Kay (syndicated columnist, "At Work"; Life's a Bitch and Then You Change Careers) offers practical advice for the job seeker based on her expertise as a career consultant. The first chapter, "You Are What You Seem," lists 17 characteristics employers look for, such as consistent, stable behavior; clear, critical thinking; and initiative. Her approach highlights multiple ways to reassess strengths and weaknesses and offers readers the opportunity to glean the employer's perspective. Balanced throughout are sections detailing things you should never do (e.g., don't act old), things you should never talk about (e.g., bad experiences with previous employers), and things you should never wear (e.g., Hawaiian shirts). She also discusses maintaining jobs. Job hunters will want to refer to Kay for solid guidance, particularly concerning interviewing. VERDICT A concise, handy advice guide that can help job seekers everywhere.-Barbara Kundanis, Longmont P.L., CO (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In this surprisingly insightful job-hunting book, career consultant and syndicated columnist Kay (Life's a Bitch and then You Change Careers) advises prospective employees from the perspective of the hiring agent, and provides no-nonsense advice, especially regarding what you should never do or say. There is little in positive reinforcement; rather, much of the text focuses on the negative. Kay believes that employers are "looking for `something wrong with you' so that they can eliminate you, make their job easier, and be as efficient as possible in the process." But there is no need for concern; she follows up her don'ts with a list of corresponding do's. Most of the book covers topics dealing with the interview process, including a chapter on how to (or how not to) dress. Kay focuses on dynamics between employers and job candidates: what employers want, what they look at/for, what will cause them to not consider you, and, perhaps most important of all, how you appear to them. Kay even includes a lengthy questionnaire to help determine how employers see you and how you want to appear to them. This book should help give job seekers an edge over the competition. Agent: Linda Konner, Linda Konner Literary Agency. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.