Interesting Premise

Charlie Hoehn's "Recession Proof Graduate: How to Land the Job You Want by Doing Free Work" (2011) has some fantastic ideas for finding work in a tough economy, and those ideas worked for him. Hoehn talks about approaching businesses and volunteering work, and he's set forth the specifics on how to figure out who to approach; what approaches to use; and how to turn that into paying work. It appears to have worked for Hoehn very well, but it looks like he's consulting to relatively young and technologically nimble companies.

I'm having a hard time imagining his approach working in companies that are so large that adapting new technology is expensive because of the sheer number of people involved; so entrenched that older management wouldn't be comfortable thinking outside of long established practices; and highly regulated, which makes those businesses, of necessity, extremely cautious. I'd add a caveat to Hoehn's plan: if you are going to do this, chose an industry that's structurally capable of accepting what he's suggesting, rather than an industry like big banking or insurance.

Hoehn's ideas are intriguing, and it's worth the time to listen.

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Interesting lecture

With all of the current stories about 23, 24 or 25 year old college graduates living in their parents' basements while working at Burger King for minimum wage while looking for a real job, this lecture sounded interesting. Having received my undergrad degree 51 years ago and having a nice selection of job offers to consider before I receive my degree, I'm not an expert on this dilemma. My three age 40+ adult children did not have the problem. I cannot relate to doing free work like this lecture suggests. It seems to me to be best if parents of 18 year olds insist that their college bound offspring major in areas that will lead to marketable skills, like STEM (science, technology, engineering, math).

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Hit and Miss

What did you like best about FREE Recession Proof Graduate? What did you like least?

Solid advice on SEO tactics and the vital importance of owning your name and brand.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

There are hits and misses as far as advice goes. It's an interesting concept that would work well for some people in highly specialized situations, but the biggest miss is the overall tone of know-it-all world weary superiority. I never felt like the author was sharing advice to help others along, but more like he was bragging and that coupled with the frequent put-downs of young people just left me feeling pretty chilly toward the book, even when the ideas were interesting.

How could the performance have been better?

The narrator sounds like such a d o u. . . not nice guy. I didn't like his smug superior tone. The narration had me grimacing and making faces at my speaker. LOL!

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Snake oil with grains of truth

Trying as best as I can to be fair, the so called "recession-proof" graduate, seemed somewhat light on the details of the circumstances that led him to become "successful" which is the basis of his argument. Apparently a degree matters when you're in a highly technical field like computer engineering or chemistry where your expensive piece of paper actually matters.
Also there are millions of people who already do Photoshop, HTML, & PHP.
Seriously! that's the solution to being recession-proof like WTF!? I could program in Java, Python, SQL, and Work Adobe Premiere, and Photoshop before the end of my freshman year. And even then those were still mediocre skills compared to most of my peers.
Of course probability stats have nothing to do with the so called recession-proof formula there are apparently no other variables others than the authors own whit, really!?
This is practically advocating serfdom, because paying the god damn Chinese a few cents an hour is just too much for employers no, you got to undercut even them! Absolutely insane, this "one weird trick" click-batey Kool-Aid might go down well with the desperate and unfortunate cognitive-illiterate students of some sad for-profit college in some of the more backwards & regressive parts of this country but anyone with basic critical thinking skills, eyeballs and a pulse could see the BS that this is.
I'm sorry but this was certainly not worth my time nor yours.

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Absolute Game Changer

Would you listen to FREE Recession Proof Graduate again? Why?

When I read this as an ebook two years ago, it was transformational for me.

Not only was it the most useful ebook I ever read. It also meshed perfectly with my values: getting ahead in the world by helping others.

Two years later, a month doesn't go by where I don't think about these lessons in one way or another.

What was one of the most memorable moments of FREE Recession Proof Graduate?

The greatest takeaway for me was helping me clarify and find the work I want to spend my life doing. By doing free work, I found the projects I am interested in when there isn't even a cent involved.

What about Ray Chase’s performance did you like?

I love the narration. I was so happy to see this as an audiobook.

Any additional comments?

If you enjoy this book, be sure to check out Charlie's other great book: Play It Away.

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Every college students guideline.

I'm grateful I came upon this gem. It completely changes the frame of the job seeking experience and emphasizes a proactive approach. The guidelines Charlie offer demonstrates value for the potential employer. The process includes work and that filters the doers from the "kinda-want it." Good stuff.

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Nice tips.

Good book. I am starting my blog right know. Thank very much for sharing this

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live when your alive , enjoy your work

In this competitive world , it's not easy to stick to your passion. But to make a difference , you have to be different. I have seen a very few number of people with a satisfactory lifestyle , I think it is worth the wait in the initial stages of free service , as described in this book.Thank you for this wonderful book.

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Well worth the price.....

The price is right for this little book companion and a good read between large volumes of books.

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Be Wary

I always take these sorts of books with a grain of salt. What works for one person isn't guaranteed to work for another. His process seems a bit too simplified, but if someone is desperate/willing to try anything, I suppose it's decent advice.

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