Book Review: Use Your Head to Get a Foot in the Door

There are two approaches to writing a book about job-finding. The first takes an instructional approach showing a step-by-step process.  The second is essentially a motivational work and author Harvey Mackay takes the latter approach in Use Your Head to Get a Foot in the Door.

The book is written around nine sections each containing 10 brief chapters.  He maintains a quick-fire narrative peppered with anecdotes which is valuable in raising the morale of readers.  The section headings are illustrative of his approach.  Starting with ‘Dark Days’ and ‘Reconstruct your Attitude’, the book turns to the positive steps of providing an ‘Extreme Preparation Guide’ and ‘Mobilising A Network’.

He offers sound advice on curriculum vitae preparation and how to handle interviews.  Many managers find themselves job searching after a decade or more with one employer:  Interview technique, if one ever possessed it, does atrophy and it is more than worthwhile to receive advice on what might seem, at first glance, obvious. 

A section on ‘Getting Hired’ is particularly useful and is supplemented with a final section on ‘Staying Afloat’.
The book is rounded off with a comprehensive bibliography of other works on job-hunting.  Mackay also provides a listing of 20 revealing questions which will help the job-seeker think about the questions that might arise during an interview.

The author’s confidence is pretty limitless and very American.  It has enabled him to write a fast-paced valuable work which will prove useful to a lot of readers.  If it doesn’t then a money-back guarantee comes with the book.  Surely, there will be few refund requests.

Reviewed by Andrew May FCMI

Published by Piatkus
£11.99
ISBN 978-0-7499-5430-7