Don't Send a Resume: And Other Contrarian Rules to Help Land a Great Job

Average customer rating:

The BEST Job Getting Book I've Seen

Should be called Don't JUST Send a Resume

Reminders

Slightly Interesting? Maybe. Groundbreaking? Hardly.

This is a great book

Don't Send a Resume: And Other Contrarian Rules to Help Land a Great Job
Jeffrey J. Fox
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Job Hunting | Job Hunting & Careers | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0786865962

Amazon.com

You've read the how-to-figure-out-what-you-really-want-to-do books and completed their soul-searching assignments. You've prepared a resume worthy of the world's top performer in your field, and you've printed it on discreetly fabulous paper. And you've sent it to the (select, of course) few hundred employers you'd like to work for... and still you're looking for that great job. No wonder, then, that a book with the title Don't Send a Resume has grabbed your attention.

Jeffrey Fox is the ultimate marketer, consumed with and successful at ensuring his product stands out and is snatched up--and in this case, that product is you. Don't Send a Resume is his tip-laden guide on how to make yourself visible, desirable, and ultimately invaluable to your next employer. Dismissing the well-worn routes of sending unsolicited resumes and contacting personnel departments, Fox concentrates on what will turn job-seekers into super salespeople. While occasionally just spiced-up commonsense, his advice is simple, direct, and often ingenious, supported by details and made colorful by the odd illustration. Understand the jargon of job seeking and translate that jargon into meaningful marketing clues. Determine how the job you want creates value for the company and "dollarize" yourself accordingly. Look for a job in the unorthodox places that other job-seekers overlook. Write "boomerang" letters in response to job ads. Don't expect employers to care about your job objective or what you like to do; they only care about what they need. Don't talk and tell in an interview; answer, ask, listen, and sell. Whatever you do, don't order sauce-splashing food in a lunch interview, however tempting the dish. Oh, and don't forget to ask for the job. --S. Ketchum

Book Description

Anyone who thinks getting a good job is easy in this booming economy should think again. The real plum jobs are out there, but theyre harder to get than ever. Now, bestselling author and innovative thinker Jeffrey J. Fox, steps up to the plate once again with this no-nonsense collection of surprising and daring rules for landing the right job. Fox offers a Job Getting Blueprint, a Job Seekers Glossary, several first interview questions, as well as the basic form and variations for a boomerang letter. His rules not only help todays job seekers devise a winning strategy, but also show them how to prepare for and make the best impression in an interview.

Customer Reviews:

The BEST Job Getting Book I've Seen.......2007-04-24

Not only is this book fun and quick, it is POTENT. In addition, the concepts also make it one of the best SALES books I've read - and isn't that how you get a job? If you have to choose ONE book for job search advice - this is the one. And, no, I don't know the author! :)

Should be called Don't JUST Send a Resume.......2007-01-29

Excellent tips for job seekers. Title should be revised to Don't JUST Send a Resume. Jeffrey Fox is sly as a fox in the title of the book and he doesn't really want you to NOT send a resume, he does suggest much more than simply sending a resume. Excellent advice for getting an interview and excellent advice for pre-interview (pre-sales) preparation. This book is a quick read and could be quicker if not for a few fluff paragraphs - (Be a Fish out of Water, Don't Order Linguini with Marinara Sauce, Wind Me Up at Harvard). The advice is easy to put into action and as I plan to embark on a new phase in my own career, this primer has increased my confidence several fold.

Reminders.......2006-05-29

No, this book isn't for everyone, but it had great ideas that some people can tend to forget or never knew. I thought it was a nice refresher and there are some things that I'll probably never use, but I'm smart enough to know that a book won't give you 100% of an answer. You have to be smart enough to pick out what applies to you, what your personality will allow and go from there.

There is a review that says "DO not call." I would disgree with that (even in the South). I called an employer to make sure that they got my resume, and it resulted in my resume getting into the right hands and I got the job.

This was a great book. I didn't agree with every single word, but I did agree with the spirit of what the author was trying to impart to others and I thank him for it - I start my new (and better, with a raise) job in two weeks. This book had a direct and important impact on the job I just got hired for and made it more than worth the $16.95 I spent on it!

