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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The 2-Hour Job Search summary
Steve Dalton
Using Technology to Get the Right Job Faster
24 mins
Brief summary
The 2-Hour Job Search by Steve Dalton is a practical guide for finding a job. It offers a step-by-step process for maximizing networking efforts and conducting effective informational interviews, leading to more job opportunities.
Table of Contents
The 2-Hour Job Search
Summary of 8 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 8
Simply applying to job postings online won’t lead to a job.
The British writer Aldous Huxley once said that “technological progress has merely provided us with more efficient means for going backwards.” This statement is renewed tenfold when it comes to job-hunting online.
You’d think that with the invention of the internet, finding a job would be simple. After all, you can open any browser, go to Indeed.com, and apply to scores of job postings with minimal effort. But, as anyone who has spent hours firing off those applications will tell you, you could apply to a hundred vacancies and not hear back from a single one.
Why? Well, companies are often swamped by all kinds of applicants – including unsuitable ones who are desperate for any work. They may or may not even see your application, and definitely don’t have time to respond to each one.
The key message here is: Simply applying to job postings online won’t lead to a job.
The internet was supposed to liberate us, wasn’t it? It was the great information superhighway that would lead us toward greater convenience. In the case of finding work, it has only complicated things.
In the past, if you wanted a job, you looked for vacancies in the local newspaper or at a job fair. Your other option was to go from employer to employer, handing out resumés. Applying for a vacancy meant taking the time to print out your resume and delivering it in person or by mail. The effort required meant that businesses received far fewer applicants. And those applicants often did their research on the employer and thus knew that they were suited to the jobs for which they were applying.
Now that anyone with access to the internet can simply apply, many businesses list openings online as a formality. It’s too much effort to sift through thousands of applications. More often than not, the job will go to someone already working for the company.
So why do we continue to apply online in this unfocused way? Well, when you’re unemployed, applying for work – any work – can make you feel like you’ve achieved something. You can say to yourself, At least the day wasn’t wasted! It’s also a way of saving face, since being unemployed can make us feel ashamed in front of family and friends.
Sadly, for most people applying for jobs online, the wait will go on. But fear not: In these blinks, we’ll look at what you can do to land your next role in a more measured way.
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What is The 2-Hour Job Search about?
The 2-Hour Job Search (2012) empowers job seekers with a step-by-step, prescriptive approach that simplifies the matter of finding work. Author Steve Dalton leverages modern technological tools, like LinkedIn, Google, and Microsoft Excel, as well as alumni lists, to help you narrow your search and find internal advocates at your target employers.
The 2-Hour Job Search Review
The 2-Hour Job Search (2012) is a practical guide to help job seekers navigate the daunting task of finding employment. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With its actionable strategies and detailed roadmap, it empowers readers to streamline their job search process and maximize their chances of success.
- The book offers a unique data-driven approach, providing readers with effective techniques backed by research and real-world examples.
- By focusing on efficiency and productivity, this book ensures that job seekers spend their time and energy on activities that yield the best results, making it far from boring.
Who should read The 2-Hour Job Search?
- Job seekers of any kind
- Recruiters looking to learn about a new method of job hunting
- Anyone interested in successful networking
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The 2-Hour Job Search FAQs
What is the main message of The 2-Hour Job Search?
The main message of The 2-Hour Job Search is to optimize your job search process by focusing on targeted networking and informational interviews.
How long does it take to read The 2-Hour Job Search?
The reading time for The 2-Hour Job Search is a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The 2-Hour Job Search a good book? Is it worth reading?
The 2-Hour Job Search is worth reading as it provides practical strategies for job seekers to save time and increase their chances of finding the right job.
Who is the author of The 2-Hour Job Search?
The author of The 2-Hour Job Search is Steve Dalton.
What to read after The 2-Hour Job Search?
If you're wondering what to read next after The 2-Hour Job Search, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Get Hired Now! by Ian Siegel
- Linked by Omar Garriott & Jeremy Schifeling
- The Job-Ready Guide by Anastasia de Waal
- Case Interview Secrets by Victor Cheng
- Job Therapy by Tessa West
- So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport
- The Success Myth by Emma Gannon
- The Unspoken Truths for Career Success by Tessa White
- A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
- Building Your Money Machine with ChatGPT by Larry Wheeler