cover image Whoa, My Boss Is Naked! A Career Book for People Who Would Never Be Caught Dead Reading a Career Book

Whoa, My Boss Is Naked! A Career Book for People Who Would Never Be Caught Dead Reading a Career Book

Jake Greene, . . Doubleday/Currency, $12.95 (224pp) ISBN 978-0-385-52337-0

In his witty debut, marketing consultant Greene offers sound and entertaining advice to 20-somethings on the job market. Though his tips could apply equally to the arts and nonprofit worlds, Greene reassures indie types that they can find rewards in the corporate sphere without being a secretly dissatisfied, self-important “corporate tool” who “own[s] a lot of Dockers but [doesn’t] wear the pants.” Enlivening his wide-ranging advice with comical pop culture references from the ’80s to today, Greene organizes the guide in quick, attention-grabbing chapters that can be easily read during commercial breaks. He coaches job seekers on how to “pimp” their résumés (think of cover letters like DVD cases—both must immediately catch the reader’s eye); on how to score an interview by treating it like a first date (“both involve varying levels of anticipation, conversation, humiliation, and [if you get lucky] consummation”); and on the importance of solidifying one’s professional identity (like a great band that has defined its sound) rather than being afraid of “closing the door” on various interests. This refreshing take on the job search guide for recent grads supplies career-advancing tactics in a humorous, easy-to-digest format. (Jan.)