A new book just came out that seems like the perfect complement to these two: Landing the Tech Job You Love by Andy Lester (also from the Pragmatic Programmers). I've only just started reading it but so far I like it a LOT! It also received a nice review by Mike Riley in DDJ online.
Rather than cite the blurb from the book this time, I rather like the description given in the press release:
It’s tougher than ever to get that great job. Companies are more demanding and your competition is smart, tech-savvy, and resourceful. You’ve got the right skills for the job—you also need the right skills for job hunting. You need to work deliberately on your new job hunting skills, and this book can help. Old fashioned cookie-cutter job hunting skills aren’t enough: Land the Tech Job You Love gives you the background and the hard-won wisdom to leapfrog those who play by the old rules.
Andy tells us, “Life is too short for a job you don’t love. You’re not stuck—other opportunities are available for you, if you know where to look and can work the hiring process to your advantage. This book will help you get that job you love.”
In this book, you’ll learn how to find the job you want that fits you and your employer. You’ll uncover the hidden jobs that never make it into the classifieds or Monster. You’ll start making and maintaining the connections that will drive your future career moves.
Andy started writing this book years before the recession (a.k.a. “econopocalypse”) hit. He looked at the conventional wisdom and the advice available in generic books on job hunting, and found the conventional wisdom just didn’t work for programmers, system administrators, testers, and other related development positions.
He looked at everything from whether you should look for work on online job boards to whether you should lead off your resume with your objectives. Although he has definite answers for these two, he found that the answer to most questions is “it depends.” His book leads you to taking an honest assessment of what you offer and what you want in a job so that you end up in a job that is a good fit for you and your employer.
This is an important book for you to read whether you currently have a job or not. The same tactics you take to make yourself more employable will also make it easier to get promoted in your current company.
Also see Andy Lester's presentation on Effective Job Interviewing from Both Side of the Desk and his blog @ TheWorkingGeek.com for his thoughts on "Job hunting and working life for programmers, sysadmins and all other techies"
1 comment:
Thanks for the kind words, Brad. I appreciate helping get the word out.
Did you finish in the past month?
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