Slightly Interesting? Maybe. Groundbreaking? Hardly........2006-05-18

It's fairly interesting, yet there's nothing that's really slap-your-mama impressive. Most of it is just stuff the majority of us knew anyway. I pour through hundreds of resumes every few months, and I am the final decision maker when hiring a new employee.

It's not well suited for the southern states. The author repeatedly gives examples of the job applicant stating in his resume, "If I haven't heard from you in a day or so I'll call you." The best way to get your resume thrown in the trash, and maybe even a bloody nose, is to do "follow up calls" after sending a resume. If the company wants you, they'll call you. Your calling the company isn't going to push them into giving you an interview. Do NOT call the company.

Another thing that worries me is what the author considers as lying. In one passage the author says something like, "Do not tell lies on your resume. If you spent the summer as an intern stuffing envelopes you CAN say, 'I was an integral player in the implementation of a major million dollar advertising campaign.'"

Folks, I'm sorry to crash the little parade, but the above example is LYING. If you were a worthless envelope stuffer then don't try to play it up like you were someone special. You'll get much better results by saying you were asked to do a few things to help out, you enjoyed it, and that you would love to have a more important role next time.

This is a great book.......2006-04-05

I have been a full time executive career consultant for the past 4 years. If you skip chapters 12-15 and 40, this is a great book for most career seekers. It forces people to realize the getting a job is really and marketing and sales exercise... even if you are an engineer, a teacher, or an accountant. See www.executive-impact.com for reviews of this and other career-related books...

Don't Send a Resume: And Other Contrarian Rules to Help Land a Great Job

Average customer rating:

Great advice with widespread applications

Don't Send a Resume: And Other Contrarian Rules to Help Land a Great Job
Jeffrey J. Fox
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Similar Items:

How to Make Big Money in Your Own Small Business: Unexpected Rules Every Small Business Owner Needs to Know

ASIN: B000Q6ZWBK

Customer Reviews:

Great advice with widespread applications.......2007-10-01

This is a great book with lots of good techniques for marketing yourself to potential employers or customers. It is written in a very accessible style, organized as a few dozen tips or pieces of advice, each with a few pages elaborating on them. Though its targets the business professional, the advice is very applicable to anyone looking to land a job contract or sale with someone new.

Average customer rating:

Answering the Call

What the World Needs Now

Hey! I'm the author...

"Finding My Place According to Meredith Gould"

Deliberate Acts of Kindness: Service as a Spiritual Practice
Meredith Gould
Manufacturer: Image
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Volunteer Work | Job Hunting & Careers | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Sociology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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How You Can Help: An Easy Guide to Incorporating Good Deeds into Your Everyday Life

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The Active Life: A Spirituality of Work, Creativity, and Caring

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A Revolution in Kindness

ASIN: 0385502435
Release Date: 2002-01-15

Book Description

An indispensable guide to the spiritual and the practical aspects of devoting one’s time and energies to the service of others.

Deliberate Acts of Kindness is for people who are ready to supplement"random acts of kindness" with intentional acts of generosity, decency, and integrity. More than simply a handbook for volunteers, it explores the significance of service as an expression of spirituality and the commitment to something greater than oneself.

Meredith Gould guides readers through their journeys, from recognizing when they are ready to answer the call to service to finding the right place to donate their time and talents. She offers invaluable advice on discovering the types of work that best suit their personalities and the areas in which they can make the greatest contributions. There is helpful information on how to get involved, as well as sensible suggestions about what to do when things go wrong in a service situation.

An easy-to-read mix of tips, quotations, reflections, and short narrative passages, Deliberate Acts of Kindness presents a comprehensive, honest look at what service is like on a day-to-day basis. Its insights will help new volunteers and veterans alike negotiate the practical difficulties that sometimes arise and achieve the spiritual maturity that comes from answering the call to service.

Download Description

An indispensable guide to the spiritual and the practical aspects of devoting one's time and energies to the service of others.

Deliberate Acts of Kindness is for people who are ready to supplement "random acts of kindness" with intentional acts of generosity, decency, and integrity. More than simply a handbook for volunteers, it explores the significance of service as an expression of spirituality and the commitment to something greater than oneself.

