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The 2-Hour Job Search: Using Technology to Get the Right Job Faster
Use the latest technology to target potential employers and secure the first interview--no matter your experience, education, or network--with these revised and updated tools and recommendations.
Technology has changed not only the way we do business, but also the way we look for work. The 2-Hour Job Search rejects laundry lists of conventional wisdom in favor of a streamlined job search approach that produces results quickly and efficiently. In three steps, creator Steve Dalton shows you how to select, prioritize, and make contact with potential employers so you can land that critical first interview.
In this revised second edition, you'll find updated advice on how to efficiently surf online job postings, how to reach out to contacts at your dream workplace and when to follow up, and advice on using LinkedIn, Indeed, and Google to your best advantage. Dalton incorporates ideas from leading thinkers in behavioral economics, psychology, and game theory, as well as success stories from readers of the first edition.
The 2-Hour Job Search method has proven so successful that it has been shared at schools across the globe and is a formal part of the curriculum for all first-year MBAs at Duke University. With this book, you'll learn how to make it work for you too.
Technology has changed not only the way we do business, but also the way we look for work. The 2-Hour Job Search rejects laundry lists of conventional wisdom in favor of a streamlined job search approach that produces results quickly and efficiently. In three steps, creator Steve Dalton shows you how to select, prioritize, and make contact with potential employers so you can land that critical first interview.
In this revised second edition, you'll find updated advice on how to efficiently surf online job postings, how to reach out to contacts at your dream workplace and when to follow up, and advice on using LinkedIn, Indeed, and Google to your best advantage. Dalton incorporates ideas from leading thinkers in behavioral economics, psychology, and game theory, as well as success stories from readers of the first edition.
The 2-Hour Job Search method has proven so successful that it has been shared at schools across the globe and is a formal part of the curriculum for all first-year MBAs at Duke University. With this book, you'll learn how to make it work for you too.
240 pages, Paperback
First published March 6, 2012
892 people are currently reading
2584 people want to read
About the author
Steve Dalton
2 books45 followersSteve 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
August 16, 2013
Let me begin by saying that, like every nonfiction book I've read in the last ten years, this has a lot of padding. The main culprits here are:
- paragraphs on end explaining how other job-hunting books fall short and how this one is different.
- semi-relevant anecdotes drawn from recent sociology.
- high-school-essay writing tricks. (At one point in a Q&A section, the question says something like, "How do I do X?" and the answer begins, "The real question is, how do you do Y?" Um ... Steve, you were the one who wrote the question.)
I don't know -- maybe the natural length for a nonfiction book is 75 pages?
However, I'm still giving it four stars, and that's because every job-hunting book says, "Build a good network and use it," but this is the first book I've ever read that told you how.
I found this book at the library when I had already started my job search. I had had two "informational interviews," and in both cases I found myself face to face with someone who was willing to meet with me and willing to help me and ... I didn't know what to ask for. "Can you give me a job?" is a no-go, but "What can you tell me about the company culture?" only gets you so far, and in the end I walked away feeling like I had just wasted the opportunity and didn't know how to proceed.
The insight that struck me most strongly was that the purpose of an informational interview isn't really to get information -- it's to establish connection. And the book actually tells you how to do this, and what to do next.
It's a quick read; I did all the exercises, and they truly didn't take any longer than advertised. Can't tell you it got me a job -- yet -- but I do recommend it.
- paragraphs on end explaining how other job-hunting books fall short and how this one is different.
- semi-relevant anecdotes drawn from recent sociology.
- high-school-essay writing tricks. (At one point in a Q&A section, the question says something like, "How do I do X?" and the answer begins, "The real question is, how do you do Y?" Um ... Steve, you were the one who wrote the question.)
I don't know -- maybe the natural length for a nonfiction book is 75 pages?
However, I'm still giving it four stars, and that's because every job-hunting book says, "Build a good network and use it," but this is the first book I've ever read that told you how.
I found this book at the library when I had already started my job search. I had had two "informational interviews," and in both cases I found myself face to face with someone who was willing to meet with me and willing to help me and ... I didn't know what to ask for. "Can you give me a job?" is a no-go, but "What can you tell me about the company culture?" only gets you so far, and in the end I walked away feeling like I had just wasted the opportunity and didn't know how to proceed.
The insight that struck me most strongly was that the purpose of an informational interview isn't really to get information -- it's to establish connection. And the book actually tells you how to do this, and what to do next.
It's a quick read; I did all the exercises, and they truly didn't take any longer than advertised. Can't tell you it got me a job -- yet -- but I do recommend it.
October 6, 2021
In B-school, I'm a mentor to incoming students and this was a required book read in preparation for the upcoming recruiting season. It was a great resource for MBA's and others on the job search. I think the LAMP priority list turned out to be helpful. I was daunted at first and kept putting it off, but once I actually sat down to do it, it wasn't that bad and since has been helpful to effectively targeting the companies I'm interested in.
While this book may not be perfectly targeted to others trying to find a job (those with more years of experience, those still in undergrad work) the principles still apply and will be helpful.
