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Reader Reviews
(As
reported to Amazon.com)
The
Secrets Of Executive
Search ...
Professional
Strategies for
Managing Your Personal Job Search
A
skill improvement approach to advancing your career
Reviewer: Greg Spindler — Dallas, Texas
I was fortunate to come across this book a few days before a very important interview. I truly believe that this book significantly increased my performance during that interview. "Secrets" very quickly gave me a context and methodology for answering tough interview questions and helped me organize a strategy prior to the meetings. The result was nothing less than spectacular. I felt that regardless of the outcome of the interviews, I had performed at the peek of my potential. The interviews lasted over eight hours. During that time I was able maintain a very high level of energy and keep myself focused on strategy. The coaching in this book allowed me to stay completely calm and confident. I have since gone back and read the book again to improve my approach with recruiters and companies I wish to target. I highly recommend this book to any professional who wants to become more polished in their approach and interaction with all the people involved in searching for new career opportunities.
No
Longer “Secrets.”
Reviewer:
Bob Morris, Top Ten Book Reviewer
— Amazon.com
The title of this book is somewhat misleading because it incorrectly suggests that Melancon’s scope is much narrower than in fact it is. True, he has many insights into the executive search process itself, insights which may well be “secrets” previously unknown by some readers. His primary audience consists of career executives who are either now seeking another position or realize the need to plan a career which includes, but is by no means limited to, the position they now occupy. Melancon’s insights can also be of incalculable value to students, their parents, and guidance counselors as well as to any others who wish to be better prepared to help students as they seek employment after graduation. (Over the years, Melancon has given a great deal of expert advice to the daughters and sons of family members as well as those of countless personal friends and business associates.) I also think this book will be of value to those in human resource departments who are involved, directly or indirectly, in the recruiting, screening, and (perhaps) interviewing of job applicants. Finally, I highly recommend this book to owners/CEOs of smaller companies who must identify and evaluate candidates but are unwilling and/or unable to retain executive search assistance from those such as Melancon.
Thanks
for this much needed book!
Reviewer:
Bill Prince
— Richardson, TX
Over the years I have worked in Executive Search, Executive
Outplacement and corporate staffing. All have their unique ways of
dealing with similar topics. Melancon's The Secrets of Executive Search
captures the essence of these fields in such an effortless way that he
makes the complex seem easy, without oversimplifying the topics. In a
concise and easy to follow stream of logic he explains the career dance
from many perspectives, while giving the reader many useful tips with
plenty of memory devices to aid in recalling the key points. This book
should be required reading for all corporate executives and anyone
aspiring to become a corporate executive.
“Secrets,” A Must-Read For Anyone Conducting
A Job Search.
Reviewer: Catherine Blades — New Orleans, LA
The beauty of “Secrets” is its ability to provide specifics, not generalities, regarding the job search process. It accomplishes a number of goals, including demystifying the increasingly important on-line search, which has been a huge missing link in books exploring similar topics. “Secrets” even explained why I landed one of the best jobs of my career (Secret #10). It was indeed by accident at time, but now, after reading The Secrets of Executive Search, I can rely on strategies, not accidents. Thanks!
Melancon
speaks directly to you, not at you!
Reviewer:
Lt. Gen. Phil Ford —
USAF Retired
As
professional military officer for thirty-three plus years, I didn't look
for jobs - they were assigned. So, when I retired and began looking for
work in the private sector, I was behind the power curve with regard to
the job search process. "The Secrets of Executive Search" took
away that deficiency. Concise, readable, and straight forward; I never
hesitate to recommend it to military friends starting their own searches
for second careers. Melancon speaks directly to you not at you ...
professional to professional. A great reference book for every
executive's library.
The
Secrets of Executive Search
Reviewer:
From
resume reviews to job-search seminars, there is no lack of career advise
within most MBA programs. Melancon puts all this advise and more into a
short, pithy book that is written as much for his readers' enjoyment as
it is for their education. It is an excellent book for those proactive
individuals who want to develop their career in the new economy.
A
wealth of information ..... a must read!
Reviewer: R. Lynn Guillory
—
Dallas, TX
"Secrets
of Executive Search" is a wealth of information. As a Human
Resources professional for 30 years, at the officer level for the past
ten years-I have had the opportunity to recommend many books such as
"Rites of Passage" etc. Now I'm recommending "Secrets of
Executive Search" because Melancon is right on target. This book is
a good read for anyone - but a must read for anyone conducting a job
search.