Meredith Gould guides readers through their journeys, from recognizing when they are ready to answer the call to service to finding the right place to donate their time and talents. She offers invaluable advice on discovering the types of work that best suit their personalities and the areas in which they can make the greatest contributions. There is helpful information on how to get involved, as well as sensible suggestions about what to do when things go wrong in a service situation.

An easy-to-read mix of tips, quotations, reflections, and short narrative passages, Deliberate Acts of Kindness presents a comprehensive, honest look at what service is like on a day-to-day basis. Its insights will help new volunteers and veterans alike negotiate the practical difficulties that sometimes arise and achieve the spiritual maturity that comes from answering the call to service.

Customer Reviews:

Answering the Call.......2002-01-31

A thoughtful, *funny* look at service as a spiritual practice! How many authors would write about being "tenderized" after a total meltdown of mind, body and spirit? Or gently remind you to listen for the "call waiting" of service? No pious prose here. But lots of gentle, tender, thoughtful help along your own way-- from recognizing the beep from your higher self to making sure that service stays within healthy boundaries to tips to fight burnout. A great book for anyone exploring commitment or already involved with a cause.

What the World Needs Now.......2002-01-31

WONDERFUL!! The world needs this now more than ever! Good stuff about boundaries, and levels of service, and how it figures in religious traditions, as well as how to figure out whether the alleged call is of the heart or of the mind.

Reading this has helped me sort out intriguing doubts and questions I've been having about some of the service I've seemed called to lately. I got both clarity and affirmation from this wise guidance that I'll not only use myself, but to help coach clients.

What's more, the material is beautifully organized, and expressed with the delightful, tongue-in-cheek irreverent and eminently readable wisdom that is Gould's trademark as a writer.

Hey! I'm the author..........2002-01-30

And there's some stuff I want you to know about me and my book.

First, if you know anything about book publishing, you know that it's like elephant gestation. IOW, it normally takes at least two years before a book *idea* makes it into print. I'm telling you this because I happen to think it is very cosmically weird that I proposed this book *way* before the horrific events of 9/11/01.

This leads neatly to my next point: I'm a sociologist by education and training,which certainly led me to suspect that service would be the Next Big Important Thing after decades of unrelenting "Me" focus. Especially among aging Baby Boomers like moi.

As for identifying service as a spiritual practice, I credit years of traipsing the path to spirit and...well...I explain more in the "Foreword."

I hope you enjoy reading my book and that it inspires you to get involved in--or deepen your existing--service to others.

"Finding My Place According to Meredith Gould".......2002-01-28

From the tzedakah of Judaism to St. Benedict to Buddhism's dana and Hinduism's seva, Meredith Gould highlights the significance of good works in all spiritual/religious traditions.

This is a very nifty--and practical--book! She holds our hands as she guides us along the journey of doing good--the upside and what she calls the "shadow side of service." She teaches us when and how to say yes or no, how to manage volunteer assigments, and even how to recognize burnout and what to do about it.

She writes with great and gentle humor, warning newcomers to community work of booby traps they may trip over while on the path to kindness and self-fulfillment.

This is a tips book for people who seek to aid their communities in any way they can and for people, already active volunteers, who wish to probe further into what they and their organizations can accomplish.

What a treasure.

Book Description

Philip Newell's comprehensive reference work contains pearls of wisdom which anyone involved in sound recording will want to apply to their own studio design. He discusses the fundamentals of good studio acoustics and monitoring in an exhaustive yet accessible manner.

Recording Studio Design covers the basic principles, their application in practical circumstances, and the reasons for their importance to the daily success of recording studios. All issues are approached from the premise that most readers will be more interested in how these things affect their daily lives rather than wishing to make an in-depth study of pure acoustics. Therefore frequent reference is made to examples of actual studios, their various design problems and solutions.

Because of the importance of good acoustics to the success of most studios, and because of the financial burden which failure may impose, getting things right first time is essential. The advice contained in Recording Studio Design offers workable ways to improve the success rate of any studio, large or small.

