‘Working World 101’ offers tips on getting, keeping a job

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Bridget Graham, assistant editor of Malibu Times Magazine, co-authored "Working World 101: The New Grad's Guide to Getting a Job" using experience as a human resource manager.

Written for college graduates, “Working World 101: The New Grad’s Guide to Getting a Job,” an in-depth guide that reveals the secrets of getting a job and successfully keeping it, can also apply to any job seeker of any age. Comprised of the educational and occupational experiences of authors Bridget Graham and Monique Reidy, the handbook covers everything from resume writing and networking to office romance.

Graham, a former human resource manager responsible for five states and 2,500 employees and current human resource business consultant and assistant editor of Malibu Times Magazine, is finishing her master’s degree in communications at Pepperdine University. It is there she developed the idea to write “Working World 101.”

“After going back to graduate school as an older student, I found I had the experience to answer many of the questions college students were asking about the business world,” Graham said.

Reidy, former owner and manager of a design firm and current writer of numerous local and international publications, received her master’s degree in communications from Pepperdine University as well.

The book addresses fundamental skills such as how to write a resume and a cover letter but it also addresses commonly overlooked factors that could make or break a job interview or cause an employee to lose their job. Various chapters teach readers nonverbal ways to communicate and appeal to their potential employers such as self-confidence, maintaining a hygienic appearance and appropriate workplace attire. It also offers a wealth of verbal skills to be utilized in the workplace, such as defining inappropriate subject matters to discuss with colleagues or potential employers, and how to speak about oneself without appearing arrogant.

Each chapter features testimonies from qualified professionals, business executives and former students who talk about their personal job-related experiences and offer advice about how to manage a wide range of issues. The testimonies contribute to the authenticity of the book and add a sense of reality to the challenges associated with getting a job.

What’s also appealing about “Working World 101” is the way it’s written. Graham and Reidy clearly understand how overwhelming the job hunt can be and use humor to connect with their readers. When discussing proper workplace etiquette and how to make a good impression, for instance, the book advises readers to “leave Gossip Girl at home.”

“Working World 101” brings to life corporate culture in an enjoyable way by integrating vital tips and work skills with light-hearted comedy. Graham said she is confident it will help many achieve their occupational dreams.

“It was a really rewarding experience to be able to take the knowledge of more than 12 or 13 years of human resource and communication experience and put it into a book,” Graham said. “I really think it will help people, and that’s all I really want it to do.”

“Work World 101: The New Grad’s Guide to Getting a Job” is available online at www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com