The Job Closer: Time-Saving Techniques for Acing Resumes, Interviews, Negotiations, and More

by Steve Dalton

The author of  The 2-Hour Job Search  shows you how to land your dream job, from writing the perfect resume and cover letter to nailing any interview and negotiating your offer
 
Steve Dalton’s 2-Hour Job Search simplified the process of finding work by utilizing technology, and now The Job Closer helps you seal the deal by applying his time-saving techniques to the surrounding steps. As a career consultant, Dalton has found that job seekers routinely overinvest in trivial aspects of the employment hunt while underestimating the important ones.
 
In this guide, you’ll learn how to avoid wasted effort and excel in all areas by using tools such
• The FIT Model, which helps job seekers nail the answer to “Tell me about yourself” using principles from the world of screenwriting
• The RAC Model, perfect for writing efficient cover letters and answering “Why this company or job?” in an interview
• The CAR Matrix, designed to help you craft compelling interview stories and deploy them in the most powerful way
• The Prenegotiation Call, which takes the awkwardness out of asking for more and turns your negotiator from an adversary into a partner
• And many more . . .
 
The Job Closer will leave you with more time for networking, making meaningful connections, and showcasing your unique talents, so your odds of success in landing the perfect job improve exponentially

Genres: Business, Self Help, Nonfiction, Productivity, Professional Development, Communication, Audiobook

192 pages, Paperback

Published April 20, 2021

About the author

Steve Dalton is program director for the full-time MBA program at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. He is also the founder and CEO of corporate training firm Contact2Colleague.

Prior to entering the career services industry, Dalton was a strategy consultant at A.T. Kearney and an associate marketing manager at General Mills. He holds an MBA from Duke University and a chemical engineering degree from Case Western University.

Dalton has appeared in the Financial Times, Wall St. Journal, and US News & World Report, and he is a regular contributor at The Huffington Post.

Dalton presents workshops on The 2-Hour Job Search at dozens of schools across North America and Europe each year, and its concepts are taught at over one hundred universities worldwide.

Dalton can be followed on Twitter (@Dalton_Steve), his book's LinkedIn Group (The 2-Hour Job Search Q&A Forum), and at 2hourjobsearch.com. He currently resides in Durham, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Winyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn't consider myself an amateur in job-related things, but this book is very worth your time. Succinct, actionable tips, with personable humour interspersed throughout. Every chapter has something worth your time, but even if you jump around, you will definitely find something that will up your game. There are examples/scripts to follow also, and the advice is relevant in today's environment (he advises rightly against handwritten notes - In THIS economy?)

All the abbreviations/frameworks at first will make you want to roll your eyes, but hey, it works in getting the point across and making sure you have what's necessary to succeed.

This book is also helpful because it shows the importance of the 80/20 and what will get you the most return.
I haven't read his other book but will definitely do so now.

[Nazim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a big fan of Steve's other book (2HJS), I couldn't resist the urge to buy this book and read it in less than a day (even though I'm not actively looking for a job).

As always, instead of playing it safe like most books on job hunting do (and provide the reader with vanilla tips and tricks that we all know by now), the author takes a rather risky approach and creates a well defined & easy to follow step by step framework on how to prepare/answer interview questions! (regardless of the field/role you're applying for).
The book and the various frameworks that it covers (the CAR framework being my favorite) definitely made me rethink how I'm going to revise and answer questions during interviews (I can't wait to try it all out!). With this in mind, I'd recommend this book to anyone who is applying for jobs and preparing for interviews (Good luck!).

(for those who are just starting their career journey and aren't quite sure where/how to start, I'd also recommend reading 2HJS, where the emphasis is placed on where/how to get leads and land interviews in the first place)

[Oks Oriek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and to the point. There is so much conflicting advice on what the resume should look like. Steve Dalton says don’t even worry about your resume. The average time recruiter spends looking at your resume is 6 seconds, 4.8 of which the recruiter looks at job titles, companies and schools in your resume. This is good to know as most career advisers agonize about what should bullet points look like (even though most of the time no one reads them). And job seekers spend countless hours and thousands of dollars to adjust those.

[Cadan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not even looking for a job and found this both very interesting to read and incredibly insightful.

[Lauren Adler · Rating 5 out of 5]

One I will go back to reference, re-read various chapters, and recommend to numerous people for years to come. I found the Interview chapters very helpful for my current job search.

[Richard I Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re interviewing or about to be this is a must read book.

Techniques to help you tell your story

Some key notes to pique your interest

Decisions in interviews made:
5% first min
30% first 5!
60% first 15

18% after first 15
22% after interview over

+Small talk
Listen for cue and build
+Tell me about self or walk through resume
Fit
Favorite insight transition

Car
Challenge action result for tell me about a time

Car matrix

30-45 min

Tell Me about yourself
Why this sector
Why this company
Why this role
A time you failed
Car becomes scar setback then car
Develop from mistakes
Sometimes add a t for takeaway
An ethical dilemma

Disagreed with peers
Disagreed with boss


Rac
Reason. Anecdote connection for why


+Questions I have for you

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful, accessible book that enabled me to secure a job while feeling more comfortable with what's expected throughout the process of CV development (dont spend too much time), LinkedIn presence, networking, interviewing, follow up and negotiation . It also helped get my brother in law a job. I will be referring back to it in future I'm sure (hopefully not too often!)

[Ebony · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you’re looking to streamline your job search efforts, Dalton provides actionable instructions on how to reduce the amount of time spent on resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn while still getting results. There’s a handy acronym for every step of ace-ing an interview. Too many in my opinion, but hey, whichever one you remember is the one you should run with. Everyone should have a story bank for their interview and his CAR (challenge, action, result) matrix should get you there.

I can’t say any of his instructions are “wrong,” but I can say they felt a little detached. He reports good results from his students, but I kept wondering, “when was the last time you used these tips.” And while the book is written for general purpose advice, there should be separate strategies for recent grads and mid-career professionals. He blends them together, but the audience is clearly early career. I’m also waiting on the second edition. There’s something to be said for AI tools. AI screeners, and AI job searches today.

All of that said, he reminds readers that there are humans behind the hiring process and the more we can connect with them before (networking, informationals), during (asking and answering questions personably in the interview), and after (thank you notes, coffee, and 1:1s), the more effective any job search will be.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Job Closer and The 2-Hour Job Search are the next generation of job search strategy. They are written for today’s AI-driven, uncertain job market. In 2025, landing the right job is more and more about networking, branding, and effective communication. Dalton delivers clear and concise methods on every step of the process, which improves your odds and minimizes the downtime between roles. 2 Hour Job Search is a step by step guide to identifying your target companies, building connections in those companies, and securing informational meetings and interviews. The Job Closer covers resumes, LinkedIn, cover letters, interview questions, post interview follow-ups, negotiations, and offer decisions.

As someone who’s been through four job hunts in the past decade, with support from three career transition firms and a bookshelf full of job search reads, I used to recommend and use What Color Is Your Parachute. Today, I use and point people straight to Dalton’s books.

If you want a real edge in a competitive market, start with Dalton. You may not need anything else.

Best of luck in your search. You’re in good hands with these books.

[thechristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensible instructions to navigate landing and launching your career

This book and its companion (The 2-Hour Job Search) have added so much clarity to my dizzying and discouraging job search. They are exactly what I needed to read! So many questions about cover letters, résumés, interviewing, negotiating, and after landing a position were buzzing in my head, and Steve Dalton answered them helpfully. I read this book first, and then The 2-Hour Job Search, and I recommend others do the same. This book will give you the instructions you need to have a useful cover letter, at least good enough résumé, and guide you through interviewing, negotiating, and beyond with confidence. I took notes, and I feel prepared to follow the instructions. I especially like that the book isn't gimmicky or dependent on manipulative tactics. Instead, it's sensible instructions giving you handlebars and confidence to navigate landing and launching your career.

[Gemini · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an insightful book, really helpful. The author takes a different approach to the arduous task of job searching practices. I definitely got some uses out of it & found it helpful so I can really look at things from another perspective & focus on the important stuff. So you pretty much have to think differently about how you approach the job search & interview process. It's good the author is straight up w/ the readers so you know what makes sense to do & not do. Obviously you have to do what works for you but like he mentions in the book nobody really sends a handwritten thank you note anymore for a reason. I would say that there is so much content to cover that this book could be longer or maybe have all these different topics be broken down into its own book. Either way, lots to learn & ponder & implement. So go forth & get cracking on finding that job!

[AcademicEditor · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most disheartening thing about job hunting is the amount of time that you have to sink into preparing an application, a resume, cover letter, interview, and thank you note, only to have the company ghost you, without so much as a thanks-but-no-thanks letter or email. This book is refreshing in that it helps you save time and energy, thus giving you a little feeling of control over your time. It focuses most on having an effective interview, so that all the effort was not wasted. Very handy guide for jobseekers, and those in charge of hiring can learn what to prioritize as well.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concrete step by step plans on how create a great resume or cv and ace your job interview.

It is really designed like a personal consultation from someone who obviously has tonnes of experience helping people land their perfect job.

My favourite thing is that the author gets you to really focus on the most important parts of preparing for the job hunt. Also very interesting is negotiating your salary and conditions in a very professional way.

[Karen Cohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a how-to guide for job hunters. It is intended as a manual, a reference guide, and should be used as such. It is appropriate for a wide range of job seekers, but like all such manuals, will not be appropriate for every job hunter. The information provided within is a guide, and is not - nor is it intended to be - all inclusive.

I was provided with a copy of this text for review, and am providing this review freely.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The companion to the 2-Hour Job Search, this book also got me to stop obsessing over resumes (strive for error-free—no one really reads them all the way through) and cover letters (he gives a framework) and made updating my LinkedIn profile a breeze. He also discusses how to interview, how to negotiate, and how to get off to a great start at your new company.

Dalton's two books are making my job search less of a herculean task.

[Karina Pineda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll read anything Steve Dalton will ever write as it relates to careers. He gives such sound and easy to understand advice. I have not yet followed his instructions to the tee from this book, but I have from his other book (2-hour Job Search), and I got great results from that. But overall, personally, I found his other book more impactful for me. Still highly recommend this book though.

[Brooks Bentley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Dalton does it again! As a retiring military member, I have everything to learn about networking, resumes, interviews, negotiations, and weekly manager meetings. I’m used to the adage, “If you take care of the job, then the military will take care of you.” Thank you for clear instructions that are almost fool-proof!

[SandraViz · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s actually enjoyable to read the book as his approach of asking questions and giving answers is easy to follow, also he asks in his book all the questions everyone thinks but nobody asks. I do feel this book is mainly explaining the American company culture especially this kind of self-promoting is seen bad in some European working cultures I’ve experienced.

[Jeffrey Ning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Dalton is truly master of effective job hunting. Expect different approach from the usual suspects of career coaches or gurus. The primary objective is to get things done not from analysis paralysis or procrastination. It becomes classic reference over others.

[Isabel Giraldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned good stuff in there, it was like hiring a career coach but for the price of a book. Definitely recommend this quick read for job seekers to know there are proven techniques to landing a job and where to spend your time/focus and where NOT to.

[Babar · Rating 1 out of 5]

First of all, its a book
Second, its a huge book
There is a saying in the world of marketing that if you can't explain something in few sentences than its not worth it.
There is also a sale pitch included.

[Very Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

The post-interview section was almost completely new to me! I found the advice on networking to be useful, especially the section on how to conduct ‘coffee chats’. The data on what aspects of the job search/interview matter the most was also helpful for prioritization.

[Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick little read with actionable steps. Can’t rate the efficacy yet, but it’s the only job/career book I’ve ever read that wasn’t just filled with meaningless adages

[Jacktober · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as transformative as the 2HJS but still a fantastic read and a great breakdown for the overall strategy of a successful job search.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Audiobook*

[Olivia]

Read to inform a course I am instructing this semester!

[Olivia Witherite · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this but it would be much better to read and take notes in.

[Haris Odobasic · Rating 5 out of 5]

The one book you need to read for the application process.

[Sebastian Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nuanced, no bull-shit truth-seeking "how-to" book on getting a job. I found it valuable for preparing for a job interview.

[Courtney Pletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful information for the job application process and following up.