Update 2021: I’ve only changed jobs once since school, but I used the LAMP list method and still found it valuable to focus my efforts. In reality, the jobs you transition to might not be on your LAMP list, but the process still is valuable to help identify what you want in your next gig.
While this book may not be perfectly targeted to others trying to find a job (those with more years of experience, those still in undergrad work) the principles still apply and will be helpful.
Update 2021: I’ve only changed jobs once since school, but I used the LAMP list method and still found it valuable to focus my efforts. In reality, the jobs you transition to might not be on your LAMP list, but the process still is valuable to help identify what you want in your next gig.
October 11, 2018
I love a self-help book that knows what it is about and is incredibly detailed and thorough. This is one of those books. You may not want or need to apply every technique from Dalton's process to your own, but you will walk away with an understanding of why the techniques he outlines are valuable and worthy of consideration in your process. You can take pieces or the whole.
Three big things I learned from this book:
1. Don't waste your time looking at job postings and applying for jobs through the front door. It's not good for your confidence, it only offers a skewed view of what the company is actually looking for or doing, and it's time consuming. Instead, you need to learn to squint your eyes and just get a sense from the job titles of whether the company might be hiring someone with your skillset. That's all you really need to know.
2. Instead, set up as many informational interviews as you can. Find people in these companies who you can meet with and learn from. Let go of the desperation to "get a job" and instead make this an opportunity to get to know lots of new people at different companies. This is rare and special in itself. The point of an informational interview is to genuinely connect with a human being who works at the company and to learn from them. Getting an internal referral is not the point, though that is a good outcome and will happen naturally.
3. As you do more of these interviews, three things will start to happen. One, you will get good practice at telling your story and you'll learn how to shape it. Two, you'll get a better sense of what you're looking for in your next role. Three, you will learn a lot from people and will be able to offer more to each new person you meet because of what you've been learning along the way.
It's refreshing to realize that a job search can be done differently. Yes, ultimately you still have to go through interviews and all that, but Dalton's approach brings a spirit of curiosity and efficiency to the process that I really like. Job searches can be incredibly demoralizing and you need a process that has the effect of building up your confidence and excitement as you go. This way, when you have a setback, it's not the end of the world.
Three big things I learned from this book:
1. Don't waste your time looking at job postings and applying for jobs through the front door. It's not good for your confidence, it only offers a skewed view of what the company is actually looking for or doing, and it's time consuming. Instead, you need to learn to squint your eyes and just get a sense from the job titles of whether the company might be hiring someone with your skillset. That's all you really need to know.
2. Instead, set up as many informational interviews as you can. Find people in these companies who you can meet with and learn from. Let go of the desperation to "get a job" and instead make this an opportunity to get to know lots of new people at different companies. This is rare and special in itself. The point of an informational interview is to genuinely connect with a human being who works at the company and to learn from them. Getting an internal referral is not the point, though that is a good outcome and will happen naturally.
3. As you do more of these interviews, three things will start to happen. One, you will get good practice at telling your story and you'll learn how to shape it. Two, you'll get a better sense of what you're looking for in your next role. Three, you will learn a lot from people and will be able to offer more to each new person you meet because of what you've been learning along the way.
It's refreshing to realize that a job search can be done differently. Yes, ultimately you still have to go through interviews and all that, but Dalton's approach brings a spirit of curiosity and efficiency to the process that I really like. Job searches can be incredibly demoralizing and you need a process that has the effect of building up your confidence and excitement as you go. This way, when you have a setback, it's not the end of the world.
January 26, 2021
I basically moonlight as an unpaid career consultant. Many people who want to transition their careers, especially from government to tech, reach out to me. I’ve spoken to thousands of people about career transition and helped hundreds of people land jobs. This book is a decent primer for people who don’t know anything about how to efficiently job search and need a systematic, step-by-step approach to doing so.
I disagree with the author on a few points:
1) There’s no need to constantly follow up to provide updates. Assume everyone is extremely busy. One succinct follow up is sufficient, and that follow up should a) thank the person b) discuss how you acted on their advice c) thank the person again. Only follow up when there is an actual update to provide.
2) Do not call people you don’t know unless requested/scheduled. As an introvert, I find phone calls incredibly invasive, so calling my personal phone without advance warning will not sit well with me.
3) The author generally encourages readers to treat informationals like purely relationship building meetings (which they partly are), but advised against getting very specific about their asks. I disagree with this default approach. Don’t make your interlocutor guess what you need, that’s disrespectful and a waste of their time. Phrase what you want in a clear and polite way, at some point in the meeting. While it’s ultimately on the reader to “read the room” to see what type of person they are dealing with (e.g. wants to chit chat for hours, or wants to cut straight to “how can I help?”), I would err on the side of being specific rather than asking general questions. That specificity is what makes informationals value-added, as general information can be found online.
I disagree with the author on a few points:
1) There’s no need to constantly follow up to provide updates. Assume everyone is extremely busy. One succinct follow up is sufficient, and that follow up should a) thank the person b) discuss how you acted on their advice c) thank the person again. Only follow up when there is an actual update to provide.
2) Do not call people you don’t know unless requested/scheduled. As an introvert, I find phone calls incredibly invasive, so calling my personal phone without advance warning will not sit well with me.
