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Clock In: No-BS Advice for Getting Ahead in Your Career
Career advice that actually works from a straight-shooter recruiter
Did you know the average job search takes more than five months? That’s because today’s job market is more challenging—and more confusing—than ever. How are we supposed to get hired, get paid, and get ahead in our careers? Why is everything so complicated and gatekept?
That’s where Emily the Recruiter comes in. Using her years of experience as a recruiter and career coach, she pulls back the curtain on everything employment-related and tells you all you need to know about job hunting, networking, and not letting your boss drive you crazy. A much-needed antidote to the “gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss” ethos, this guidebook gives you the real talk you need to lock in when you clock in.
You’ll learn how
Optimize your résumé and LinkedIn profileNetwork like a proStrike a healthy work-life balanceCrush job interviews and salary negotiationsDefeat impostor syndrome and communicate with confidenceSucceed in your career without making it your whole identity
If you’re ready to work smarter, not harder, Clock In is the no-filter, no-fluff resource you need to thrive in your nine-to-five—and beyond.
Did you know the average job search takes more than five months? That’s because today’s job market is more challenging—and more confusing—than ever. How are we supposed to get hired, get paid, and get ahead in our careers? Why is everything so complicated and gatekept?
That’s where Emily the Recruiter comes in. Using her years of experience as a recruiter and career coach, she pulls back the curtain on everything employment-related and tells you all you need to know about job hunting, networking, and not letting your boss drive you crazy. A much-needed antidote to the “gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss” ethos, this guidebook gives you the real talk you need to lock in when you clock in.
You’ll learn how
Optimize your résumé and LinkedIn profileNetwork like a proStrike a healthy work-life balanceCrush job interviews and salary negotiationsDefeat impostor syndrome and communicate with confidenceSucceed in your career without making it your whole identity
If you’re ready to work smarter, not harder, Clock In is the no-filter, no-fluff resource you need to thrive in your nine-to-five—and beyond.
- GenresNonfiction
256 pages, Hardcover
Published May 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 19, 2026
I just finished the audio for this book while working on a project at work and I’m going to buy the physical copy right now. There’s so much good information in this book and the entire tone is conversational. I’m learning and trying to pick up habits but I don’t feel like I’m being lectured or just told what to do which I find to be the case in many self help books. I felt like I was having a conversation with a friend who is a well versed corporate girlie. I really enjoyed my listen of this book and what I got from it but looking forward to getting my physical copy so I can highlight and take more notes. Don’t mind me while I casually update my resume.
May 26, 2026
Great book for people just getting started and are actively looking for a job (which duh, Emily has experience in this so it makes sense this would be a larger portion of the book)!
Overall an enjoyable read but a lot of it did not apply to me as someone wanting to grow in their current role. Some good eye opening data shared and good exercises to go through for people trying to figure out what their next steps are.
Overall an enjoyable read but a lot of it did not apply to me as someone wanting to grow in their current role. Some good eye opening data shared and good exercises to go through for people trying to figure out what their next steps are.
May 20, 2026
I feel like this was the support/advice I needed to actually get my career where I want it to be. It was super clear/actionable and didn't feel overwhelming or basic advice. But honestly my fav part was it's just really funny.... like I enjoyed the whole thing. Loved.
May 25, 2026
Easy to read. Could be useful for people just starting their careers but nothing earth shattering. I like Emily Durham’s videos more plus she says there verbatim most of what she says in the book anyways.
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May 25, 2026ARC reader here 🙋🏽♀️
A huge thank you to Penguin Random House for sending me a copy of this book.
Right off the bat, this book had an incredulous amount of detail. It felt like picking apart a recruiter’s brain and it had me annotating and tabbing every alternate page.
While the advice was incredible for someone just starting to build out their application portfolio and for the ones planning a transition, in my opinion, the book fell short on advice for immigrant job seekers. Durham does acknowledge the continued existence of discrimination in the recruitment process, but there wasn’t a lot of detail on how to make it past that discrimination.
Nevertheless, the book is a great resource and I have it on my desk as a reference point for every job application I put through.
A huge thank you to Penguin Random House for sending me a copy of this book.
Right off the bat, this book had an incredulous amount of detail. It felt like picking apart a recruiter’s brain and it had me annotating and tabbing every alternate page.