*A comprehensive overview of the principles of recording studio design and their practical application
*Improve the potential of your studio with expert advice on design and monitoring
*Complex issues are explained in accessible language and illustrated with examples from actual studios

Customer Reviews:

Recording Studio Design,EXCELENTE.......2007-05-21

Recomiendo este libro. es una biblia y tiene todo lo que uno necesita saber para realizar un muy buen diseño de un estudio de grabación profesional.

Book Description

UFO phenomena entered American consciousness at the beginning of the Cold War, when reports from astonished witnesses of encounters with unknown aerial objects captured the attention of the United States military and the imagination of the press and the public. But when UFOs appeared not to be hostile, and when some scientists pronounced the sightings to be of natural meteorological phenomena misidentified due to "Cold War jitters," military interest declined sharply and, with it, further overt scientific interest.
Yet sighting reports didn't stop and UFOs entered the public imagination as a cultural myth of the twentieth century. Brenda Denzler's comprehensive, clearly written, and compelling narrative provides the first sustained overview and valuation of the UFO/alien abduction movement as a social phenomenon positioned between scientific and religious perspectives. Demonstrating the unique place ufology occupies in the twentieth-century nexus between science and religion, Denzler surveys the sociological contours of its community, assesses its persistent attempt to achieve scientific legitimacy, and concludes with an examination of the movement's metaphysical or spiritual outlook. Her book is a substantial contribution to our understanding of American popular culture and the boundaries of American religion and to the debate about the nature of science and religion.
Denzler presents a thorough and fascinating history of the UFO/abduction movement and traces the tensions between those who are deeply ambivalent about abduction narratives that seemingly erode their quest for scientific credibility, and the growing cultural power of those who claim to have been abducted. She locates the phenomenon within the context of American religious history and, using data gathered in surveys, sheds new light on the social profile of these UFO communities. The Lure of the Edge succeeds brilliantly in repositioning a cultural phenomenon considered by many to be bizarre and marginal into a central debate about the nature of science, technology, and the production of a modern myth.

Customer Reviews:

A Great Little Book.......2002-03-15

Although we hear reference to the UFO "controversy" or "debate", the situation more closely approximates an overall donnybrook, a sort of philosophical Star Wars over the relative roles that science, religion, and popular culture should play in defining our place in the Universe. Loosely aggregated camps of "believers" and "skeptics" wage a multifaceted battle on many fronts, and as in the case of a shooting war it is all but impossible for combatants to relate to the perspective of their opponents. The issue is not likely to be resolved soon. Like fifteenth century armies engaged in the Hundred Years War each side has enough resources to keep the fight going, but neither side has enough of an advantage to score a decisive victory. Despite the murky blend of reality and fantasy, the hodgepodge of ramshackle philosophical frameworks, the outrageous examples of gullibility and hermetically sealed minds, the overall fray may have some positive results. It allows people with many different perspectives to engage in dialogues that touch upon great existential issues: who we are, where we came from, our future beyond Earth, and intelligent life other than our own. Tomorrow's historians may interpret the chaotic mixture of materialism, spiritualism, empiricism and mysticism that at once entices and enrages so many people as just one small part of the intellectual effort and emotional turmoil that accompanied our coming of age in the cosmos.

Brenda Denzler's "The Lure of the Edge" is a useful addition to the fray. This well organized and nicely written book is brief, and about a third of its pages are occupied by meticulous notes and a massive bibliography. Its brevity is deceptive. "The Lure of the Edge" invites slow, careful reading because it is richly textured, inspires contemplation and reverie, and offers numerous surprises. There is a certain amount of core material that is required to tell the UFO story, but Denzler's fresh examples, interesting details and steady pace should maintain the interest of many people who are already familiar with that story.

"The Lure of the Edge" contains five chapters, an "Afterword," and a substantial "Appendix." The first two chapters give cogent histories of UFO and alien abduction phenomena. The third chapter grapples with the ambiguous and ever-shifting line between fact and fiction, and explores ideas that are defined by the opposing groups as falling at either the "cutting edge" or the "fringe" of science. In the fourth and fifth chapters Denzler looks at the interplay between science and religion and how these play out in people's thinking about UFOs. Her strong background in sociology and her Ph.D. in religious studies give Denzler an easy and in-depth familiarity with mysticism, spiritualism, transcendent experiences and the like, and allow her to develop better than average discussions of ideas that run counter to the basic tenets of science and skepticism. This means she deserves high marks for her discussions of paranormal and New Age ideas. Denzler reminds us that when we consider the influences of science and religion on UFO and other beliefs we should move beyond "God talk" and consider the systematic thinking of high quality, university-affiliated theologians.

