The 2-Hour Job Search, Second Edition: Using Technology to Get the Right Job Faster

I spent several months applying for jobs before realizing that my approach wasn’t working—and that I needed to understand why. After reading summaries of dozens of books on networking, interviewing, and job searching, I narrowed my list down to a handful. The 2-Hour Job Search stood out because it does something most job-search advice avoids: it names the real problem clearly and then builds a practical system around it. The core insight—that online applications have extremely low odds unless paired with a warm path—isn’t just provocative; it’s accurate. The “1 in 13” framing is an honest diagnosis of how modern hiring actually works, especially at the senior level. Rather than offering platitudes or generic networking advice, Dalton provides a probability-driven, relationship-first framework that replaces false hope with disciplined execution. What makes this book different is its operational clarity. The LAMP list, six-point emails, and time-boxed approach make it possible to apply the method consistently without burning out or resorting to spammy outreach. It’s not about working harder; it’s about placing effort where it actually changes outcomes. This isn’t a book for someone looking for motivation or shortcuts. It’s for professionals who want to understand how hiring really works and are willing to follow a system. In a space crowded with vague or revenue-driven advice, The 2-Hour Job Search is refreshingly rigorous and grounded in how decisions are actually made. I’m glad to have found it and look forward to the next edition.

If I could sum up two things that the 2HJS offers it would be: 1.) A psychological and research/evidence-based approach to networking and acquiring meaningful knowledge to assist in the job search. The knowledge and background that Dalton lays out for you gives you confidence and an understanding that his recommended approaches are not subjective but rather based in meaningful understanding of how people interact and provide support. 2.) A focused and straightforward guide to job searching - For someone who read ALL the blogs about job-searching and networking, the 2HJS is a breath of fresh air. Instead of giving broad advice, Dalton lays out clear methods of attaining a job at one of your top companies. For example, Dalton encourages you throughout the job search process to understand the cost/reward benefit of each action you take. He uses feedback from his own experience (guiding countless students through the job search process) and scientific-based evidence to recommend practices, which reap the most rewards for the job seeker. I am one to get caught up in the steps, slowing myself down. I also tended to think to broadly about ALL the companies I could work for. The LAMP list method has given me so much focus and increased my stamina for the job search. Dalton also offers countless trouble-shooting sections that cater to unique situations, and this has been so helpful. Ultimately, the 2HJS lays out what are the most impactful, actionable steps you can take to land yourself a job and lays out methods that maximize the time you spent. This book has eliminated so much of the stress I have had about the job search, it has helped me connect with people at my top companies, and it has systemized my approach to networking (which was so elusive and challenging to me before). I received this book recommendation from a friend and could not be more grateful!! One of the most impactful professional books I've ever read.

Simplistic language and dialect are easy to follow, yet largely missed by the arguments of academics in this respect.

I have done a lot of internship/job searching over the past several years. This book was recommended by a connection on LinkedIn this last spring and it sounded interesting so I picked up a copy. Little did I know that this was the job searching resource I have been trying to find in the endless Google searches and blog posts I've read! This book is hands-down the most effective, actionable, structured job search guide/advice I have ever found. The structure and strategies in this book take the mystery out of things like "it is important to network" and "follow up is critical"! Personal story: I had a really great internship fall through due to the pandemic (it was with Delta Air Lines and they took a severe blow this year) which meant that I would graduate earlier than I had originally planned - in December of 2020. So I decided to start job searching in earnest so I could be employed when I graduate. I bought this book, read it cover to cover, and then put it's practices and concepts (genuine connection, regular non-awkard follow up, asking for advice to get people bought into me as a person, etc.) into action while hitting all the virtual career fairs I could. I ended up making lots of great connections from which I learned industry knowledge and gained confidence in myself. This meant when it came time for interviews, I was well-practiced and ready to perform well. I did most of my job searching during my last semester of school while taking 13 credits and working as a TA, and the strategies and techniques it teaches fit in my busy schedule without undue stress. I ended up receiving 2 offers for full-time, salaried work where they wanted me to start immediately after graduation. In 2020. TL;DR This book gave me structure, strategy, tactics, and peace of mind during my job search. If you are looking for a job, buy this book.

Purchased this for my 17 year old son who was getting into the world of work. No complaints, and an easy ready for him.

As a career coach for STEM professionals, I notice that many of my clients are pretty process-centric. They like to follow instructions and check boxes. So to them, getting vague advice like "you need to network more" or "reach out to people on LinkedIn for informational interviews" can be panic-inducing. Enter: Steve Dalton's 2-Hour Job Search. Steve lays out, in incredible detail, how to evaluate your needs and then start a structured approach to networking through Informational Meetings - from finding the companies, to finding contacts, to reaching out to these contacts, to researching for the Informational Meeting, to the meeting itself and the FollowUp. And, you'll never be sitting around agonizing about when to send a follow-up email to a potential contact because, yep, Steve has a method for that as well! It is obvious that he has taught this method many times at the university level, because his instructions are clear and his explanations are relevant. He knows every place were people might want to short-cut his program steps, and he has examples of what happens when they do. I use this program to coach my clients who get overwhelmed easily because it is broken down into clear steps. And for visual learners, Steve includes flow charts to summarize the process. For those of you who like outlines, Steve supplies those at the end of his book as well. I found that having the digital version of this book was more useful to me because it's easily searchable. I do have a hardcopy as well, though, full of tabs and dog-eared pages. If you are comfortable with a spreadsheet, google searching, job-search websites and LinkedIn, you have the skills to use Steve's methods.

Dalton's "The 2-Hour Job Search" offers a refreshingly systematic approach to the often overwhelming task of job hunting. The second edition builds upon the original's time-saving strategies while introducing valuable new content, particularly in its expanded questions and answers sections to troubleshoot and motivate that monkey mind. Dalton's method, centered around the LAMP (List, Advocacy, Motivation, Posting) framework, provides job seekers with a clear, actionable plan to efficiently identify and pursue promising opportunities. The book's strength lies in its ability to demystify networking and transform it into a manageable process. The second edition's enhanced Q&A sections are particularly beneficial, addressing common concerns and scenarios job seekers frequently encounter. These sections offer practical solutions to challenges such as dealing with unresponsive contacts, navigating applicant tracking systems, and adapting the method for different career stages or industries. While the two-hour timeframe may seem ambitious, Dalton's approach effectively prioritizes efforts and eliminates time-wasting activities. The book's step-by-step guidance, coupled with its newly expanded troubleshooting sections, makes it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to streamline their job search and increase their chances of landing interviews in today's flooded applications portals world.

This book is filled with rather unconventional, but I think good ideas. The problem is that it is VERY poorly written. Way too many asides and his sentences are almost all over long. I'm critical of a writer who uses twenty words to say what someone else could say in ten. This book says in FIFTY words what could be said in ten. We need to learn about cortisol and stress in a book about finding a job? Every sentence has to contain multiple clauses? Where was the editor? I'm finding myself reading the book over several times and taking notes. At the end of the day this could be 50 pages rather than 200+.