Don't Send a Resume
By Jeffrey J. Fox
Hyperion, 2001 - 192 pages

I have read two of Mr. Fox’s books and really like his writing style.  That is why, when I recently decided to rejoin the workforce, I decided to pick up this book.  I had a feeling I would get some unique insights into job hunting from this book and I wasn’t disappointed. 

The basic theme of the book is to differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack through specialized resumes, creating “resuletters” and gathering information about the target company.  Mr. Fox basically looks at job hunting from a sales and marketing perspective, which is his primary career experience.  As I was reading this book the comments / insights from it basically reminded me of the sales and marketing books I have read over the years.  The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing by Jack Trout was the best marketing book I have read in recent years, in case anyone was interested.

A key element to this book, which should not be overlooked, is that Mr. Fox clearly understands what business is about.  At the end of the day do you provide value to an employer?  Does your position save them money, generate sales, help develop new products?  More importantly, can you put a dollar value on your importance to a corporation? Are you focusing on providing value to customers or worried about you, you, you.  At the end of the day corporations have to make money.  If they don’t they go bankrupt.  Employees that deliver tons of value tend to have promising and long lasting careers with companies they like.