Wonderful
insight! Melancon's expertise shines through!
Reviewer: Stormy Thomson —
Phoenix, AZ
Entertaining,
well organized and a wealth of content-a refreshing combination in this
line of reading! All too often one must endure the hum drum to extract
the relevant information. Melancon, however, has proven his expertise
and avoided wasting time by giving the "straight from the hip"
version of the job search from the "other side." A must have
for those in the market for changing jobs. Readers emerge from this book
feeling as if they have just attended a secret meeting and are coming
away with privileged knowledge.
The
Secrets of Executive Search
Reviewer:
Patrick Dailey —
Dallas, TX
Having
been on both ends of the spectrum - recruiter and "recruitee",
I found this book to be informative and fun to read. "Secrets"
is a must have for people at all levels who are in the job market. It is
also a great read for HR professionals who help staff their
organizations. Although talent is scarce, candidates must take the job
search seriously. The practical tips and tools in this book should give
potential employees the edge they need to separate themselves from the
pack.
Reviewer:
Thomas S. Brown —
Greenville, TX
I
ordered "Secrets" even though I already own a great many books
of this type. Mr. Melancon has done a super job of taking a great deal
of information, simplifying it, and giving live examples that help to
make each point. One of my favorite aspects of the book is that it is so
user-friendly. Following each chapter is an outline of points to
remember, followed by space for taking notes. If you are looking for a
job, particularly at the executive level, this is the book you will
continually refer to.
Sound and Insightful!
After
reading The Secrets of Executive Search I can confidently say that
Melancon’s suggestions are extremely sound and insightful. It’s a
great “umbrella” description of the entire process.
"Secrets" helped me plan and anticipate all the steps along
the way before I made too many errors.
Read
This First!
Reviewer:
Rita Ashley — Seattle, WA
The information in “Secrets” is a “must have,” and any successful search must include Melancon’s guidelines. There are many books on the market for job seekers, but this is the one that treats the reader as intelligent and gives all she needs to know for her executive job search. As a retained search professional writing my own book on Guerilla Job Search Techniques, I recommend this book frequently.
An
Immediately Actionable Guide
Reviewer:
Don R. Mueller — McKinney, TX
Melancon has written a very helpful and actionable guide for anyone who
is in the job market or plans on advancing their career. As one who has
recently been in a personal job search, The Secrets of Executive
Search helped me to focus on what is important and develop an
actionable plan tailored to my needs.
Within weeks I saw a noticeable improvement in the quality and
quantity of the follow-up inquiries I was receiving.
The
Secrets of Executive Search breaks down the search process into each
of its component pieces from resume development to offer negotiations,
offering the reader constructive help in each area while providing light
anecdotal stories from Melancon's experiences as an executive recruiter.
Did you know resumes should be organized differently on the Web and in
databases for greater effectiveness? The book is chalked full of the
small and large tips like this that would come from a recruiting
professional with years of experience.
This book is required reading for anyone serious about marketing him or herself. It's a reference you'll go back to time and time again.
Outstanding
Resource
Reviewer:
Ashley Hodge — Southlake, TX
The Secrets of Executive Search is a great resource for anyone that wants to sharpen their career skills. My wife has been a professional recruiter for 9 years and agreed with the sound advice given in this book. One of the greatest strengths of the book is that there are no wasted words. It is a quick read, but packed with useful information. The "You Asked For, I Have" cover letter was my favorite tip. With 80% of baby boomers expected to work at least part-time in retirement, and as Melancon points out, the average person changes jobs every 5 years, sharpening job search skills is a must.
A
Real Eye Opener!
Reviewer:
Sean Kent — Rockwall, TX
Concise, practical, and enlightening. Melancon reveals the challenges of executive job search from the hiring manager's perspective, and provides powerful tips to make the job process work for you. Learn to differentiate yourself from the sea of other job applicants and have your dream job find you. The Secrets of Executive Search is well organized, and to the point. The end-of-chapter checklists are extremely helpful. Don't head out to your next interview without reading this book first!
"The Secrets of Executive Search" is published by John Wiley & Sons and is available at all major bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and most other online booksellers.
Note: Expenses associated with finding a new job are generally tax deductible. Consult your tax advisor.