Denzler explores issues from multiple perspectives and generally succeeds in interpreting them within useful conceptual frameworks. She makes reference not only to the major UFOlogists such as Vallee, Keel, and Mack, but also skeptics including Shaeffer, Klass, Condon, and especially Menzel. She does her best to be even-handed and fair. Still, it is impossible for any author to walk an entirely straight line through such minefields, and when Denzler errs it is in a direction that would be favored by religious scholars such as Ian Barbour, Huston Smith and Ted Peters and faulted by thoughtful skeptics such as Paul Kurtz and Michael Shermer.

The Afterword presents her final thoughts on science, religion, and UFOs. Although described as an "Appendix" the final section of "The Lure of the Edge" is a unique contribution. Here we find Denzler's own empirical studies of UFO affinity groups. This original research is based on participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and responses to written questionnaires. Although there are some acknowledged methodological limitations, the results paint an interesting picture of the demographic characteristics of the members of such groups, and provide partial tests of certain theories that bear on UFO beliefs. And, her findings remind us that while some people expect science to give them answers about UFOs, other people would prefer such answers to result from a personal quest.

journalistic, lacking sociological insight.......2002-03-08

The book I was hoping this one was has yet to be written. Denzler doesn't tell us anything we didn't already know about why and how people believe in UFOs and aliens. Mainly what we have here is just compiling the history of reported sightings and abductions, as well as summaries of leading authors (Vallee, Keel). No analysis of the psychology or mass psychology of purported abductees. If you're a true believer, the book probably won't interest you, and if you're trying to understand the believers, it won't answer your questions.

I know from my own experience that the author hasn't begun to scratch the surface of the current types of UFO beliefs. Her index doesn't even include Pleiades! There are lots of New Age types out there who believe that benevolent aliens, the Pleiadeans, are trying to help humanity evolve to higher consciousness. There are umpteen versions of this idea featuring other star systems. There are hostile as well as helpful aliens. In Sedona, Arizona, the New Age mecca (and elsewhere, I'm sure) you can purchase pamphlets mapping the alien bases underneath the Red Rock country, and describing the aerial warfare between the Good and Bad Aliens over the Arizona skies!

I'm sure that there are people who sincerely believe in UFOs without any of this supernatural apparatus. Simple enough, it's fun to believe in the possibility of exciting things that might exist. Denzler discusses pseudo-science, and that is a different category from the New Age beliefs. But why and how do people believe in Pleiadeans, and create and embellish elaborate mythologies involving extraterrestrials as angels, demons and demigods? How do abduction beliefs spread in a population? There's a great book out there waiting to be written...

A Systematic Overview.......2002-02-08

Brenda Denzler has produced a systematic and enlightening overview of the UFO phenomenon that encompasses scientific, religious, and cultural examinations. While it stands alone as a comprehensive work, it also serves as a rich trove of sources for further research by those interested in all aspects of the phenomenon. Neutral in tone, it allows readers to explore the topic without the bias of either a skeptical or proselytizing author.

Ufology, god-talk and theology: an excerpt from The Lure of the Edge: Scientific Passions, Religious Beliefs, and the Pursuit of UFOs, by Brenda Denzler, ... An article from: Skeptic (Altadena, CA)

Average customer rating:

Ufology, god-talk and theology: an excerpt from The Lure of the Edge: Scientific Passions, Religious Beliefs, and the Pursuit of UFOs, by Brenda Denzler, ... An article from: Skeptic (Altadena, CA)
Brenda Denzler
Manufacturer: Skeptics Society & Skeptic Magazine
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Skeptic (Altadena, CA), published by Skeptics Society & Skeptic Magazine on September 22, 2002. The length of the article is 6249 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Ufology, god-talk and theology: an excerpt from The Lure of the Edge: Scientific Passions, Religious Beliefs, and the Pursuit of UFOs, by Brenda Denzler, University of California Press, 2001. 295 pp. ISBN: 0-520-22432-9.(Excerpt)
Author: Brenda Denzler
Publication: Skeptic (Altadena, CA) (Refereed)
Date: September 22, 2002
Publisher: Skeptics Society & Skeptic Magazine
Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Page: 50(11)

Article Type: Excerpt

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

The only information you'll ever need for learning to play this exciting, fast paced casino game.

