarked several pages that offered ideas of questions to ask during interviews and performance reviews. It’s great to read from the perspective of a senior level executive. I did find it a little stuffy because I believe there are plenty of flexible companies out there. All in all, a good book to reference.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some information was a no-brainer but some of it was insightful.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads giveaway.

I've made a number of hiring decisions over the years and can say that this book gives accurate and practical advise for college graduates coming into the corporate environment. It is well laid out and easy to read. Highly recommended as a gift to college seniors.

[Brit Thorton · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I won this in a Goodreads giveaway*

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have been dropping the pearls of wisdom I received from this book all over the place since I read it. I would recommend this to any young person starting their job search.

[Katie Midgley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It remains to be seen if I actually end up landing my dream job or not, but the advice in this book is practical and helped me while I was obsessing over resumes and cover letters. Probably best for people just finishing up college, but the basic advice is universal.

[Susan Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is ful og great tips for job hunters. Everything from getting an internship to creating e-mails. I was impressed that it also covered what to do when you get a job offer.