Book Review - Job Smarts

Job Smarts: How to Find Work or Start a Business, Manage Earnings, and More

By: Sandy Donovan
Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books
Publication Date: January 2012
ISBN: 978-0761370154
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: April 9, 2012

When everyone is heading to concerts, going to the movies, or buying energy drinks except you, it "might be time to pick yourself up, hit the streets and find a job." It's not easy to find one these days, but carefully weighing your options might get you to that concert you wanted to go to or enable you to buy some decent clothes. The first thing you'll want to think about is what kind of work will suit you. If you aren't a people person, you may want to pass on the job where you have to wait on people, but might want to consider a pet sitting job.

Once you've decided on what type of job you'd like, you also have to consider how much free time you have. If you have a lot of extracurricular activities and need great grades, you'll quickly discover that "a job can make that calendar even more crowded." If you think that jobs are a snap, you'll need to think again because "holding a job is serious." Yes, you'll have that extra money you'll need, but along with it comes responsibility.

There are several ways to get a job, but you'll have to figure out where to find one. This book will give you several hints, show you how to apply, create a résumé, a cover letter, and make a reference list. Do you have a Facebook account? If you do, you'll quickly learn what you have on your wall might just lose you that coveted job. In this book you'll also learn how to dress for an interview, how to prepare for one, how to conduct yourself during an interview, you'll learn what you have to do to keep a job, how to "make a transportation plan," the importance of following rules, being a team player, you'll learn about entrepreneurship, tax information, managing your money, and you'll learn many other interesting things about finding and keeping a job.

No book will hold anyone's hand and walk them up to an establishment to apply for a job, but this book doles out some very sage advice for the young first-time job seeker. Job searches may seem easy to some, but in essence the advice given in this book can set the stage for future job search skills. Little vignettes such as the sentence "Sometimes a first paycheck can turn a teen into a reckless spender," can be an eye opener for the young reader. Important sentences are highlighted or italicized for extra emphasis. There are numerous informative sidebars interspersed throughout the pages. In the back of the book is an index, a glossary, a selected bibliography, and additional recommended book and website resources to explore.

Quill says: This is an excellent, essential guide for teens who would like to get a job or start a business.