3) The author generally encourages readers to treat informationals like purely relationship building meetings (which they partly are), but advised against getting very specific about their asks. I disagree with this default approach. Don’t make your interlocutor guess what you need, that’s disrespectful and a waste of their time. Phrase what you want in a clear and polite way, at some point in the meeting. While it’s ultimately on the reader to “read the room” to see what type of person they are dealing with (e.g. wants to chit chat for hours, or wants to cut straight to “how can I help?”), I would err on the side of being specific rather than asking general questions. That specificity is what makes informationals value-added, as general information can be found online.
February 8, 2024
Edited my review to 5 stars
because I got a job
because I got a job
November 27, 2017
This was my third time trying to make it all the way through the book and finally succeeded. I agree with most of what Steve Dalton says, and have found varying levels of success following his different bits of advice. I definitely think it is worth reading once for anyone who may at some point be searching for a new job.
One suggestion for readers... read the whole thing straight through before you try to follow his instructions. It is useful to know where he is going before you begin, and once you start your LAMP list, it will be much harder for you to find the motivation to pick the book back up.
One suggestion for readers... read the whole thing straight through before you try to follow his instructions. It is useful to know where he is going before you begin, and once you start your LAMP list, it will be much harder for you to find the motivation to pick the book back up.
August 26, 2021
The method works! I’m writing this review because when I was embarking on my 2HJS journey I was skeptical. Reviews I had seen said it’s only good for students. I’m a midcareer professional who made an industry pivot into an executive role following the instructions in the book. I had been applying to postings and lightly networking when I picked up this book.
This book made me get organized and network with purpose. It’s an excellent “how to” network and come across as very human in asking people for help in your job search.
For data nerds (you’ll see what the 3B7B is when you read the book):
The time from first email to offer was less than 3 months for me.
Number people I reached out to with 3B7B: 31
Number of people I got on the phone/Zoom from 3B7B: 7
Number of those calls who provided referrals: 4
Number of first degree referrals: 18
Number of first degree referrals I got on phone/Zoom: 16
Number of those calls who made referrals: 12
Number of second degree referrals: 11
As you can see:
I had to do several rounds of 3B7B, which I interspersed with referrals.
My "hit rate" on 3B7B was 23%, which if i recall from an earlier post from Steve (and the book) is maybe on the high side but par for the course. But the referrals I got using the methods laid out in this book made all the difference. I talked to 34 people I wouldn’t have met if not for the method in this book. The payoff for sending 31 cold emails out into the world were considerable and absolutely worthwhile.
This book made me get organized and network with purpose. It’s an excellent “how to” network and come across as very human in asking people for help in your job search.
For data nerds (you’ll see what the 3B7B is when you read the book):
The time from first email to offer was less than 3 months for me.
Number people I reached out to with 3B7B: 31
Number of people I got on the phone/Zoom from 3B7B: 7
Number of those calls who provided referrals: 4
Number of first degree referrals: 18
Number of first degree referrals I got on phone/Zoom: 16
Number of those calls who made referrals: 12
Number of second degree referrals: 11
As you can see:
I had to do several rounds of 3B7B, which I interspersed with referrals.
My "hit rate" on 3B7B was 23%, which if i recall from an earlier post from Steve (and the book) is maybe on the high side but par for the course. But the referrals I got using the methods laid out in this book made all the difference. I talked to 34 people I wouldn’t have met if not for the method in this book. The payoff for sending 31 cold emails out into the world were considerable and absolutely worthwhile.
April 12, 2023
Wow. Everybody needs to read this book.
Edit: Took my first step into the networking advice in this book and...it's awkward guys. It's awkward AF. No results yet. Maybe this works for extraverts but I don't like how it makes me feel.
Edit: Took my first step into the networking advice in this book and...it's awkward guys. It's awkward AF. No results yet. Maybe this works for extraverts but I don't like how it makes me feel.
July 25, 2025
This was an extremely quick read - not just because it strives to make the job hunt more effective within 2 hours, but also because of how the book is structured. I appreciated the self-help + actual step-by-step instructions.
Following the steps to finding my dream companies, ranking them based on connections, and then having a framework to reach out to people and know what to ask them helped relieve most of the manual labor that goes into the job search, and instead automated it to something that I can now do without having to remember who I reached out to for what. The reminders at the end to do a few things that I am not very good at (cough cough following up cough cough) were much needed.
I would recommend trying out this strategy at any point - whether you're actively looking or just want to expand your professional network - as there is a lot of valuable advice. Even though the technology used is a bit outdated in 2025, once you actually reach a human, the core points stay the same.
Following the steps to finding my dream companies, ranking them based on connections, and then having a framework to reach out to people and know what to ask them helped relieve most of the manual labor that goes into the job search, and instead automated it to something that I can now do without having to remember who I reached out to for what. The reminders at the end to do a few things that I am not very good at (cough cough following up cough cough) were much needed.
I would recommend trying out this strategy at any point - whether you're actively looking or just want to expand your professional network - as there is a lot of valuable advice. Even though the technology used is a bit outdated in 2025, once you actually reach a human, the core points stay the same.
