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How to Be Great at Your Job: Get things done. Get the credit. Get ahead.
From an author who climbed to the top of the corporate ladder before reaching age 40, this book takes the guesswork out of career success and breaks down what it takes to excel at your job. It covers the basics, like the universal requirements of every workplace—working with other people, making stellar presentations, communicating effectively over email. And it also goes into how to get promoted sooner, impress the people high up on the corporate ladder, and do it all while maintaining your personal life and without working crazy hours. With helpful tips and simple advice, this professional guidebook is just right for someone new to the workplace or for a mid-life career changer.
104 pages, Hardcover
First published August 28, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
November 27, 2018
Quick and great book to read in how to deal with your job in terms of boss, timing, vocation, coworkers, presentation and emails.
January 13, 2019
The title is a bit misleading. Most of the advice is only applicable for a corporate office job. The advice that applies to a larger variety of careers (such as some of the advice about writing emails) isn't unique. I don't think a single piece of advice I encountered was new to me.
The writing itself is clear, if not very interesting.
The writing itself is clear, if not very interesting.
January 3, 2019
A handful of useful tips about more efficient emails, but with limited applicability for non-corporate jobs.
June 18, 2021
Great pointers. It was a quick read and worth it.
We all need help and guidance when it comes to promotions and work and me time.
Im looking forward to reading more by Justin Kerr
We all need help and guidance when it comes to promotions and work and me time.
Im looking forward to reading more by Justin Kerr
January 18, 2021
Really short book, worth a quick skim read (consumed in a single sitting over a couple of hours).
The author assumes a particular organizational context - lots of emails and unclear expectations, you don't already regularly meet with your manager, people regularly work late, presentation is a central part of your work - that sort of thing. As such, it doesn't seem super applicable to my day job as a software engineer. Still some, things are here are useful.
Overcommunicate. If your boss/peers have to ask about the status of a project, it signals some anxiety on their part, and a missed opportunity to proactively communicate on your part. Increase your outbound communication to limit the need for inbound communication (questions, follow ups, etc).
Set the agenda and take the lead in your meetings with your manager. I do wonder how one generates good agenda items every week, especially if you're already giving daily updates to your team in a standup.
If you want to be promoted, set clear goals and check-in with your manager frequently (you set up a weekly 1:1, right?) Track your accomplishments against these goals, and build a 'case' for your promotion like a case lawyer would .
The author assumes a particular organizational context - lots of emails and unclear expectations, you don't already regularly meet with your manager, people regularly work late, presentation is a central part of your work - that sort of thing. As such, it doesn't seem super applicable to my day job as a software engineer. Still some, things are here are useful.
Overcommunicate. If your boss/peers have to ask about the status of a project, it signals some anxiety on their part, and a missed opportunity to proactively communicate on your part. Increase your outbound communication to limit the need for inbound communication (questions, follow ups, etc).
Set the agenda and take the lead in your meetings with your manager. I do wonder how one generates good agenda items every week, especially if you're already giving daily updates to your team in a standup.
If you want to be promoted, set clear goals and check-in with your manager frequently (you set up a weekly 1:1, right?) Track your accomplishments against these goals, and build a 'case' for your promotion like a case lawyer would .
April 27, 2020
Good tips for effective email but other plans/timelines need to be observed within your office before you be so forthcoming as encouraged in the book.
April 5, 2020
The book is simple and concise as how we should be at work.
I found numerous useful tips in the book that I have never considered before, many things I take for granted should be looked closely. For example, I suppose that my manager keeps track all of my works and my teammates’, in contrast, she can only check the whole task, made up from millions of sub-tasks. I should submit her my progress to let her know that I’m moving forward or in trouble. I feel really bad if she keep asking me how my work is going, and it is time-consuming for both.
The book is a great start for any professionals. In my opinion, before becoming a great leader, being a great employee first. You can have a broad view at work from the book, such as how to write an email, how to give a presentation, how to manage your relation at work, how to set goals and get promoted.
Organizing your work neatly is, I think, that most effective way to creat a work-life balance. You get your work done on time, you’ll have time for family, friends, and your own hobbies.
I found numerous useful tips in the book that I have never considered before, many things I take for granted should be looked closely. For example, I suppose that my manager keeps track all of my works and my teammates’, in contrast, she can only check the whole task, made up from millions of sub-tasks. I should submit her my progress to let her know that I’m moving forward or in trouble. I feel really bad if she keep asking me how my work is going, and it is time-consuming for both.
