What Does Somebody Have to Do to Get a Job Around Here?: 44 Insider Secrets That Will Get You Hired

by Cynthia Shapiro

If you are looking for a job you need every advantage you can get. What Does Somebody Have to Do to Get a Job Around Here? puts a former Human Resources executive turned employee advocate in your corner. Cynthia Shapiro reveals the best-kept job secrets that employers don’t want you to know
*Secret #8: A computer is deciding your job prospects.
*Secret #12: Professional references are useless.
*Secret #18: There is a “type” that always gets the offer.
*Secret #21: The Thank-You note is too late.
*Secret #28: Always negotiate.
* …and thirty-nine more!
Once you know the secrets you can create a winning resume, ace the interview, and land the job of your dreams. Cynthia Shapiro, M.B.A., E.L.C., P.H.R ., author of Corporate Confidential, is a former human resources executive and consultant. Now a personal career coach and employee advocate, she provides consultations and advice for employees all over the world. Her unique brand of career advice has been seen on ABC, CNN, FOX News, PBS and MSNBC; in the pages of Fortune, Glamour, Self, Details, Essence, Marie Claire, and is widely read in major newspapers across the U.S. Cynthia Shapiro lives and works in Los Angeles, California.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Reference, Business

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Melody · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a job interview to prepare for, and it's been a long time since I've done an interview cold. So I hustled off to the library and grabbed a couple of books. This is the only one I actually read because it was so scary I was afraid to read any of the others. Shapiro sets herself up here as the keeper of all the secrets, but all the secrets are the same: everybody wants to screen you out, nobody wants to hire you. Ever. No matter what you say or do or wear. There's an almost breathless selling tone throughout, and in the resources section, Shapiro herself appears many times in many hats, which made me question even more the scary tone. I began to wonder if I hadn't just read an extended promo for the website.

Aside from this thread of doom underlying all the tips, there is in fact some interesting information here. It's primarily targeted at the young and ambitious corporate professional type, not the mid-life relaxed Zen type like me. So if you are relatively sanguine and laid-back, you might want to pick a different book, but if you're fresh out of business school and want to swim with the sharks, this might be right up your alley.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a friend who struggled for almost two years to find a job after being laid off. He finally got a top paying job ... by following the suggestions given by Cynthia in this book.

Having worked with senior leadership in large public corporations for many years, I admit that everything Cynthia writes is true (I have seen and heard it all). Some of the things she recommends in the book sound painful to put into action, but she is correct.

I learned some valuable lessons from this book regarding what to do once you have the job. I've followed her advice and it has worked more than once.

If you are not sure, practice what she suggests with a job interview/offer that you really don't want. See what happens.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

1장 당신은 탈락하는 중이다
채용의 비밀 01: 당신은 합격하는 중이 아니라 탈락하는 중이다
채용의 비밀 02: 당신이 모르는 채용 기준이 따로 있다
채용의 비밀 03: 기회는 한 번뿐이다
채용의 비밀 04: 아무도 당신의 실수를 지적해주지 않는다
채용의 비밀 05: 반복되는 실수 때문에 기회를 놓친다

2장 운에 맡기는 이력서는 그만 써라
채용의 비밀 06: 어떤 이력서가 휴지통으로 직행할까
채용의 비밀 07: 이력서에 써도 되는 거짓말이 있다
채용의 비밀 08: 이력서에 주요 키워드를 포함시켜라
채용의 비밀 09: 내부자를 적극적으로 활용하라
채용의 비밀 10: 당당한 자기소개서가 성공 확률을 높인다
채용의 비밀 11: 인터넷에 공개된 개인 자료를 주의하라
채용의 비밀 12: 당신을 추천해줄 지원군을 찾아라

3장 회사가 면접을 하는 진짜 이유는 따로 있다
채용의 비밀 13: 인사 담당자는 당신 편이 아니다
채용의 비밀 14: 인사 담당자는 당신을 함정에 빠뜨리려고 한다
채용의 비밀 15: 인사 담당자는 당신의 말보다 행동을 주시한다
채용의 비밀 16: 절대로 부정적인 답변은 하지 말라
채용의 비밀 17: 성공담으로 인사 담당자의 공격을 방어하라
채용의 비밀 18: 경쟁자보다 열 배 유리한 고지에 서는 방법이 있다
채용의 비밀 19: 당신은 진짜 면접을 하고 있는 게 아니다
채용의 비밀 20: 당신이 준비해야 할 여덟 가지 면접 유형이 있다
채용의 비밀 21: 어떤 면접도 연습 삼아 하지 말라
채용의 비밀 22: 전화를 할 것인가, 말 것인가
채용의 비밀 23: ‘궁금한 게 있으면 물어보라’는 질문에 속지 말라
채용의 비밀 24: 면접은 당신이 회사를 심사하는 자리가 아니다

4장 위험! 숨겨진 덫을 조심하라!
채용의 비밀 25: 회사는 당신의 개인 정보를 확인한다
채용의 비밀 26: 제일 처음 걸려오는 전화를 조심하라
채용의 비밀 27: 이직이 결정되기 전에 회사를 그만두지 말라
채용의 비밀 28: 입사 시 연봉 협상은 선택이 아니라 필수다
채용의 비밀 29: 성공적인 연봉 협상을 이끌어내는 방법
채용의 비밀 30: 아이를 돌봐야 한다고 말하지 말라
채용의 비밀 31: 전 직장에서 있었던 좋지 않은 일은 말하지 말라
채용의 비밀 32: 나이 들어 보이거나 어려 보이면 불리하다
채용의 비밀 33: 사실은 불합격이 아닐 수 있다
채용의 비밀 34: 인사 담당자는 당신의 말을 곧이곧대로 듣지 않는다
채용의 비밀 35: 헤드헌터는 득이 될 수도 독이 될 수도 있다
채용의 비밀 36: 부정적인 생각은 겉으로 드러나게 마련이다
채용의 비밀 37: 당신은 합격일까, 불합격일까
채용의 비밀 38: 꿈에 그리던 직장을 얻는 네 가지 키워드

5장 드디어 합격이다! 이제 어떻게 해야 할까?
채용의 비밀 39: 이제, 당신을 향한 스포트라이트가 켜졌다
채용의 비밀 40: 당신이 먼저 그들의 동지가 되라
채용의 비밀 41: 첫 6개월이 당신의 직장 생활을 결정한다
채용의 비밀 42: 고위층 간부처럼 생각하고 행동하라
채용의 비밀 43: 매일 매일이 새로운 면접이다

결론 채용의 비밀을 모두 안 당신!
채용의 비밀 44: 이제 당신은 모든 힘을 갖추었다

[Jacquelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually couldn't finish this book. There are some good points in here, but the whole book is like a giant sales pitch. ("Don't worry! I'll tell you in secret 4!")

The author keeps repeating herself over and over and at least twice wrote "manger" instead of "manager." An editor would have been a good call, and this book could have been shortened a lot. Ironically, you can act like a hiring manager with this book and just skim the table of contents like a resume to get all the information you need.

This book is also definitely catered towards corporate/office kind of jobs and not directed at regular workers. I borrowed this book to help my neurodivergent brother with job-hunting and interviews. It turned out to not be relevant to us in particular, unfortunately.

[Sonnet Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly effective! I had been looking for a job (in this GREAT economy, ha ha) for about 6 months with zero success when I picked this book up at a thrift store. I'd been interviewing at dozens of places, but never got called back. Some of the content was a little dated, but 95% of it was new, fresh, useful, and advice I had never heard before. It changed my whole mindset, and I approached my next interview totally differently - and was made a very generous offer. It's absolutely worth a read!

[Whig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every job seeker needs to read the book at least twice.

[The Tick · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whole book kind of read like a sales pitch. I could understand the first bit sounding like that, but once you get to a certain point in the book you've pretty much hooked whatever readers you're going to hook, so the sales-y aspect of it could have been toned down. There was also a lot more information in here that was really common sense (or at least that I thought was common sense) than I thought there was going to be, although there were some good tips too.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Gives you an insider view. Ever wonder why your buddy's job offer got yanked? Well, you will have a good idea why after reading this book. I will use this as a reference forever or until Ms. Shapiro writes another book. Anyone on the job hunt can learn something from this book. some people might think she is overstating some of the "glass half full" views, not me, I think it is complete reality that many people choose to ignore at their own peril.

[Phayvanh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geared towards the career-minded folks on the fast track up the corporate ladder, this book still had useful insights for all of us on the hunt for something better. Reminders about the subtlies of resume writing, interviewing, and negotiation.

I'm sure similar type books exist. This one is very helpful though, and written by woman who has been on the other side of the application.

[Marilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I work as a graduate assistant in a college career center, and this book has pointers that I will certainly pass on to students and remember for myself. I myself do not believe that every company plays tricks on its applicants like the author suggests, but she brings up mistakes of others that I will be sure to avoid in future job searches. Great read for all job seekers and new college grads.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another job-hunting book from the library. Agree with Melody's review (she calls it scary); while this book does have useful information, it tries to scare you into believing that every hiring person has his knife out for you (no doubt, to sell more job-hunting books). That's not helpful, surely? Still worth a read, but with skepticism.

[B.A. Haggerty]

I HIGHLY recommend this book!!!! Being a Recruiter myself, I completely agree with all of the tips in this book - such as, "Calling to 'follow up' will always cost you the job," and "Always Negotiate!" Even if you are not currently in the job market, I suggest that you read this book! The value that you get from this information will be priceless!

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the section on answering interview questions. Most of this stuff I already knew, but this would be a good book for a school-leaver. The book is mostly aimed at office jobs and corporate jobs but it has some basic principles that can be applied more widely.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book, but ultimately not much for me here. It is definitely centered around the corporate business world and those hiring practices, not necessarily me, trying to get a job in a library or small nonprofit, or if I get desperate, retail.

[Charlie Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for insight into job hunting and how companies think, this book is incredible. It not only gives job hunting advice, but also some advice as to how you can succeed at a new job. A definite must read.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far this book has actually been fairly helpful since resumes and job searching has changed a lot since I last looked 8 years ago.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blew my mind. It will completely change your approach to finding and keeping a job.

[Ashwise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book on how to get a job with really good tips! Would defintinely read it again. The best tips were the resume, interview and follow-up.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good advice on how to interview and put together a successful resume. The insight on some of the tricks used by hr are very interesting and its nice to understand what they are thinking.

[Chelsea DeVries · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great and full of career advice and secrets that no one will tell you. Found a lot of good resume crafting tips and interview tips that I hope to use in the future.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rare find: a book about job-hunting that actually has useful info in it.

[Mills College Library]

650.14 S5293 2008