‘Dude, Where’s my Career? The Guide for Baffled Graduates’ has sold thousands of copies since it came on June 2008.
Often named Amazon’s number one graduate careers guide, it regularly out-sells similar (but less good) offerings from the Guardian, the Times, Virgin and various crusty old careers experts. Not bad for a niche careers guide from a first-time author with a small publisher (with an even smaller advertising budget).
It turns out that lots of nice people are saying nice things about Dude – and its author, Tanya de Grunwald. Who are they?
THE PRESS
Stone the crows – Dude has thawed the tiny frozen hearts of a bunch of hardened hacks. Of course, we jest. Good journalists, we know you don’t lend your names to any old rubbish – and we thank you sincerely for your kind support.
‘A cheerful companion on the road to finding the right job’
Ian Wylie, Editor,
The Guardian’s Graduate section
‘Should be mandatory reading for anyone about to tackle the job market for the first time. Tanya applies her trademark wit and humour to a subject crying out for a fresh approach. Brilliant.’ Jo Elvin, Editor, Glamour magazine
‘Answers all the stuff you’re probably too embarrassed to ask. An essential careers guide.’
Andy Sharman, Education and Careers, The Independent
‘Career paracetamol for anyone suffering the post-graduation hangover. Dude, where’s my copy?’
Kerry Eustace, guardianjobs.co.uk
Dude Where’s my Career? has also featured in:
the Guardian
the Times
the Independent
thelondonpaper
the Guardian again
the Sunday Telegraph
the Scotsman
the Bookseller
Publishing News
… as well as graduate magazines GradJobs and Real World.
Tanya has also been filmed for a Guardian video (1,662 views, at last count!) and contributed live on-air on Talk 107 Edinburgh and Oxford’s FM107.9.
THE READERS
Got a chunder-bucket handy? You’ll need it because… it’s the feedback from Dude’s readers that keeps Tanya battling for your cause – and defending your right to be miffed about the situation you’re in now. Tanya doesn’t recognise the media stereotype of the arrogant graduate who expects life on a plate – you are shocked, unprepared and struggling to make sense of what’s turned out to be a really tough time. And those of you who have managed to keep your sense of humour really make her chuckle. So please, keep ‘em coming. Here are just a handful of the hundreds of lovely emails you’ve sent Tanya:
“Your book helped me get the job I’m in now! So much careers advice out there seems inaccessible, daunting and confusingly contradictory. Thank you so much for writing this book – it’s a total lifesaver!” Roxane Farley
“Thanks so much for the advice – it really helped focus my job search and networking strategies. My careers service just scared and baffled me. Thank you again for you help – I genuinely wouldn’t have got a job in journalism without it!” Rose Hamada
“I just wanted to send you a quick e-mail to say thank you for writing this book! It’s been so helpful and has definitely given me a much more focused idea of what to go for and how to go about it! I have since recommended it to several friends, something I rarely do!” Emma Cossey
“Dude is by far the most useful graduate careers resource around. Like most grads, I expected job hunting to be as straightforward as applying to university – send off a few applications and wait for the replies. Finding out the hard way left me confused, offended and surprised. Why weren’t graduate employers fighting to recruit me?! Dude taught me to adjust my mindset. With a more flexible, realistic approach to the working world, everything became easier. I found some direction and my motivation and drive returned. In short, this book saved me from graduate job hunting hell!” Chris Fitzsimons
“When graduates are faced with so many choices – and none of them appealing! – it’s crazy that it’s so hard to find frank, honest advice. Nobody else seems willing to tell it like it is! I have been spreading the word on how good your new book is like nobody’s business – because truly, Dude? has been amazing in lifting my spirits throughout what has been an incredibly difficult and depressing job hunt. I am now much clearer on where I should be concentrating my efforts and have stopped wasting my energy on strategies that weren’t working. Thank you for making me stop and think this through properly before pressing ahead blindly. You’ve saved me a lot of time, money and heartache!” Karenate Songhoron
“Dude Where’s My Career? is a must-have for every graduate on their first step into the world of work. It did what careers departments and websites don’t – it made me find professional value in myself, whatever experience I had. It’s a fantastic resource and the fact that it supports graduates by reassuring us it’s ok not to have your career plans worked out day after graduation is the best thing any new graduate could hear. A big thank you to DWMC for helping me out so much!” Houmi Miura
“Until the government and universities wake up to the realities of how the graduate job market and the value of a degree have changed, all Tanya’s advice is so precious to graduates. I read Dude? from cover to cover twice and then kept coming back to it to keep my spirits up. It addresses something that other books fail to mention – how the search for work makes you feel. How constant rejection leaves you demotivated and how to mentally overcome those feelings, keep fighting and actively searching for those hidden opportunities. This book changed the way I looked at my situation and made me realise that my future is in my hands.” Marcia Liddle
Want more reader reviews? Find more testimonials on Amazon.
THE RECRUITERS
The people-who-hire-people have been similarly generous in their support for Dude. Unexpectedly, they have been a source of huge encouragement for Tanya’s work, since they also occupy the eerie no-man’s-land between universities and employers. Below are some kind words from our biggest fans in the business of hiring people like you. Again – many thanks, folks.
‘An excellent guide – perfect for today’s graduate seeking inspiration and direction.’
Carl Gilleard, Chief Executive,
Association of Graduate Recruiters
‘Tanya is inspired to help the graduates of today find their career path. Her tips and advice from the working world provide some great insights on getting ahead.”
James Uffindell, CEO and founder of Bright
“Tanya is on a mission to give graduates a head start in an increasingly competitive job market. Her passion for her subject and natural skills in journalism combine to bring a fresh perspective on careers advice and guidance to Gen Y graduate job seekers.” Dan Hawes, Co-Founder of GRB
“Tanya’s book and advice provide a mine of useful hints and tips to help graduates into their first job.”
James Callander,
Managing Director of FreshMinds Talent
Impressed enough to dig your wallet out? Click here to buy the book now.