May 27, 2020
2020 - I use this book a ton at work, so I just got the second edition to see what updates have been made. The changes are fairly minor but good.
2017 - I forgot to log this during December 2016, so it's getting logged in 2017. Fantastic book! I'm adopting some of this approach into the Career Strategies class I teach.
2017 - I forgot to log this during December 2016, so it's getting logged in 2017. Fantastic book! I'm adopting some of this approach into the Career Strategies class I teach.
September 22, 2023
first MBA read. excited these will count towards my goodreads total and that’s pretty much all I have to say.
February 18, 2022
The 2-Hour Job Search is a refreshing perspective on how to not only search for a job in the modern market, but also how to learn about the industry trends and how to build relationships with others in your field.
These tools are incredibly helpful, especially if you are in the market for a job and you want to know how to stand out in a positive way in a competitive job market.
Full disclosure: this is an interactive book and worth reading at least twice. I read it all the way through the first time and then applied all of the tools and took notes during my second read. The book's main strategy to develop your target list of companies you want to work for is called the LAMP method, by Steve Dalton. I initially thought the idea of generating 40 potential employers seemed ludicrous and daunting. However, I was surprised that I was able to generate a list of slightly over 100 potential employers I wanted to explore in my field. My wife and I really wanted to relocate from Florida to Virginia, so I was highly motivated to give this book a solid chance. After I generated my list, the author shows you how you can effectively (and significantly) narrow this list down to your dream employers.
Overall, I really enjoyed how the book opened my mind to new possibilities and approaches to job searching. Once I realized how many ideal employers were available in my field; instead of limiting my focus on one or two employers who may or may not be hiring; it allowed me to be more selective and identify what I really wanted in a "dream" employer where I would be most happy working. I recommend this book for anyone who needs a powerful tool for job searching in today's constantly evolving digital world, where relationships and fulfillment are more important than ever.
- Luis A., PWPL Staff
Click here to find the book at Prince William Public Libraries.
These tools are incredibly helpful, especially if you are in the market for a job and you want to know how to stand out in a positive way in a competitive job market.
Full disclosure: this is an interactive book and worth reading at least twice. I read it all the way through the first time and then applied all of the tools and took notes during my second read. The book's main strategy to develop your target list of companies you want to work for is called the LAMP method, by Steve Dalton. I initially thought the idea of generating 40 potential employers seemed ludicrous and daunting. However, I was surprised that I was able to generate a list of slightly over 100 potential employers I wanted to explore in my field. My wife and I really wanted to relocate from Florida to Virginia, so I was highly motivated to give this book a solid chance. After I generated my list, the author shows you how you can effectively (and significantly) narrow this list down to your dream employers.
Overall, I really enjoyed how the book opened my mind to new possibilities and approaches to job searching. Once I realized how many ideal employers were available in my field; instead of limiting my focus on one or two employers who may or may not be hiring; it allowed me to be more selective and identify what I really wanted in a "dream" employer where I would be most happy working. I recommend this book for anyone who needs a powerful tool for job searching in today's constantly evolving digital world, where relationships and fulfillment are more important than ever.
- Luis A., PWPL Staff
Click here to find the book at Prince William Public Libraries.
September 18, 2021
This was great. Why is this not required reading in college? Bringing kaizen to the job search.
May 26, 2018
ORIGINAL 5 STAR REVIEW
Fantastic. Written by an MBA career counselor at Duke's Fuqua. Contrary to expectations, it is NOT 2-hours per day. It is 2 hours in total. He describes this as one missing step in the job search process. There are plenty of resources on writing a resume or practicing for case interviews. This is the critical step in identifying target companies and creating / using a network to connect with them. I've just completed my MBA and the advise is always "network" or "set up informational interviews". This is to vague. Dalton's advise is incredibly practical, actionable, and focused. For example, the author tells you exactly what google search terms to use.
He emphasizes a few key points throughout the book that I have seen students struggle with: stay focused and don't be a perfectionist.
HOW TO USE THE BOOK
Consider this a workbook. The process takes 2 hours, but reading the book might also take 2 hours. I recommend read a few pages, then do the action (usually only 10 minutes). Then read the next few pages and do that 10-minute action. Completed like this, it should take about 3-4 hours. But since each step is complete in itself, you can stop any time and pick up the next. Still, I'd recommend going through the whole process within a week.
Also, for MBA students especially, I would recommend reading it once at the beginning of the MBA (first semester) to identify potential internships. I then recommend repeating the process at the beginning of your second year. While you may still be interested in the same companies, I think repeating the process will keep the job search focused. This is useful even if you want to take an offer from your internship - it would help keep you abreast of the industry and build a bigger network.
DRAWBACKS
As I'm reading this 5 years after print date, some of the information is already starting to get outdated. Certain websites recommended are no long available or there's newer, better sites. That's the nature of a book that tells you how to use specific tech tools - those tools will change. I do hope there's an update in a few years.
He has one category, "motivation", that I ended up creating 3 categories for (location, brand name, and corporate culture). I then ranked these and made a final motivation score based on these three. I do think that there's room to add your own particular preferences and it can be worked into the existing framework. The process is adaptable.