While the advice was incredible for someone just starting to build out their application portfolio and for the ones planning a transition, in my opinion, the book fell short on advice for immigrant job seekers. Durham does acknowledge the continued existence of discrimination in the recruitment process, but there wasn’t a lot of detail on how to make it past that discrimination.
Nevertheless, the book is a great resource and I have it on my desk as a reference point for every job application I put through.
May 23, 2026
I absolutely loved reading this book and how relatable it felt to my own career in the corporate world. The author’s tone of voice felt like a close friend who gives you the hard truth or your work-bestie who you gossip with.
The book was digestible and felt authentic. Many career books are out of touch or unrealistic - Clock In is one that all women in the workforce should read or even students looking to land their first job.
The advice about resumes, networking and promotions was so insightful and helped me navigate my own career goals and has provided guidance on showing up for myself while also maintaining healthy work-life balance.
I love the pink cover!
The book was digestible and felt authentic. Many career books are out of touch or unrealistic - Clock In is one that all women in the workforce should read or even students looking to land their first job.
The advice about resumes, networking and promotions was so insightful and helped me navigate my own career goals and has provided guidance on showing up for myself while also maintaining healthy work-life balance.
I love the pink cover!
May 26, 2026
This book is a gem 💎 whenever you are in your career, whether you are landing your first job out of university (I wish I had heard half the stuff she says about that then!) or have 10+ years of experience.
It gave me a fresh perspective on my value in the workplace. Emily is like your work therapist, she’s a straight shooter, will kick your but and give you the best advice to get back up and be better.
🎧 I bought the paper copy to take notes + listened to the audiobook because she’s is hilarious.
Spoilers, you will :
- have a good laugh
- reframe your narrative and feel more confident
- upgrade your CV
- be left wanting more.
It gave me a fresh perspective on my value in the workplace. Emily is like your work therapist, she’s a straight shooter, will kick your but and give you the best advice to get back up and be better.
🎧 I bought the paper copy to take notes + listened to the audiobook because she’s is hilarious.
Spoilers, you will :
- have a good laugh
- reframe your narrative and feel more confident
- upgrade your CV
- be left wanting more.
May 21, 2026
I love Emily’s videos so when I saw she was coming out with a book I knew I had to read it. For my work in nonprofits not all the advice is applicable and I don’t need help with confidence- but all the resume stuff was fantastic. And the discussion in the first chapter about stereotypes and gender bias was really eye opening and good knowledge to have an empower people. I listen to the audiobook and loved it but I do recommend the physical book since she has a lot of writing exercises in the beginning.
May 25, 2026
3.5
I found I really enjoyed the writing and there were some helpful tips and tricks but I found that especially with the getting a job part there wasn't enough for that and I also found it awkward to promote purchasing LinkedIn Premium when those of us who are unemployed don't have the money to spend it on it to help me get a job. As well as changing a job every 2 to 3 years, I can appreciate that but I go yes increasing earnings is important but sometimes it's not always feasible or realistic to do that.
I found I really enjoyed the writing and there were some helpful tips and tricks but I found that especially with the getting a job part there wasn't enough for that and I also found it awkward to promote purchasing LinkedIn Premium when those of us who are unemployed don't have the money to spend it on it to help me get a job. As well as changing a job every 2 to 3 years, I can appreciate that but I go yes increasing earnings is important but sometimes it's not always feasible or realistic to do that.
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May 30, 2026As someone who has an established career this wasn’t a very helpful book for me and that’s okay! Hope the girls starting out love it!
It was fun to support a Toronto author and it was still a good read.
It was fun to support a Toronto author and it was still a good read.
May 23, 2026
This should be required reading for anyone starting out a corporate job.
May 23, 2026
Loved the book, the tangible insights and humour!
May 23, 2026
What a great read. well Worth the time and buy!
May 23, 2026
Didn’t expect to love this as much as I did!
May 23, 2026
Educational, entertaining and captured my attention from first page
May 23, 2026
Great read! I always listen to her podcast so I knew I had to try the book.. didn’t disappoint.
May 27, 2026
If I could give this book 10 stars I would.
I wish this book existed when I was first starting my career, but honestly the advice is just as impactful and important now.
I wish this book existed when I was first starting my career, but honestly the advice is just as impactful and important now.
May 29, 2026
Mildly helpful! Fun voice and audiobook. Not groundbreaking but I probably will return to select parts.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews