A book that radically changed my approach to my own employment searches and to those I help with finding work is High Probability Selling by Werth and Ruben (read the first four chapters free online and obtain other helps at http://www.highprobsell.com).

I think the ideas in HPS dovetail very nicely with the idea that job searching is about selling. This is NOT a book of tricky closes and ways to overcome objections, but rather, sets forth a philosophy and methodolgy that affirms and supports the sales person (job seeker) and helps get the seller (candidate) and the buyer (potential employer) together a la Ask the Headhunter.

In fact, using the basic ideas in HPS I was able to develop what I call a self-marketing campaign methodology that can result in several actual, real job interviews every day. Now I realize this goes against your encouragement to find those three or four companies that intrigue us and go after them. But in both situations – targeting a few or looking for many – High Probability Selling should prove helpful. In fact, I would argue that when the job seeker or career changer takes the time to ask and answer the Who am I? and What do I want to do? questions, and then starts presenting him- or herself in the way suggested by HPS, that that person will find a whole new sense of confidence and self-worth coming to the surface, along with an improved (more positive) attitude.

At the very least I believe that after reading HPS the job seeker will be motivated to identify and confidently present his or skills and abilities in a positive, forward-looking, honest and non-manipulative way. And that the job seeker will start feeling less like a beggar and more like a person who has something valuable and meaningful to offer.

I heard a slight variant of this in Brian Tracy’s excellent audio program “The Psychology of Achievement.” I’d recommend that to anyone who is serious about improving their lives, including job hunters.

And I’m totally with you on the social networking sites. I’ve been on LinkedIn for over a year now, put up a profile on Classmates, and for a while, even had a MySpace page. Guess what? Almost nobody looked for me there. And definitely nobody who could help my career.

I’ve come to the conclusion after reading your blog, newsletters, and web site, and much research into achievement, that the only person who is going to help me is myself.

I may just pick up that issue of Fortune to learn a thing or two. And if I can’t find in at the store, there’s always the library (and I practically live there). Thanks, Nick.