UPDATE REVIEW - NOW 4 STARS
I re-read this for a class I was teaching. While I still found a lot of useful stuff, the class wasn't for MBA students. I realized that much of the info was pretty specific for current MBA students. And I don't just mean references to internships.
The class I was teaching was mostly mature professionals - and I realized that the book was built on the assumption that you are early career and open to options. For example, someone over 50 with a house needs to keep their job search focused on local or work-from-home. I had to figure out how to build that into his system. Another example, more advanced professionals might be very niche focused and might need more help with strengthening their current network than cold-contacting new people.
Still a great book with great processes. But definitely intended for a specific audience. Ended up knocking off a star. It really won't work for a lot of people and some of the info is already getting outdated. However, if you're an MBA, this is a MUST-READ, MUST-DO!
Fantastic. Written by an MBA career counselor at Duke's Fuqua. Contrary to expectations, it is NOT 2-hours per day. It is 2 hours in total. He describes this as one missing step in the job search process. There are plenty of resources on writing a resume or practicing for case interviews. This is the critical step in identifying target companies and creating / using a network to connect with them. I've just completed my MBA and the advise is always "network" or "set up informational interviews". This is to vague. Dalton's advise is incredibly practical, actionable, and focused. For example, the author tells you exactly what google search terms to use.
He emphasizes a few key points throughout the book that I have seen students struggle with: stay focused and don't be a perfectionist.
HOW TO USE THE BOOK
Consider this a workbook. The process takes 2 hours, but reading the book might also take 2 hours. I recommend read a few pages, then do the action (usually only 10 minutes). Then read the next few pages and do that 10-minute action. Completed like this, it should take about 3-4 hours. But since each step is complete in itself, you can stop any time and pick up the next. Still, I'd recommend going through the whole process within a week.
Also, for MBA students especially, I would recommend reading it once at the beginning of the MBA (first semester) to identify potential internships. I then recommend repeating the process at the beginning of your second year. While you may still be interested in the same companies, I think repeating the process will keep the job search focused. This is useful even if you want to take an offer from your internship - it would help keep you abreast of the industry and build a bigger network.
DRAWBACKS
As I'm reading this 5 years after print date, some of the information is already starting to get outdated. Certain websites recommended are no long available or there's newer, better sites. That's the nature of a book that tells you how to use specific tech tools - those tools will change. I do hope there's an update in a few years.
He has one category, "motivation", that I ended up creating 3 categories for (location, brand name, and corporate culture). I then ranked these and made a final motivation score based on these three. I do think that there's room to add your own particular preferences and it can be worked into the existing framework. The process is adaptable.
UPDATE REVIEW - NOW 4 STARS
I re-read this for a class I was teaching. While I still found a lot of useful stuff, the class wasn't for MBA students. I realized that much of the info was pretty specific for current MBA students. And I don't just mean references to internships.
The class I was teaching was mostly mature professionals - and I realized that the book was built on the assumption that you are early career and open to options. For example, someone over 50 with a house needs to keep their job search focused on local or work-from-home. I had to figure out how to build that into his system. Another example, more advanced professionals might be very niche focused and might need more help with strengthening their current network than cold-contacting new people.
Still a great book with great processes. But definitely intended for a specific audience. Ended up knocking off a star. It really won't work for a lot of people and some of the info is already getting outdated. However, if you're an MBA, this is a MUST-READ, MUST-DO!
April 18, 2025
Perfect for the process-oriented
As an engineer, it’s in my DNA to follow a process. Over the years, after many unsuccessful job search attempts (applying online to positions and never hearing back), I didn’t understand how other people were so successful in switching roles.
After seeing a post on LinkedIn from a former academic advisor about how they use this book in their curriculum now, I decided to try it myself.
This book is exactly what I needed. It details step-by-step how to find your next role, make true connections along the way, and learn about your desired industry. “Networking” has always eluded me, but this book makes it possible and approachable while building confidence. I recommend it to anyone looking for a new opportunity.
As an engineer, it’s in my DNA to follow a process. Over the years, after many unsuccessful job search attempts (applying online to positions and never hearing back), I didn’t understand how other people were so successful in switching roles.
After seeing a post on LinkedIn from a former academic advisor about how they use this book in their curriculum now, I decided to try it myself.
This book is exactly what I needed. It details step-by-step how to find your next role, make true connections along the way, and learn about your desired industry. “Networking” has always eluded me, but this book makes it possible and approachable while building confidence. I recommend it to anyone looking for a new opportunity.
July 18, 2021
It's Sabbath again, which means I'm forcing myself not to do anything for the sake of productivity. It's a horrible discipline, especially as I'm about to immigrate to the U.S. and need to find a job there ASAP. I make plans ABCDE in my head and what ifs if I can't land a job right away and I can't do anything on these particular days to control my outcome. Horrible discipline.
But right, this book is great. It takes all the guessing game away and doesn't get you to answer self-reflective questions like other self-help books often do. It's a control freak's approach to systematize the job search process in a way that leaves no sunk-costs behind. Each chapter follows basically the same format. He
a) tells you an overview of what to do
b) explains why you're doing it this way
c) gives you VERY specific steps on how to do it.
