Employment Books

To quote Robert Taylor,Financial Times: "...Guy Standing, an imaginative economist at the International Labour Organization, provides us with a stimulating analysis of the labour markets of the industgrialised economies during the past century."

This is a great reference book for anyone considering part-time and even for those that are already doing it. I have worked both part-time and in a job-share and this topic is a passion of mine. I find the information in the book helpful, accurate, objective and well-balanced. It's presented in a positive fashion - not like an unrealisic fantasy - more like "if you want it bad enough you can get it, but you need to be persistent, open-minded and creative - and here are some strategies that really work." The book spans different industries and professions, which brings even more ideas to the table. The interviews and real life experiences are both inspiring and comforting.

This is a book that provides great career advice for young business professionals given as an experienced and supportive mentor might provide. Keith Wyche (and Sonia Alleyne) have written this for minorities, but I think almost all of it is fabulous advice for anyone trying to build some steam in a business career. As a middle-aged white guy, I obviously have never been a gender or racial minority, so I cannot really address those issues from their perspective.

The book has twelve chapters besides its brief introduction. I think the first chapter on the importance of corporate culture is a great place to start. There are many companies you where you, as a person, will fit in and others where you won't. We all experience this. You also need to know if your goals can be met at a given company. For example, if it is a small family firm with family members in the leadership positions, don't expect that you are going to displace blood. Is it seniority based company or do they actually reward merit? You will want to know this before you invest a couple of years bringing in record sales and are told that you will have to wait your turn because there are people ahead of you in the line. If you want to be rewarded for excellent performance match yourself to a company that rewards based on actual performance. And always keep a your résumé shiny and developing possible next steps outside the company.

The other chapters advise you on the importance of managing how others see you. While you can't control it, how you present yourself and what you do have a big impact on it. You are also advised on how to properly make yourself visible, when to take a lateral promotion or not, when to leave your company for a new job or not, and warned about several career killers. Wyche points out that minorities don't often get second chances once a career gets derailed. So, this chapter can be critical advice.

The author also advises you to develop certain leadership skills so you can be seen as a leader. They are strategic visioning, execution, authentic leadership, flexibility and adaptability, awareness and political judgment, and personal accountability. I have seen many people of every background lack these qualities and misunderstand why they weren't given leadership positions. They blamed it on a lot of other factors other than their own lack of leadership qualities. Don't make that mistake.

Wyche also talks about the vital importance of being completely prepared, how to overcome gender bias, and the critical need to keep you skills fresh and up to date. The chapter on mentors and sponsors applies to everyone, but especially to minorities. This includes the importance of giving back and becoming a mentor and sponsor once you achieve success as a business professional. The last chapter advises you to never give up. The old saying is true; many battles are lost because one side gives up just before they might have won if they had pressed themselves a bit more. Tenacity is a wonderful quality in every part of life.

I like this book a great deal and can't imagine why anyone wouldn't want to read it, but I understand why he focused it for minorities and think it is a terrific resource for them. In my view, though, most of it (nearly all of it) is simply fabulous advice for the up and comer.

Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI

This is possibly the only book on the market that addresses today's resumes and cover letters and how to submit them properly. The rules system makes finding information in this guide easy. If you know the basics, you can quickly turn to the areas where you need help (without enduring the boring diatribes found in most career books that really only serve to tell you what you already know). Finally -- a foolproof guide to resumes and cover letters and nothing else! It worked for me!

Fresh and needed, Government Jobs in Information Technology shows a surprisingly lucrative full plate of information technology jobs across all agencies in U.S. Federal-State and City government. Who knew information technology had quietly taken its place in the past 20 years to become one of the best, most sought after, job categories available in government? You can't argue with the facts shown here. The charts here show a leaner and greener government with a higher class of salaries for these jobs. The editors have researched and presented actual current salaries for existing U.S. Federal government IT job titles, and computer-related job titles available in over 20 U.S. States and Major Cities. Government Jobs in Information Technology introduces fresh new facts and figures on salaries, estimated salaries based on 5-year raise averages, and estimated pensions. Who knew the pensions for these well-paid jobs add up so nicely? It then presents solid information on how to go about completing the application for U.S. Federal and State and City jobs in information technology. This book is very well done. I learned about developments in information technology that serve as backdrop to this sea change. Government Jobs in Information Technology tells a happy story. It will be an eye-opening and coveted resource for any educator, mentor, career counselor, IT associate considering a job change, or college student considering what next?.

