Mary’s Musings...about Street Smarts Beyond the Diploma by Jim Randel.

Mary’s Musings...about Street Smarts Beyond the Diploma (review below) by Jim Randel.

I have read a number of the "Skinny On" book series and really enjoyed them.  They offer sage advice on any number of topics from credit cards to the housing crisis.  The book that I just finished was written for the newly graduated male and/or female.  But in all honesty there was so much information in this book that a year ago when I was unemployed I could have used.  The basics of finding a job have not changed while the industry around us has completely reinvented itself in the last to years.  I had been steadily employed for 15 years and going back on interviews was a daunting adventure and the dead on points in this book are not only useful and practical but if you pay attention will get you a job.  I also think it would be great to have a book written for the 50+ group looking for jobs because we were loyal, dedicated employees who overstayed our welcome and new employees could be brought in for allot less investment.  But on the other side of the coin the mature adult can be employed if you realize the same ideas as the younger group and learn to adapt to the environment and not be intimidated by change. 

I am proud to announce that Rand Media Company is giving away one copy of this book (review below).  To be eligible to win please leave a comment.  What I am asking today is are you prepared to find your first job or a new job?  Come back on Sunday July 31^st to see if you have won.  Please remember if you do not come back you won't know if you won, because I am going to need your address. 

REVIEW from Mary Gramlich "The Reading Reviewer"

Street Smarts Beyond the Diploma by Jim Randel

05/11 - Publisher: Rand Media - Paperback, 125 pages

This manual works for any age group!

While there are 20 something’s on the cover and I am sure the book is designed to help them I thought it would also serve those at any age that find themselves looking for a job.  Last year I was unemployed and had not been on a job interview in 15 years.  While my age bodes me to me the mother of the under 30 group there are ideas in this book that when taken into context really would have helped me.  While knowing the basics is important regardless of the age group, explaining the facts so they translate into going from interview to employed in a very fine line right now to walk. 

The reality of going from student to having a full-time adult job is shocking in and of itself; it does not have to be something you are afraid to conquer.  Again though while looking for employment at any age especially when you are changing the type of employment you are seeking is helpful.  I was in the pharmaceutical field but had the flexibility to move into anything-available field and this book explains how to see yourself in a job regardless of the business.

I have seen all three of my children attend and graduate from college and I truly wish for two of them that entered the business world this manual had been required reading before graduation.  It can work if you let yourself absorb the reality that you are no longer living off of someone else and have to support yourself.

The only negative is with this ADD generation they will be distracted before they finish it which is why the Skinny On Series works.  Allot of pictures with short sentences that get to the point faster.