There's 0 advice in Dalton's methods, and there's really not a lot of ways to customize it, which is why I'm such a fan. Honestly would recommend it to anyone who's paralyzed by the idea of job searching; this book takes out all of the guessing game and is all about compound-reiteration until you land a job. Honestly would not recommend Sabbath to anyone though as it's a horrible discipline.
But right, this book is great. It takes all the guessing game away and doesn't get you to answer self-reflective questions like other self-help books often do. It's a control freak's approach to systematize the job search process in a way that leaves no sunk-costs behind. Each chapter follows basically the same format. He
a) tells you an overview of what to do
b) explains why you're doing it this way
c) gives you VERY specific steps on how to do it.
There's 0 advice in Dalton's methods, and there's really not a lot of ways to customize it, which is why I'm such a fan. Honestly would recommend it to anyone who's paralyzed by the idea of job searching; this book takes out all of the guessing game and is all about compound-reiteration until you land a job. Honestly would not recommend Sabbath to anyone though as it's a horrible discipline.
March 12, 2024
"Don't do anything randomly in the job search."
If you're looking for just one good book to read regarding the job search process, get THIS one. Steve Dalton really knows his stuff. I was looking for a book that would lay out a clear process I could follow for my job search. There are dozens of postings online and it's tempting to randomly apply to dozens of job postings a day and hope that something works out. As Steve says, hope isn't a strategy. His techniques of shortlisting relevant companies, identifying the right people to talk to, crafting relevant messages and having conversations in a way that's not transactional were super helpful and helped me shift to a more "proactive" as opposed to a "reactive" one. I ultimately got the job I wanted thanks to the techniques I followed in this book. The techniques in this book aren't just relevant for MBA students, but to anyone looking for a job in these trying times!
If you're looking for just one good book to read regarding the job search process, get THIS one. Steve Dalton really knows his stuff. I was looking for a book that would lay out a clear process I could follow for my job search. There are dozens of postings online and it's tempting to randomly apply to dozens of job postings a day and hope that something works out. As Steve says, hope isn't a strategy. His techniques of shortlisting relevant companies, identifying the right people to talk to, crafting relevant messages and having conversations in a way that's not transactional were super helpful and helped me shift to a more "proactive" as opposed to a "reactive" one. I ultimately got the job I wanted thanks to the techniques I followed in this book. The techniques in this book aren't just relevant for MBA students, but to anyone looking for a job in these trying times!
June 2, 2022
I'm not looking for a job but I heard someone recommend it to a group that we both mentor so I thought I would check it out since I ongoingly mentor people starting their tech careers or help them navigate them once they are on the path.
This book is valuable but don't get fooled by the title. Prepare to read a very systematic and thorough approach to getting your foot in the door, mostly through the power of informational interviews. I found that chapter the most valuable.
This book is valuable but don't get fooled by the title. Prepare to read a very systematic and thorough approach to getting your foot in the door, mostly through the power of informational interviews. I found that chapter the most valuable.
July 4, 2022
This book is BOMB, I wish I had found it months or years ago. Such a concise, practical approach to finding a job. I recommend it for anyone- even if you're not looking for a job immediately. Great info on deciding on target employers, outreach and process to conduct informational interviews, etc. I will stay referencing this one.
If u read it, text me because I built out spreadsheets that go along with the book's activities
If u read it, text me because I built out spreadsheets that go along with the book's activities
September 5, 2024
Surprisingly useful to the non-MBA and people who wonder what an informational interview even is. I learned, for example, that I am by default somewhere btwn an Obligate and a Booster depending on whether I like people, and I tend to behave as if the world is full of Curmudgeons — and my email-response etiquette is atrocious. It doesn’t teach you how to get a job, but it does help demystify why resume drops are not the way, and reduce the vagueness of directions to “oh, work with your network” - whether you are looking for a job or professional mentorship and advice.
September 11, 2024
Definitely has more of a business focus than a nonprofit, NGO, or government focus, but the method is sound and I'm currently pursuing it. I'll come back and give it five stars if it ends up working, and give more detail on how it went down.
January 17, 2025
3.5. I found the LAMP Method to be most helpful; ultimately intuitive, not radically new, but a refreshing take for the evolving job search process. I skimmed the remainder of the book as it covered more familiar ground, at least for one who's been long in the career world. Still, a solid tool.
May 2, 2019
As a non-MBA grad moving to a new country, I found this book extremely helpful and packed with useful tips! Definitely recommend to anyone seeking a job in business.
September 15, 2020
Great Advice
Are you applying for jobs merely by replying to online job postings? This book will tell you why that doesn’t work and will provide you with a systematic plan for finding a job. I haven’t put it into practice yet, but it’s comforting to have a plan.
Are you applying for jobs merely by replying to online job postings? This book will tell you why that doesn’t work and will provide you with a systematic plan for finding a job. I haven’t put it into practice yet, but it’s comforting to have a plan.
Read
August 10, 2024This book is helpful and interesting for anyone in the job search process. Highly recommend to anyone, but especially to those frustrated with the search process.
