Never Search Alone: The Job Seeker’s Playbook

I have recently experienced a layoff. Like many others, I found myself surprised, saddened, burnt out, and confused. I truly had no idea what I wanted to do next, but I knew it wasn’t what I had been doing for the previous 14 years. Time for a change! I had a high level of anxiety trying to start all over and figure out how to find new work, in a totally different industry, with my transferrable skills, while not meeting all the requirements in the job descriptions. In addition, ‘competing’ with the ATS and other candidates more qualified for the job. I knew I had work to do but didn’t know where to start. After several weeks of the ‘standard job search activities,’ that rarely if ever amount to positive results, I met Phyl in a free LinkedIn session talking about the power of Job Search Councils (JSC). I immediately signed up to join a Job Search Council community as a moderator. Phyl Terry’s comprehensive guide to improving your job search skills is a proven path to success beyond simply applying for the next job. The book’s introduction is magical and there are numerous testimonials to the power of the process. Phyl's writing style is engaging and witty, making this book powerfully informative and positively entertaining. The path outlined in the book is a clear and community-based search approach vs. an individual effort filled with rejections and ghosting. The book delivers a framework and toolset for asking for help in a self-reliant and confident way – outlining the benefit of peer support. Collaborative features with a practical approach vs. managing a job search in a lonely, isolating and discouraging way. The JSC offers time for reflection and research, doing mutually reinforcing activities to find your next fulfilling job – the one you have been searching for! It’s a great way to meet people from all walks of life, at all stages of their career journey — all with one purpose — finding a job that fulfills you, that speaks to your candidate market fit, and where you can shine. I’m still in the process with my JSC, with deep gratitude to my council and to Phyl! I’ve gained more than I ever anticipated through my own self-reflection with this book’s guidance, along with the regular JSC meetings of support. I highly recommend this book for anyone, whether you’re employed and reflecting on your next move, or you find yourself unemployed and need a jumpstart, some positive energy and ideas to move forward. I wish I had this book years before I really had to use it! It’s a blessing and will provide you with hope and a detailed map to your next big thing!

"Never Search Alone" by Phyl Terry is a remarkably insightful and inspiring career guide. The book's meticulously researched content and well-constructed arguments have profoundly transformed my perspective on job hunting. What immediately strikes about the book is its depth of understanding concerning the job search process. The author doesn't merely touch upon the surface of conventional wisdom but instead dives into layers of insight that can be quite surprising and thought-provoking. It was an enlightening experience to read about concepts and strategies that, despite their significance, had never crossed my mind before. Terry's approach to research is commendable. It’s not just the quantity but the quality of the information that sets this book apart. Every piece of advice and suggestion is rooted in careful research, and every claim is supported by concrete evidence. This lends the book an air of credibility that is both comforting and encouraging. One of the most impactful aspects of the book for me was its emphasis on the power of networking and reaching out. The title "Never Search Alone" is not just a clever phrase; it encapsulates the essence of the book's main message. Terry elucidates how harnessing the power of community and making connections can make the arduous job search process less intimidating and more fruitful. The book makes a compelling argument for overcoming the reluctance many of us feel when it comes to asking for help. Through poignant examples and powerful anecdotes, Terry underscores the value of seeking assistance. This emphasis on the importance of seeking and offering support in professional life is a fresh perspective in the field of job search literature. The transformative impact of "Never Search Alone" is not just cognitive but also behavioral. Post reading, I find myself putting the insights into practice, reaching out more frequently, and asking for help without hesitation. It has fostered an understanding of the importance of community and how leveraging it can make a significant difference in one's job search journey. In summary, "Never Search Alone" by Phyl Terry is not just another book about job searching. It is an inspirational and informative guide, a lighthouse that helps navigate the sometimes stormy seas of job hunting. For anyone grappling with their career paths or job search, this book will undoubtedly offer valuable direction and motivation.

Never Search Alone is a must-read guide for anyone in the job market. The book offers practical strategies and detailed advice that go beyond the usual tips. In my personal case, it helped me get to know myself a bit better. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to enhance their job search approach, even if you're not actively searching.

I was so thankful to find out about Phyl's book Never Search Alone when job hunting. Previously I had been doing so for over 9 months with no success. Getting the book really helped me utilize good tools and strategies and more importantly Phy's volunteer team put me in touch with other job seekers in forming a Job Search Committee (JSC). I cannot believe this was done at no cost to me. It is evident Phyl is out to help people not profit from them and I am so grateful for his and his volunteers' help. He also set up group calls with jobseekers from all the world to share his strategies and provide support. An incredible man and a really great reference book. I have met some wonderful people in my JSC and I am definitely recommending this book to anyone who is searching for a new job. Kris R

Over my career, I have been exposed to great coaches and insights on job search. Phyl, however, takes things one step further. What he proposes is the bleeding edge of job searching. Furthermore, beyond the great tips and tools, this book instills an "entrepreneurial" mindset, in the sense that it empowers us to take ownership of our careers, and think of our relationship to the organisations we work for more as business relationships between partners, as opposed to the outdated "job-giver"/"job-taker" mentality. Great read, strongly recommended.

I was out of work for 18 months, and the Never Search Alone group that I help moderate was truly invaluable in helping me refocus, appreciate the small wins, and discover the confidence that had long since left me while I was job-hunting alone. Phyl Terry's framework is industry and role-agnostic, and it's simple and energising. It takes some work, but it's a powerful approach to finding a role that is right for you. On top of that, it's fun to go through, and I made some great new friends through our NSA group. I really can't recommend Never Search Alone enough.

I believe this book will make a huge difference in you job search (no matter if you're in the early days of your career or you have been in the market for decades). I bought it, read it, joined one o the councils and can say it's worth the time/effort and it's also fun. It has nothing to do with tradicional job search.