Craps 101: Fundamentals and Strategies for All Players

Average customer rating:

Perfectly suited for beginning or advanced craps play
Great way to learn the game!
An excellent one
Casino gaming in education
The "Must Have" Book for Craps!

Craps 101: Fundamentals and Strategies for All Players
Michael S., Ph.d. Skaff
Manufacturer: First Page Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1928623697

Product Description

If you've had trouble understanding the game of craps, this is the book for you! The author takes the complex rules, language and mathematics of the game and simplifies it all. With over 40 color photos, you will learn about the game's personnel, chips, dice, how to bet and which bets are the best to use. Dr. Skaff uses case studies to help you play craps as you read. Whether you are a beginner or have played craps for years, you will find this book is fun and educational.

Customer Reviews:

Perfectly suited for beginning or advanced craps play.......2006-03-05

This is a very well-written book suitable for easy, enjoyable reading cover to cover or as a quick reference source to freshen up before hitting the casino floor. A must for interested players of all levels.

Dr. Skaff skillfully presents the rules of craps in a very clear, concise and organized manner. Basic as well as more advanced strategies are presented with their pros/cons and "whys". Like all casino games, craps is governed by mathematical statistics. However, the author does not require of the reader an understanding of statistics to comprehend the "whys" of the game. But if the reader is so inclined, the mathematical basis for the recommendations and strategies in the book are provided in the appendices. Finally, the author does not over-hype the game or the potential for winning. Instead, the author shares his love of the game and how best to enjoy it.

Enjoy the book and enjoy the game!

Great way to learn the game!.......2006-01-15

Terrific way to get a understanding of the basics. I am ready for Vegas after reading this book.

An excellent one.......2005-12-14

This book is excellent because it guides a player be it a callow nor an experienced, how to play and to win more bets and the author clearly explains about the strategies involved in money management. This book is a must read one for all craps players.

Casino gaming in education.......2005-12-11

I am chairman of the department of mathematics and computer science at a university. Dr. Skaff's book is an excellent resource for anyone teaching probability and statistics. It provides a concrete example of using probability and odds in casino gaming. It is written in an easy to read manner for the beginner yet does provide information and strategies for the experienced player. I highly recommend this book.

The "Must Have" Book for Craps!.......2005-12-05

This book was fantastic - easy to read, not too long and filled with all the information any person needs to be able to play the game of craps. If you've ever been confused about the basic rules of craps, or if you want to hone your skills, this book provides basic strategies that will work for all players. I am not a very mathematically inclined person, but I found Dr. Skaff's explanations easy to follow and implement at the casino. This book is a must have if you're going to be taking a trip to Vegas!

Book Description

Every stage in the design of a new web site is an opportunity to meet or miss deadlines and budgetary goals. Every stage is an opportunity to boost or undercut the site's usability.

This book tells you how to design usable web sites in a systematic process applicable to almost any business need. You get practical advice on managing the project and incorporating usability principles from the project's inception. This systematic usability process for web design has been developed by the authors and proven again and again in their own successful businesses.

A beacon in a sea of web design titles, this book treats web site usability as a preeminent, practical, and realizable business goal, not a buzzword or abstraction. The book is written for web designers and web project managers seeking a balance between usability goals and business concerns.

* Examines the entire spectrum of usability issues, including architecture, navigation, graphical presentation, and page structure.
* Explains clearly the steps relevant to incorporating usability into every stage of the web development process, from requirements to tasks analysis, prototyping and mockups, to user testing, revision, and even postlaunch evaluations.
* Includes forms, checklists, and practical techniques that you can easily incorporate into your own projects at http://www.mkp.com/uew/.

Customer Reviews:

Seven user navigation models are excellent.......2003-12-14

This book contains a lot of usable usability practices that really works! You can get literally all the details of usability testing practices in this book, as well as how to run them. And good amount of pages are spent for user needs analysis and task analysis as the first steps explaining Web site engineering approach.

