Using Books as Information Sources
Some really excellent books are currently available for use by the job-searcher. The following are recommended.
Kathryn and Ross Pelras, Jobs '90, Prentice Hall. This is an excellent paperback source of companies in all parts of the country that are most likely to hire in the near future. Full addresses for locations are provided, along with contacts, telephone numbers and a variety of other information about possible employment. Addresses of employment agencies, executive search firms and other job-help groups are included. This book is only $14.95, and is readily portable. If you are going to buy only one other book (besides this one!) this is the one to get.
Heinz Ulrich and J. Robert Connor, the National Job-Hunting Guide: A Directory to Where Jobs Are... Anywhere in the U.S., Dolphin Books.
This book gives addresses and telephone numbers for employment agencies and executive search firms, by state and city, lists special opportunities for the various areas and corporate information on the major employers in the area. An excellent source, but may be slightly out-of-date.
Diane Wheeter Strauss, Handbook of Business Information, Libraries Unlimited. This book is available in almost every library. It lists every conceivable type of business information source and describes what can be found in each. Discussed are directories, basic reference sources, periodicals and newspapers, on line data bases, vertical file collections and electronic business information. Look here first for guidance in locating sources of business information.
Anne Boe and Bettie B. Youngs, Is Your ''Net-Working: A Complete Guide to Building Contacts and Career Visibility" Wiley. Most of this book deals with networking on the job (you can use that after you get back to work), but one chapter in particular, "Using Network Referrals to Build Career Visibility" is filled with practical advice on career moves and job searches. This chapter also has a section on referrals and how to determine ahead of time whether people will give favorable references.
Kenneth and Sheryl Dawson, Job Search-the Total System, Wiley. This book is another look at how to search for a job. It deals with executives and professionals, but not specifically with executives and professionals who are already out of work. It has a particularly good section on networking.
John Lucht, Rights of Passage at $100,000, Viceroy Press. Recommended as helpful if you are looking for high visibility and high dollar positions.
Lester Kom, The Success Profile: A Leading Headhunter Tells You How to Get to the Top, Simon and Schuster. Among other topics, discusses the essential qualities headhunters look for when recruiting an executive, the personal attributes that go with successful careers, suggestions for selecting an industry, company and career best suited to your talents, career planning for the executive woman and professional tips on job hunting.
Gene R. Hawes, the Encyclopedia of Second Careers, and the Career Changer's Source book, Facts on File. These two books provide a survey of a variety of career fields to be considered, discuss the type of work, the various levels of positions in that field, and the approximate salaries. Hawes suggests ways of preparing for that new career and how one might go about seeking that job. Since the books are inclusive, some of the careers are at lower levels than those you might be looking for, and the salary information is slightly out of date. However, if you are considering a career change, these books are a good place to browse before beginning more in-depth investigation.
U.S. Employment Opportunities, Washington Research Associates. This resource is a loose leaf binder divided into eighteen different industry segments. Covers current career news, recent economic/technological developments in the industry. Lists places where opportunities are best, gives list of resources for those industry-association names, periodicals and current books which will aid in research on a specific industry. Good for browsing, especially if you're interested in a career change.
Joseph and Amy Lombardo, the Job Belt: The Fifty Best Places in America for High-Quality Employment Today and in the Future, Penguin Books. Includes a discussion of the area, its economy, population, climate, location, housing, cultural and recreational opportunities; employment projections and salaries; private employment services; state job services; and major employers.
Robert Levering, Milton Moskowitz and Michael Katz, The 100 Best Companies to Work for in America, a Plume Book, New American Library. Analyzes what the writers have determined to be the 100 best companies to work for from an employee's viewpoint.
The National Job Bank, Bob Adams, Inc. These books are published yearly, and are designed for use by managers and professionals, the major company listings are by state. Lists company names, person or title to contact, telephone number and brief information on products and business sectors. Includes number of employees and location of corporate headquarters. In the back of the book is an industry cross-index, arranged by generic type of business, and listing the companies by state and location that fit that particular industry classification. Job Bank books are also available as individual state titles.
Job Bank Guide to Employment Services, Bob Adams, Inc. Summarizes employment services and opportunities available nationwide. Includes employment agencies, temporary services, executive search firms and state/local/federal employment offices.
Everybody's Business, the Irreverent Guide to Corporate America, Harper and Row. This book provides readable and entertaining histories and profiles on 317 major companies. These are especially useful in preparing for job interviews. The histories and profiles include both the good and the bad. The book has not been updated recently, but the historical information is still valuable.
CPC Annual, College Placement Council. Produced every year, the book includes general articles on the job search process, directory listings of major employers of engineering, science, computer, administrative, managerial, and general business personnel. Company listings include a brief description, employment opportunities and employee benefits.
The 1988 National Survey of Executive Compensation, Arthur Young. Includes hiring and compensation trends in industry, as well as a very good picture of the going compensation in a number of industries. Will help you get an idea of what you might be able to negotiate for in terms of perks and added benefits.
Jack Anderson, The Plum Book: The Official United States Guide to Leading Positions in Government, Presidential and Executive Appointments, Salaries J Requirements, and Other Vital Statisticsfor Job Seekers.
The book is as advertised. "Useful for federal job lookers," Ronald L. and Caryl Rae Krannich, The Complete Guide to Public Employment, Impact Publications. Useful for browsing. Several sections are similar in intent to the Forty Plus Job Hunting Guide in that they discuss major aspects of the job search, but with the public sector specifically in mind. Lists multiple sources to contact.
Federal Jobs Digest, Washington Research Associates. Lists over 3,000 vacancies countrywide each issue (published every other week). Includes addresses to contact for application.
Federal Times Newspaper, available from Federal Times in Washington, is a weekly publication intended for present federal employees, although useful for those seeking federal jobs. The emphasis is heavily on department of defense and senior executive services positions.
U.S. Government Manual, U.S. Government Printing Office. Provides information on federal job classifications, required qualifications and associated duties.
How to Get a Federal Job, Facts on File. Written by a government personnel manager, Krandall Kraus, this is a definitive job-hunting bible for anyone seeking entry into federal civil service.
