PREFACE This letter, written to me in September of 2009, during the worst recession since the Great Depression of 1933, is from a woman who lives in Detroit, Michigan. At the time she wrote it, the unemployment rate in Detroit was 13 percent. She had worked for a number of years for GM and, along with thousands of others, was laid off. September 10, 2009 Tony, Thank you for all of your guidance and support during this phase in my employment. I know that if we had not crossed paths, I would not be traveling my new, prosperous, and much brighter path. I began my job search six months before I learned of my layoff. I registered with two large job boards, visited numerous company websites, and enlisted the services of three recruiters. Given the current economic state of Detroit, I decided to form my own business and offer my services to companies who were reluctant to hire new employees. I attended numerous networking events weekly. I also attended conferences and seminars where my target clients would gather. Though I picked up some clients, it was not enough to cover my cost of living and my outlook on employment grew very dim. After my formal layoff and slow business growth, I actively searched for jobs for nearly six months. I then found your books and your program. Through them, I learned about numerous unconventional ways to find work. Each week I networked, cold called, and even walked through the front doors of local businesses looking for work. I followed your system. Your advice to call everyone I knew, including family, friends, former coworkers, and even their associates, was invaluable. What was just as important was that you taught me what to say. After making a list, I called someone whom I had met only twice and explained my em- ployment situation. Even though she was not in any position to offer me employment she did offer to speak with me and, as I learned from The Job Search Solution, any opportunity to present yourself is an interview. Over a year earlier, she lost an employee and really had not con- sidered filling the position. I followed the scripts that you provided and within the first 10 minutes of meeting me, she knew I would be a great candidate if she ever decided to open the position up. I followed up the next day with a thank you and the employer asked if I would like to further discuss the vacancy in her practice. For my second "meeting/ interview," following the instructions of The Job Search Solution, I created a simple presentation about why I should be hired. That meeting was concluded by asking me to decide what an equitable rate would be for me to join the firm. I now earn a considerable amount more than my previous auto- motive employer compensated me and work under much more desirable conditions. I know I would have never found this career if I had not learned and followed the methods given by you in The Job Search Solution. I learned how to get the job of my dreams in the down economy of the Motor City. Your advice motivated me to not give up. It was by faith, following your instructions "exactly" the way you recommend, as well as remaining positive that I now have the job of my dreams! With Warmest Regards, Shaniece Bennett Shaniece is very kind. Of all of the letters, emails, and notes I've received over the years, this one is probably the most meaningful. This woman had been laid off by General Motors at the height of the recession in a city with 13 percent unemployment and she found another job. As any good coach would tell you, no matter how good his strategy is and how good the plays he calls are, the "players" still have to execute. Shaniece executed flawlessly. She practiced the techniques that I wrote about and followed the instructions to a T. The message is simple. I'm not guaranteeing that it's easy, but it is simple. If you follow the instructions in the process that I recommend in this book, you have a very good chance of getting a job. Excerpted from The Job Search Solution: The Ultimate System for Finding a Great Job Now! by Tony Beshara All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