January 17, 2018
This book has great core content, but I did not like the delivery. It's slow, repetitive and hard to stay connected with. The LAMP method was definitely helpful and has helped me create more of a vision of companies I see myself working at.
August 17, 2022
Everyone stuck in a job search rut should read this. Clear explanations and frameworks for finding your top employers and how to network effectively. A fast read that is packed with helpful tidbits. 10/10.
April 1, 2024
512-The 2 Hour Job Search-Steve Dalton-Job Searching-2012
Barack
2024/03/31
"The 2 Hour Job Search", first published in 2012. It shows you in three steps how to select, prioritize, and connect with potential employers so you can land that crucial first interview. In this revised second edition, you'll find the latest advice on how to effectively navigate online job postings, how to reach out to contacts at your dream workplace when to follow up, and how to use LinkedIn, Indeed, and Google to your best advantage. suggestion.
Steve Dalton, studied at Case Western Reserve University, Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business. He focuses on the efficiency and effectiveness of job search in the era of online recruitment, with a special focus on off-campus / post-school job hunting.
Table of Contents
PART 1 Prioritize: The LAMP List
1 List
2 Advocacy
3 Motivation
4 Posting
PART 2 Contact: Boosters, Obligates, and Curmudgeons
5 Naturalize
6 The 6-Point Email
7 Tracks
PART 3 Convince: Informational Meetings
8 Research
9 Discuss
10 Follow-Up
The first piece of advice in this book is for job seekers to write down a list of companies they want to work with. Comparing books written by Easterners and Westerners, you can sometimes see an obvious cultural difference: Western books tend to provide specific operation guides with clear steps and strong operability. In contrast, Eastern books are closer to the Eastern way of thinking, emphasizing that things can only be understood but not expressed. I sometimes think about why so many precious heritages have been lost in China’s thousands of years of cultural heritage. Could one of the reasons be a lack of practical, written guidance? Although you may not reach a very high level through imitation learning, it can allow beginners to get started quickly. This is the greatest value of a highly operational strategy. However, the understanding of "meaning" is full of uncertainty. People with high understanding may know everything and become enlightened instantly, while people with insufficient understanding may always have difficulty making breakthroughs and are unable to understand deeply. Although I have received several domestic offers, so far, I have not received any offers from the United States. Objectively speaking, continuous rejection and failure are a huge blow to one's self-confidence, so I started to study tool books for job hunting.
When setting job search goals, an important strategy is to broaden our horizons and expand the list of potential companies to apply to as much as possible. We tend to naturally focus only on the top companies that are well-known, and ignore other opportunities that may not be so obvious. Due to the popularity and attractiveness of leading companies, competitive pressure will undoubtedly become more intense. Therefore, before we officially start sending resumes, we should try our best to build a more comprehensive list of target companies. This list should include a variety of companies that we consider applying to, whether they are industry giants or smaller, perhaps less visible businesses. In fact, when we calm down and think about it, we will find that job hunting is a controllable process - you can always find a job, it is just a matter of whether you can find the company you like. If we can broaden our horizons beyond the big, well-known companies, we not only increase our options but also reduce the frustrations we may encounter due to high levels of competition. During the job search journey, it is crucial to stay open and flexible so that we can more effectively seize every possible opportunity.
More than half a year has passed since I started submitting resumes in August 2023 to look for full-time jobs after graduation. During this period, I also received some interview invitations from HR. Almost every time, HR would ask this question: "Why are you interested in our company?" To answer this question, it is obviously necessary to conduct some research on the company. A key concept here is: "You can't control the results, you can only control the process." This means that as job seekers, what we can do is control all aspects of the job search process, such as how much effort to invest in preparing for a job search. Get a great resume and research the company.
In the job search process, we cannot directly control the results. All efforts we make are just to increase the probability of success. There are two main strategies: one is to increase the number of delivery companies, that is, increase the denominator; the other is to increase the success rate of a single delivery. This includes choosing a company with less competition or being more prepared during the delivery process. During my job search, I tried to request networking from many alumni. While in most cases alumni are likely to ignore such requests from strangers, increasing the number improves the odds of success: for example, 1 in 10 people may respond, and 1 in 100 people may respond. 10 people responded. From another perspective, how to initiate a request and how to remain humble and confident in expression may affect the success rate of the request. In addition, whether the topic is carefully prepared in the communication so that the other party is willing to provide referral opportunities at the end of the conversation or think of me when they see related opportunities in the future, these are subtle but important.
This section introduces a job search methodology called "LAMP." LAMP represents the four aspects of Listing, Advocacy, Motivation, and Posting. Listing (L): This refers to listing companies that interest you. The author recommends listing at least 40, but I chose to list 300. Why choose 300? Because if you deliver 10 companies every day, that will be 300 companies in a month, and then cycle once a month. A (Advocacy): Can you find employees working in this company to help you? Motivation (M): Assess the company's attractiveness. Examine what factors attract you to apply for this company, such as the company's culture, strengths, etc. Posting (P): Pay attention to the job information announced by the company to see if there are any positions that match your background and interests.