When reading this book, my first impression was that many worksheets, checklists and forms were included throughout this book:
- Client Interview/Web Site Information Worksheet
- Goals checklist
- Sample of Web survey
- Focus Group Preparation Worksheet
- Information Architecture Review Checklist
- Mockup Checklist (in Envisioning Design)
- Mockup Style Review Form (in Envisioning Design)
- Writing Guidelines Checklist (in Web page writing)
- Form for Brainstorming Icons
- Form for Testing Whether an Icon Is Recognizable
- Problem Report and Resolution Form (in Pre-Launch)
- Problem Summary Report (in Pre-Launch)
- Postproduction Checklist
- Web Site Final Approval Form
- Minimal Maintenance Checklist
- A Detailed, General-Purpose Checklist (for Inspection)
- User Testing Preparation Worksheet (for Evaluation)
- Typical Testing Script (for User Testing)
- Consent Form (for User Testing)

These materials are really helpful in conducting actual usability testing to get effective results. And many concepts are also categorized, organized, and explained in a lot of tables.

In engaging Web usability testing, the most important thing is to understand your audiences. This book contains very specific way of putting them into action using scenario approach. The most impressive approach of this book is in enumerating user characteristics as seven user navigation models:
1. Omnipotent model: Because people have perfect knowledge, they donft err in any way.
2. Most rational model: People click interesting links only.
3. Minimum effort model: People behave in ways with least mental efforts.
4. Mental map model: First, people build their mental map according to the Web site structure. They donft use navigation in that site which doesnft fit with their mental map.
5. Repeat fixed ways: People like his own way. They repeat their fixed ways irrespective of their inefficiency.
6. Get nearby information: When handy resources are found nearby, people use them and donft go outside.
7. Cost-performance approach: Best strategy will be determined by this cost-performance approach.

One more important practice to develop a Web site that really works is to consider the gInternational Differencesh such as languages, units, symbols, currencies, date & time, and conventions. These points are correctly addressed in this book to make your Web really workable in the international grounds as well.

This book is a really remarkable work from the point of usability practices. Don't miss this book!

One more thing to make it more usable..........2003-05-01

This book is great and very informative, however the only thing I would change (perhaps for a second edition) would be to make it spiral bound so it could lay flat while I am using it at work, which would also make it easier to photocopy the different checklists (very helpful!).

Most elaborate book.......2003-02-06

This is one of the best books ive ever read from any category. The author's flow from chapter to chapter is excellent. He describes in very good detail the pitfalls that many websites fall into by sacrificing appearance for usability. He makes his convincing case why the central focus of websites should be usability which is indeed rarely emphasized. The book elaborates as to the various stages you should involve users and various members of your design team into your development. Definately a keeper.

The best book for web usability..!.......2002-11-24

Unlike Jakob Nielsen who uses his personal opinion to judge web usability, Tom provides excellent explanation every aspect of usability based on the scientific research. This is the best book to learn and know about web usability. - LT

My usability bible.......2002-10-03

When I'm working and need to grab a book to take into the bathroom, it has typically been something light and definitely not work-related. The Stranger, maybe, or a Bathroom Reader. However, ever since I bought "Usability for the Web", it's been my bathroom book. I've already read it cover to cover, but opening it to a random page and reading for 10-15 minutes (or, what the heck, even 45 minutes) always gets me thinking of ways to improve what I'm working on. As other reviews have stated, there is nothing groundbreaking about this book. However, this is the ONLY book you will need on web usability. In fact, this book effectively replaced my books on usability, design, and architecture. All of which I read, and mostly enjoyed, but few of which I will ever pick up again.

The design of the book is also very nice, easy to read and with full color throughout.

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Technical Communication, published by Society for Technical Communication on February 1, 2003. The length of the article is 1320 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Designing Web sites that work: usability for the Web. (Book Reviews).
Author: Karla Saari Kitalong
Publication: Technical Communication (Refereed)
Date: February 1, 2003
Publisher: Society for Technical Communication
Volume: 50 Issue: 1 Page: 98(2)

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