The book is a great start for any professionals. In my opinion, before becoming a great leader, being a great employee first. You can have a broad view at work from the book, such as how to write an email, how to give a presentation, how to manage your relation at work, how to set goals and get promoted.
Organizing your work neatly is, I think, that most effective way to creat a work-life balance. You get your work done on time, you’ll have time for family, friends, and your own hobbies.
December 18, 2019
At first glance, this quick read on how to be great at your job seems too simple and pretty common sense. That said, after applying some of the tips and practices, I found these simple shifts to be incredibly effective and impactful. It's a testament to the ideas of keep it simple and start small. I'm officially a big fan of these books and the author. P. S. I highly recommend bringing Justin Kerr to your organization. He's changing the world one meeting at a time. (This is an updated review after meeting the author and applying some of his advice.)
December 19, 2021
Great tips, fantastic formatting
This book is one of the best self-help books I've ever read. It gets to the point with virtually no fluff.
Nearly every sentence was valuable, so summarising this book in my notes was actually difficult (unlike some other self-help books). The author also provides detailed subheadings when reading, so that you know exactly what knowledge is contained within the chapter. The tips provided are practical and I'm sure many readers will appreciate that.
This book is one of the best self-help books I've ever read. It gets to the point with virtually no fluff.
Nearly every sentence was valuable, so summarising this book in my notes was actually difficult (unlike some other self-help books). The author also provides detailed subheadings when reading, so that you know exactly what knowledge is contained within the chapter. The tips provided are practical and I'm sure many readers will appreciate that.
March 6, 2019
"People tend to get distracted by the politics of the workplace (bad bosses, unfair deadlines, conflicting priorities), but that's just noise and none of it matters when it comes to finding your own personal success at work." ~ Author Justin Kerr. This is a small-ish book full of great advice for success in your professional job: work habits, proactive organized communication, getting along with coworkers, achieving recognition and promotions, and balancing life and work.
November 25, 2018
If you’ve never read Justin’s work before, this is a good introduction to his writing pace and tone. I’d read “How to be a boss” and “How to write an email” and enjoyed them both. This book is more of a Cliff’s Notes of “How to write an email.”
I finished it on a short plane ride.
It might make a nice gift to a recent grad or someone working at a big company for the first time.
I finished it on a short plane ride.
It might make a nice gift to a recent grad or someone working at a big company for the first time.
January 1, 2020
Where was this book 15 years ago when I was embarking on my career?! Still got some good tips, and it's going to the TOP of my list of books I recommend to entry-level professionals. Great read, especially for people newer to the corporate environment.
August 22, 2020
I think this is a great book for anyone who needs pointers on how to succeed in the working world. This book was a quick read that offered practical tips & examples that one can immediately put into practice.
June 15, 2023
A fantastic relatable read, especially for people working in corporate, you can envision how you can implement the strategies described on the book, and you can grasp that there is a framework to take into consideration in addition to your needs and perspectives.
January 13, 2019
Great book to read if you want to get better at your job or stand out for that promotion
February 2, 2019
It's super short, and gave me some good ideas to use as a teacher to be more effective.
September 3, 2019
A pretty useful book for fresh graduates.
September 5, 2019
Good advice presented simply. Not sure it's a panacea, but can't hurt.
October 6, 2019
Perhaps a good book for those starting out in the workforce.
December 28, 2019
Short and concise
The author gets straight to the point, his advice is direct, actionable, and just common sense for the most part.
The author gets straight to the point, his advice is direct, actionable, and just common sense for the most part.
July 29, 2020
Nice book, easy going language, practical in the tips and tactics. I’ve had recommended it for my work colleagues
January 12, 2021
Great and easy read for anyone working - especially good if you’re feeling like you’re in a funk at work. Can you remind you of basic things you can be doing to help boost your career again!
March 27, 2021
Title says it all. Such a great read!
September 10, 2021
I was in a toxic work environment when I first read this book and it really helped me! Justin Kerr is the best.
February 23, 2022
No nonsense, bottom line, straight to the point kind of writing. It feels like having lunch with someone that has a lot of experience but not a lot of time to dance around the topic.
July 20, 2022
Quick read, recommend for work!!
July 25, 2023
Quick easy to refer rules of thumb
January 11, 2024
A quick and straightforward reminder of some good practices and advice. Some of it is not totally applicable to a non-corporate job, though.
July 10, 2024
Easy to digest, a rapid read and provided some very good practical tips. Would recommend as a good introductory book for entry level employees.
September 13, 2024
leuke tips en ideeen. kort boek. vlot leesbaar.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews