How to Get Hired: An Insider’s Guide to Applications, Interviews and Getting the Job of Your Dreams

by Michael A. Harrison

Most people assume that the go-getters surpassing them and climbing up the career ladder must have some sort of impressive, natural talent. However, you can learn 99% of the skills you need to get ahead in your career! A little knowledge and a lot of practice can transform your chances of landing the job of your dreams. In this book, Michael Harrison draws on his experience as a recruiter to compile and explain reliable strategies that will help you get hired. You will learn... On top of all that, you can find additional materials and templates on the book's companion website. How to Get Hired is a comprehensive guide perfect for anyone pursuing their dream job, looking for a promotion, or sharpening their skills. It's time to break out of the cycle of applications, interviews, and rejections.

208 pages, Paperback

Published September 21, 2018

Reviews

[Mickey Dubs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very unsubtle Christmas present.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There is no failure. Only feedback." Robert Allen

British author Michael A. Harrison earned his MBA at Boston University School of Management and as a manager and director he has worked both in the UK and USA. His focus is on that important aspect of recruiting – with both insights as to how employers view candidates and how to prepare for successfully finding a new job. Having learned the essential skills needed to navigate the recruitment process successfully Michael has been developing and sharing these skills – especially relevant in this toolkit book!

In a near conversation manner Michael opens the door to his advice with why he is a specialist in recruiting, providing personal in formation that is reassuring. He takes us through such aspects of finding employment by having us identify our needs and desires, how to search for jobs and once found, how to apply for that job. He offers instruction on the correct way to complete an application, how to research a company that is hiring, the proper way to make a successful presentation with a well considered CV, writing realistic and impressive cover letters, obtaining pertinent references, the interview process and what we should know before, during and after an interview (with a well written chapter on how to be impressive during an interview), the importance of prompt follow-up after an interview (negotiations, the art of accepting correctly), and how to get feedback after an interview ( how to listen and understand and utilize input that will assist on the next job search).

This is as fine a manual on topic of applying for jobs as is available in print. Michael A. Harrison is a leader in this field and his teaching techniques are sound and exceptionally useful. Highly recommended.

[Kevin Parkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

The way we hire in this country (and apparently in the UK) is so entirely stupid and messed up. The author describing some tips further reveals as much, sometimes intentionally (like “hey I know this is messed up but we do it anyways”), and other times he thinks he’s being sincere when it’s like “dude do you even realize how ridiculous you are being right now.” So yeah: it’s a problem.

But, as long as such a system exists, I’m glad that books like this also exist, which help provide concrete strategies. I think I knew a lot of the things presented in this book, but that’s largely because I’m pretty privileged and I’ve been explicitly taught a lot of this already. For people who don’t quite have that capital, I imagine this book would be particularly helpful.

I think a small portion of this book might be slightly outdated given the incredibly quickly changing landscape of the labor market since Covid. For example, for better or for worse a lot of companies are hiring without checking references at all, and perhaps don’t expect to be in touch with current managers quite as much as they used to. Nonetheless, the tips are pretty good and (almost entirely) timeless.

[Karyn H · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to get hired: an insider guide to applications, interviews and getting the job of your dreams

The author of this book Michael Harrison has made it clear that it is not just important to pick up this book and read without the zeal to put its principles into practice. I believe that this is where the difference lies between achievers and the rest of society.
How to get hired is practically very useful for those on the quest for their first job career.

The author takes the reader through very important steps of making your CV more appealing to potential employers. Harrison also made some effort in attempting to describe how to ensure you nail that dream job and also succeed on the job.

I believe the information contained in this book is useful for different categories of people both job seekers and tutors in the field of job seeking. It’s certainly not new anymore to understand that a lot of graduates do not have the slightest idea on how to build an interesting CV that can nail them that dream job.

I will like to say that this book is timely and can certainly withstand the test of time.

[Valery · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Get Hired: an Insider's Guide to Applications, Interviews and Getting the Job of Your Dreams by Michael A. Harrison is a great guide to get you on your way to finding the perfect job. Full of helpful information, the author presents the steps to finding a job in an organized and cohesive manner from putting your thoughts and goals down on paper to negotiating the offer before you accept a job. The author also has kindly provided access to supporting material and documents which are useful when it comes to looking for a job. In addition, the end of chapter summaries are a great way to brush up on the information after you read each chapter, and help you retain what you have just read. This is an extremely helpful tool kit when it comes to searching for a job, all the way from determining what kind of job is right for you to the interview process and following up in a prompt manner. Highly recommend for a spot on guide to getting hired.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looks like it has some really good information in it. I think that I will be able to use more than one section when I graduate college and am looking for a job in my new career. Especially the section of writing resumes will come in handy. There is so much conflicting advice on this subject alone, that I welcome the authors breakdown of how to select the information that will be relevant to your position. The tips for interviews in this book were also very well thought out and although some was common sense advice, most of it were good pointers that will help you relax in the next interview. The fact that the authors professional background is in recruiting lends an experienced and well proven authority to this book. I found it easy to understand and implement and I have bookmarks all throughout it to reference sections later.

[Rachel Kester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Michael A. Harrison explores the often difficult topic of wanting to move on from a certain career but not knowing how to do so. Harrison explains more about why people often feel this way and how their feelings of trying to be secure in a job they don’t like can end up hurting them in the end. He explains that to find your dream job, you have to move, and provides plenty of helpful advice you can use.

Inside the book you’ll learn how to narrow down your job search so you find the perfect job for your needs. You’ll also discover how to write intriguing CVs, prepare for an interview, and many other important topics when it comes to finding a job. Besides this, Harrison provides some extra materials you can use to help make this search easier. At 210 pages, it might take some time to read, but the information hidden inside is certainly worth the investment.

[Jimmy Jefferson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The how to steps of job hunting

How to get hired says it all in the title. Michael Harrison has collected research and put it into a simple easy to follow process for you. This step by step program will help you decide what job you should be doing and then guide you through the interview process, follow up, and what to do next. The book is easy to read and follow and gives you a detailed plan of how to be successful in your chosen career path. I recommend this one to anyone who is looking for a job and having trouble or not sure what to do next. Well written book with good information which is well presented. Check this one out folks. It is a great benefit.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative book containing everything you need to know for an upcoming interview. As you read through you will likely come across things or errors you may have done in the past. What I loved the most was the fact that the author Michael A. Harrison, has the experience from both sides of the bench. He was able to write about what recruiters look for and notice as well as how the interviewee feels. A valuable book for anyone attending a job interview whether it's now or in the future.

[Fate's Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, readable, and geared strongly towards the corporate world but with plenty of good, universal tips like knowing something about the place you're interviewing and how to answer certain common interview questions. I wish there had been at least a mention of common mistakes that will see automated filters trashing your resume, especially in this age of AI, but overall the advice was solid.

[Graeme · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's okay

It's a very quick and simple read. It's handy for me in my job search situation. It coughs be somewhat basic for a lot of readers, though. However, some of the tips are valuable and worth pursuing.

[Victoria Nightingale · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful book to sort of get into the getting a job mindset. The tip on getting your computer to dictate back to you what you’ve written is very smart way to spot easy to miss typos your brain cancels out when reading