Sitting over lunch at a deli one day, we hashed out an idea for a book on how to get a job—not the usual advice that everybody spouts off, but what it really takes. All of us could name countless people who are well intentioned, but absolutely clueless. These people need the tough love and unvarnished truth that no one—not spouses, partners, mentors, or anyone else—will tell them.
We loved the idea and immediately sought to test it out. In that moment, our waiter came over to take our order. Instead, we explained the concept and showed him three possible titles we'd just sketched out on the back of the specials-of-the- day card. “Lose the Resume—that says it all,” he agreed, then went off to get our drinks.
A short while later—after his boss chewed him out over clearing multiple tables, while balancing orders for what seemed like half the restaurant—our overworked waiter returned. He leaned in and whispered, “When can I get this book? I'm looking for a new job.”
This book is dedicated to all the hardworking waiters, office workers, sales associates, nurses, teachers, consultants, managers, and other professionals who hate their boss, whose talents are underused, and who feel unappreciated in what they do—but are still motivated to make a difference. There's hope.
My special thanks go to Dan Gugler, Patricia Crisafulli, and Jonathan Dahl, whose hard work is evident on these pages, and to Dana Martin Polk, for helping keep the process running smoothly. Many thanks to Robert Ross and Roland Madrid of RossMadrid for the design and layout of these pages.
I also want to acknowledge the invaluable help and insights of Kevin Cashman, Stu Crandell, Kate Kohler, James Lewis, Bill Sebra, and Inga Walter.
In addition, many people reached out with support, insights, enthusiasm, and stories.** Without each of you—and indeed, without every one of the nearly 8,000 people worldwide at Korn Ferry—this book would not have been possible.
Bryan Ackermann |
Franz Gilbert |
Scott Adams |
Pablo Golfari |
Liz Allison |
Samantha Goodman |
Cosme Almada |
Varun Sampath Gorur |
Rick Arons |
Kasey Harboe Guentert |
Juliana Barela |
Matt Gurin |
Katie Bell |
Ken Hamada |
Marianne Blair |
Peri Hansen |
Kenneth Bloom |
Lisa-Marie Hanson |
Adam Blumberg |
Clarke Havener |
Kari Browne |
Chad Hesters |
Adam Burden |
Carolee Heynen |
Cheryl Buxton |
Bonnie Holub |
Michele Capra |
Christine Huang |
Doug Charles |
Brad Jardine |
Bryan Davies |
Mwamba Kasanda |
Mhorag Doig |
Peter Keseric |
Chuck Eldridge |
Ross Kirkham |
Janet Feldman |
Ira Krinsky |
Brie Fifer |
Jonathan Kuai |
Christine Fuchs |
Leonardo Lacruz |
Beau Lambert |
Igor Schmidt |
Kherray Lim |
Carrie Shapiro |
Cody Loveland |
Nicola Shocket |
Tony Malinauskas |
Carlos Alberto Silva |
Georgia Matters |
Bill Simon |
Thomas McMullen |
Ariane Soule |
Stuart Melaia |
Troy Steece |
Rachel O'Connor |
Seth Steinberg |
Bruce Peterson |
Craig Stephenson |
Emilie Petrone |
Michelle Stuntz |
Hilary Pienaar |
Brian Suh |
Raj Ramachandran |
Nicky Unsworth |
Barbara Ramos |
Caroline Vang |
Bernadette Rigney |
Eric van Zelm |
Beatriz Rivera |
Jonathan Vargas |
Emily Robinson |
George Vollmer |
Rich Russo |
Selena Yuan |
Brett Ryder |
Jake Zabkowicz |
Steve Safier |
Ron Zera |
Elizabeth Schaefer |
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** All the stories in this book are true or true-to-life. The names and details (including the sample resumes) have been changed to protect the innocent, the guilty, and everyone in between.