THE GREAT AND AWFUL SUMMER by Mitzi Dale is a quick and interesting read.

The narrator of the story is Sarah Leanne Lockwood and she is fourteen. She decides to get a summer job at CC Lodge in Canada. There she will take care of the visitors' children and do kitchen work.

The owners of the lodge are Cathy and Cliff. Cathy is wonderful and Sarah likes her, but Cliff is a very angry man and is kind of crazy. They have a daughter named Cate who is brooding and disappears for hours at a time. There Sarah meets Ellen, who is also working at the lodge.

Now, Sarah and her mother watch a soap opera on TV called Willow Heights. They mainly watch it because of the character of Ellis Bell, who is a dreamboat. At the first bonfire, Sarah finds out that Ellis Bell and his wife own an island very close to the lodge. Of course, Ellis Bell is actually Edgar Linton. Through eavesdropping and the asking of questions, Sarah stumbles onto a mystery surrounding all of these characters. One that helps her to grow up to be a more thoughtful and considerate person.

Sarah is very believable and the guilt that she takes on, if not in excess, is very normal for a teen who is raised to be aware of other people's feelings. I also enjoyed all of the references to WUTHERING HEIGHTS. I think one would especially like this book if they had read WUTHERING HEIGHTS or will be reading that book for class. I also enjoyed Mitzi Dale's writing. Her characters were believable and I felt that I have known someone just like some of them. I would love to read more from her.

Reviewed by: Marta Morrison

Ezer Weizmann made major contributions to the building of the modern state of Israel. In this autobiography he tells of his role in building the Israeli Air Force. He was one of the first fighter- pilots helping to establish the State in its War of Independence. More than anyone else he helped build the Israeli Air Force into one of the best in the world. He was the architect of the Israeli lightning air- victory in the Six Day War. Later he entered politics and was a central figure in forming the Likud party and helping bring a major transformation , the dethroning of the Labor party and the bringing of Menachem Begin's Likud to power.This work is the story of these early glory years.
It does not tell of the political conversion Weizmann made in later life, his moving into what is called the 'peace- camp' in Israel, his key role in the peace negotiations with Egypt at Camp David. It too does not tell of his controversial reign as President of Israel.
Like his sometime rival Yitzhak Rabin, Weizmann for many exemplified the Israeli sabra hero of the first years of the State. Frank, humorous, tremendously innovative and energetic he brought life and flavor into all he did . He was a true believer in Israel, and the Zionist enterprise and a great contributor to it. And was much loved by its people.
This review is written the day after his passing from the world. May his soul be uplifted and his memory and work be a blessing for the generations of Israel to come.

This book is the best book I have ever read on the skill of job hunting and ever since I bought my first copy, I have passed on copies to friends and family and students. Jackson describes how to decide which job family suits you best, how to write an effective resume, how to gain access to the hidden job market,and even how to get a job in a given number of days. One of the keys to his formula is in identifying a company's needs. Most job hunters fail to think in these terms and often try to convince prospective employers that they either need the job or that they would be good at the job. Jackson describes the real key to successful job-hunting as communicating how you can improve sales, or communication, or productivity, or many other ways that communicate your value to an employer.

I bought my first GUERRILLA TACTICS book in 1980, attracted by the title. Since then, as I have mentioned, I have found it to be a life-affirming resource, putting people together with the jobs that will give them the greatest satisfaction. Personally, I credit it with helping me to find some of the most interesting work I've have picked up, including free lance adventure writing assignments, and even my current position as an English professor in Tokyo.

Jackson's writing is lucid and clear and he includes self-help tactics that require the reader to take actions, such as calling a potential employer for information about a company or industry. This kind of call is difficult for anyone at the best of times, but after doing it and activities like it, you are tremendously empowered.

I cannot recommend a book more highly! It should have become the bible of job seekers.

BROIDA as it is fondly referred to is basically all you ever need to know about labor relations. Well organized and very complete, the book guides you through negotiability isues, grievances, and unfair labor practices. Exhaustive in its reference material, BROIDA is an invaluable tool for those who cannot afford the high priced online search engines and databases. This book is a must, year after year.

This book discusses what needs to be done to ensure success in the workplace. Including a hands-on working assessment; providing structure all day; one on one training. It explains what must be considered; what does, or can the person do; what do they enjoy doing; do well; what is available to work at; what behavioural problems exist; what motivates the person; what kind of support will be needed. A much-welcome book on a subject about which good information is very scarce.