Amy Lindgren

The new year is here, with all its excitement and hoopla. And possibly dread if you’re engaged in a difficult job search. If so, this end-of-year book review might help.

“The 2-Hour Job Search: Using technology to get the right job FASTER,” by Steve Dalton, Ten Speed Press, 2020.

As a starting point, know that the title doesn’t refer to the total length of one’s job search (of course!). Nor does it define a two-hour daily regimen, although that could be a choice that you make. Instead, Dalton is providing a template for a two-hour (re)launch on the search itself.

And, although the subtitle refers to technology, Dalton wrote this book before artificial intelligence swamped the world of job search. Instead, the technology he advises harnessing is more about productivity. That said, most of his methodology can be enhanced with AI if that’s a preferred tool.

These caveats matter because mis-classifying this book as out of touch with today’s processes would be an easy but ironic mistake. Ironic because Dalton’s core message is more important today than it was five years ago: Job search offline is more productive than its online counterpart.

While Dalton’s concept isn’t new, he offers an interesting twist with his two-hour launch: Rather than endlessly pondering the search process and doing the mental version of sharpening pencils instead of starting, this system has you completing and optimizing a list of 40 targeted employers, identifying and prioritizing related contacts, and drafting a template outreach email all within 120 minutes.

Will it be perfect? No, but it will be done. You can always revise, but now you’ll have what you need to conduct an offline search, using Dalton’s guidance as needed. That guidance is fairly comprehensive, complete with schedules and scripts for following up with contacts, and alternative (improved) questions to use when you land networking meetings.

Related to the technology aspect, Dalton’s recommended minimum is spreadsheet software (such as Excel), a LinkedIn account (the no-cost version), and an email account. Since you likely have some or all of these tools already, the learning aspect will be how to apply them productively and perhaps more efficiently than you have been.

For more on Dalton’s two-hour concept, you’ll find numerous online video sessions modeled on his work, as well as links to related podcasts and even support groups. Here are a few to get you started:

www.2hourjobsearch.com — Dalton’s own web site, somewhat outdated but still useful.

https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/the-2-hour-job-search-book-summary-63004716/63004716 — a downloadable pdf with 47 sequential slides based on the book.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSaJ2owrgh0 — one of several video sessions featuring Dalton’s book, this one from the Intel Alumni Network.

Note that some of the videos you’ll see online were produced by university alumni departments, and their examples focus on contacts to be made through their institutions. This isn’t surprising since Dalton was a program director and senior career counselor with Duke University when he wrote the book. The YouTube link above (from the Intel Alumni Network) features a more mid-manager approach, while the downloadable pdf is almost entirely geared for new graduates.

Will this system help you get a job faster? Maybe yes and maybe no, since there are personal factors at play. Depending on your willingness to suspend disbelief, some aspects of the process might be difficult to embrace. Likewise, if you’re slow to send emails to your contacts, you’ll draw the process out longer than if you keep a brisk pace.

Eliminating speed as a criteria, this is a strong approach and one that will get you to the finish line. I’m also convinced you’ll have a better outcome in terms of mental and emotional health. Job search is stressful and burnout is real. Whatever gives you control over the process while freeing you from pointless tasks is worth trying.

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Amy Lindgren owns a career consulting firm in St. Paul. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecareerservice.com.