Works Well With Others Book Summary - Works Well With Others Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

Works Well With Others summary

Ross McCammon

An Outsider’s Guide to Shaking Hands, Shutting Up, Handling Jerks, and Other Crucial Skills in Business That No one Ever Teaches You

3.2 (56 ratings)
10 mins

Brief summary

Works Well With Others by Ross McCammon is a humorous, relatable guide that outlines how to navigate office culture and relationships. With anecdotes and actionable tips, it shows how to succeed professionally by being yourself and collaborating with colleagues.

Table of Contents

    Works Well With Others
    Summary of 5 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 5

    When talking to a recruiter, learn to put yourself in her shoes.

    If you’ve applied for a job lately, you’ll know it’s common practice these days for companies to use an external recruiter to determine who gets an interview with the hiring manager. But sitting down for a meeting with a recruiter doesn’t have to be a stressful situation. With the right mindset, you can ace the meeting and get that call back.

    First off, it’s important to understand what a recruiter is looking for in an interview.

    Contrary to what most people think, recruiters are more interested in building a relationship with you than in helping an employer fill a vacant position. If they don’t find something for you today, they might still come across the perfect job down the line. So think of the meeting as an informative conversation, an opportunity for the recruiter to learn more about you and your career goals.

    A good technique is to put yourself in the recruiter’s shoes. Imagine you are the one who has to find a new employee for a company. You’ll meet a lot of well-educated and motivated people who may not be the right fit for this position, but might be perfect candidates for the next business you start recruiting for.

    So, with this in mind, how should you act in front of a recruiter?

    First of all: Don’t be late! Tardiness makes a bad first impression that is always difficult to overcome.

    Second: Don’t lie! If you really are right for the job, being truthful about yourself will prove it.

    And third: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Find out as much as you can about the position and what the company is looking for. By learning what qualities they’re seeking, you can emphasize those traits in yourself during your interview with the hiring manager.

    Finally, after the meeting, send a thank you note to the recruiter. It’s a simple gesture that leaves a good impression.

    Want to see all full key ideas from Works Well With Others?

    Key ideas in Works Well With Others

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is Works Well With Others about?

    Works Well With Others (2015) is a guide for professionals – both new and old – seeking tips and tricks for handling themselves in the modern workplace. From mastering the interview process to fitting in on your first day, these blinks teach you those crucial social rules that no one ever talks about.

    Works Well With Others Review

    Works Well With Others (2015) is a book that offers valuable insights on building successful relationships in the workplace. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • Packed with practical tips and strategies, it provides guidance on how to navigate office dynamics and effectively collaborate with colleagues.
    • Through real-life stories and relatable examples, the book demonstrates the importance of emotional intelligence and empathy in fostering positive working relationships.
    • With its humorous and engaging writing style, the book keeps readers entertained and invested, ensuring that the topic of workplace relationships remains anything but boring.

    Best quote from Works Well With Others

    Nothing can be found out about a person less than a month into a job. Nothing. Because youre not seeing the real person.

    —Ross McCammon
    example alt text

    Who should read Works Well With Others?

    • People looking for advice on hiring interviews
    • Professionals preparing to enter the workforce
    • Anyone interested in workplace etiquette

    About the Author

    Ross McCammon, senior editor of Esquire magazine since 2005 and a longtime columnist for Entrepreneur magazine, is an expert on business etiquette. He is also the author of The Impostor’s Handbook.

    Categories with Works Well With Others

    Book summaries like Works Well With Others

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    33 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Start your free trial

    Works Well With Others FAQs 

    What is the main message of Works Well With Others?

    The main message of Works Well With Others is to develop strong interpersonal skills to succeed in the workplace.

    How long does it take to read Works Well With Others?

    The reading time for Works Well With Others varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Works Well With Others a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Works Well With Others is a valuable read for anyone looking to improve their communication and collaboration skills at work.

    Who is the author of Works Well With Others?

    Ross McCammon is the author of Works Well With Others.

    What to read after Works Well With Others?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Works Well With Others, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Rest by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
    • The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer
    • Interviewology by Anna Papalia
    • Steal the Show by Michael Port
    • The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
    • Good Energy by Casey Means
    • The First 2 Hours by Donna McGeorge
    • Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
    • Finding Clarity by Marc Lesser
    • Team of Teams by General Stanley McChrystal with Tantum Collins