Advocacy plays a key role in the job search process, especially when family support is insufficient, and the support of alumni and social connections becomes particularly important. Compared with domestic universities, American universities seem to pay more attention to emphasizing to students the importance of interpersonal networks. At least for me, networking is a missing link in my past growth environment. We rarely systematically learn how to proactively introduce ourselves and establish connections in various situations, whether online or offline. So much so that when we have to do this, we face many difficulties. For example, the difficulty of establishing first contact: We are not used to taking the initiative to introduce ourselves to strangers and establish a conversation. Secondly, the choice of conversation content: Even if we successfully obtain the opportunity for conversation, we may be confused about what to say, what to ask, and how to respond appropriately to the other party's reaction. Finally, the handling of subsequent interactions: after the conversation ends, how to maintain this newly established connection, and how to turn a single conversation opportunity into a sustainable connection. Today, when online applications have become common, even referrals may not guarantee that we will get an interview, let alone applying directly online. It is naturally ideal to get referrals directly through familiar friends or colleagues, but if you really can’t find acquaintances, you can only get referral opportunities through simple communication with unfamiliar alumni.
When discussing Motivation, the author emphasizes that the core question we need to think deeply about is: How much do we want this job? How interested are we in this employer? An intuitive approach to job hunting is "first come, first served" - applying as soon as we see a suitable position, even if we are not particularly interested in the company. Sometimes we may apply immediately even if we are not very interested in the position itself. For example, many people apply for software engineer positions, perhaps not because they are extremely passionate about the job, but because the demand for this position is greater than other positions, making it easier for job seekers in this direction to find jobs. This leads to a common dilemma: Should we apply for positions that are relatively easy to obtain, or should we pursue positions that interest us more? This issue is not a simple debate in real life, and neither side can completely refute the other side. In fact, almost every problem we face in real life involves trade-offs. For example, what if there are no suitable positions available at the company you like? Or, what should we do if we find a position that matches our background, but the company is not well-known and not very attractive to us? During the job search process, we need to find a balance between motivation and reality. Being clear about what you want is always the most important thing.
October 5, 2018
"When you close your 5-Point Emails to Boosters by saying something like 'I recognize this may be a busy time for you, so if we are unable to connect by email I'll try to reach you next week to see fi that is more convenient, you demonstrate several key desirable traits.
First, you demonstrate deference to their schedules, showing you appreciate that their time is more valuable than yours. The job seeker is the one requesting the favor, so it should be the job seeker's responsibility to revive the outreach if it doesn't work out the first time. Clarifying your ownership of any inconvenience is an elegant way to keep your foot in the door in case your contract doesn't respond immediately." (120)
More Americans read this kind of book and others of the self-help genre than literary fiction or non-fiction. _The 2-Hour Job Search_ may indeed become canonical at some point, read by future scholars who want some insight into the mindset of the late late capitalism of the 2010s.
This book came out after 2008, when it was becoming increasingly difficult for college grads to make headway in the job market. Dalton wants to provide a straightforward and repeatable strategy for getting to the interview stage of a job search.
The examples and language here seem mainly directed at MBA program grads, people who have been indoctrinated in the idea that one's higher purpose consists mainly in buying and selling - euphemistically "creating value for customers/clients." This is the lifeblood of our culture, so we shouldn't be surprised that the job seeker should see herself as another product, to be branded and marketed and sold to the highest bidder.
First, you demonstrate deference to their schedules, showing you appreciate that their time is more valuable than yours. The job seeker is the one requesting the favor, so it should be the job seeker's responsibility to revive the outreach if it doesn't work out the first time. Clarifying your ownership of any inconvenience is an elegant way to keep your foot in the door in case your contract doesn't respond immediately." (120)
More Americans read this kind of book and others of the self-help genre than literary fiction or non-fiction. _The 2-Hour Job Search_ may indeed become canonical at some point, read by future scholars who want some insight into the mindset of the late late capitalism of the 2010s.
This book came out after 2008, when it was becoming increasingly difficult for college grads to make headway in the job market. Dalton wants to provide a straightforward and repeatable strategy for getting to the interview stage of a job search.
The examples and language here seem mainly directed at MBA program grads, people who have been indoctrinated in the idea that one's higher purpose consists mainly in buying and selling - euphemistically "creating value for customers/clients." This is the lifeblood of our culture, so we shouldn't be surprised that the job seeker should see herself as another product, to be branded and marketed and sold to the highest bidder.
March 16, 2018
I really enjoyed Dalton's systematic approach to actually cultivating contacts and building a network of advocates. The LAMP method and the social vs. market norms advice are probably its strongest components! The book is not really all about the "technology" per se, even though that's in the title—its about breaking a daunting endeavor into small, manageable tasks.
I found the Bachelor vs. Bachelorette analogy pretty cringeworthy, though. Still waiting to find a job search book that has a solid understanding of how gender roles affect the job search and job search advice! (Is there a feminist job search book I am missing?)
I found the Bachelor vs. Bachelorette analogy pretty cringeworthy, though. Still waiting to find a job search book that has a solid understanding of how gender roles affect the job search and job search advice! (Is there a feminist job search book I am missing?)
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