This book is a compilation of inspirational anecdotes, powerful insights and practical strategies for people who are entrusted with the task of helping others find their way into employment. (Read Denise's "Tribute" to Job Developers)

Since it was published, it has become widely-known as the "Job Developer's Bible". Highly readable and entertaining, this book is a gold mine of invaluable ideas and strategies to catapult job developers from scarcity to abundance and from discouragement to empowerment and career satisfaction.

Beyond Traditional Job Development challenges conventional wisdom about the current job market by asserting the philosophy and practice of "entrepreneurial" job development.

In a profession that sadly lacks academic training and professional development opportunities, this outstanding book is not only a guide through uncharted waters, it is a stimulating introduction to the excitement and challenge of the profession. We've met many job developers, throughout North America who brandish frayed and battered copies of this book - declaring that has been their constant source of both inspiration and guidance.

If you never read another book on job development... make sure you read this one. You will never look at your job the same way!

Also available in audio format! Beyond Traditional Job Development is also available on a set of six one-hour cassette tapes. Covering all of material in the text, Denise adds her unique passion and enthusiasm to this audio version of her book. (See below for pricing.)

Beyond Traditional Job Development Contents:

Click here to read Denise's Preface to the Text

1. RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

• Nine Realities Shaping Our Work

• Eight Characteristics Of The Entrepreneurial Job Developer
• Application: An Assessment Of Right Livelihood

2. QUESTIONING CONVENTION: NEW PARADIGMS IN JOB DEVELOPMENT

• The Power of Paradigm
• Examining Nine Popular Beliefs
• Summary Of Paradigm Differences
• Application: Paradigm Choices

3. CREATING JOBS WITH EMPLOYMENT PROPOSALS

• Approaching An Employer With A Proposal
• Two Kinds Of Job Creation
  • Applicant-Focused: The Two-Step Process
  • Employer-Focused: Six Signposts To New Jobs
• Writing Employment Proposals
• Sample Proposals
• Summary Of Ideas On Job Creation
• Application: Identifying Opportunities In Your Community

4. CAPITALIZING ON BUSINESS AND SOCIAL TRENDS

• Five Pivotal Forces Shaping The Business World
• Trend Tracking
  • Ten Social Trends And Problems
• Application: Translating Trends Into Job Opportunities

5. DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS WITH EMPLOYERS

• The Partnership Perspective
  • Putting Purpose First
  • Embracing The Role Of Consultant
  • Cultivating An Equal Exchange of Resources
• PartnerShips: Happy Sailing
• Resources And Opportunities For Partnerships
• Distinguishing Features Of The Partnership Paradigm
• Application: Developing A Partnership Profile

6. TARGETING NEW EMPLOYERS

• Accessing The Hidden Job Market: Questions, Answers And A Parable

• Twelve Ideas For Expanding Your Employer Base

• Utilizing Key Resource Guides

• Application: Accessing Your Hidden Job Market

7. INITIATING CONTACT WITH EMPLOYERS

• Summary Of Avenues For Making Contact
  • Approaches and Purposes
• Approaching Employers By Telephone
  • Introductory Calls Vs. Cold Calls
  • Working Effectively With Receptionists
  • Responses To Common Replies
• Eleven Ways To Introduce Your Services To Employers
• A Dozen Terribly Important Telephone Tips
• Takin’ It To The Streets - Live and In-Person
  • Approaches For Making In-Person Contact
  • Ten Tremendous Tips For Street Smarts
• Application: Expanding The Colors On Your Palette

8. UNDERSTANDING EMPLOYER NEEDS

• Employer Considerations
• Employer Assessment
• Listening To Employer Responses: The Search For Meaning
• Employer Decisions
  • The Employer’s “Bottom Line(s)”
• Summary Of Key Ideas About Understanding Employer Needs
• Application: Creating An Employer Assessment

9. COMMUNICATING WITH EMPLOYERS: LANGUAGE AS ART

• Eighteen Ideas For Fine-Tuning Your Presentation
• Responding to Four Employer Styles
• Important Things To Remember
• Application: Fine-Tuning Your Presentation

10. RESOLVING EMPLOYER CONCERNS

• Building The Bridge: Seven Groundrules
• Crossing The River: Eight Strategies
• Responses To Twenty-Five Employer Concerns
• Enhancing Employer Trust
• Employer Concerns: Obstacles Or Opportunities
• Summary of Key Ideas: Concerns As Opportunities, Not Obstacles
• Application: Preparing For Employer Concerns

11. PROVIDING QUALITY SERVICE TO EMPLOYERS

• Valuing Employers
• Going The Extra Mile
  • Ideas for Delivering Quality Service
  • Ongoing Communication With Employers
  • Assessment and Referral
  • Pre and Post Job Interview Practices
  • Education, Training and Special Events
  • Job Coaching and Supported Employment
  • Post Placement and Follow-Up
  • Maintaining Contact With Employers
• Inviting and Responding to Employer Feedback
  • By Telephone
  • Using a Survey
• Falling Coconuts and Other Unexpected Feedback
• Why Angels Fly and Other Thoughts for a Bumpy Road
• Dissecting The Coconut
  • Dealing With Employer Dissatisfaction
• Summary of Things to Remember
• Distinguishing Features of Quality Service
• Application: Going the Extra Mile to Service Employers

Praise for Beyond Traditional Job Development

"This book is a feast of fresh ideas! I shared some of them with a fellow job developer who now reports that everyone in his company thinks he has 'magic'. This revolutionary book gives us new ways to achieve our placement goals."
- Carolyn Thompson, CBT Training Systems, Inc.

"Bissonnette has a dynamic way of presenting job development that challenges the reader to think outside the box. The format, including layout, is logical and readable which makes it easy to grasp the concepts. Information presented in this text is not just the traditional scope of job development, but ventures into the creation of job opportunities. Bissonnette accomplishes this by describing the important components and then giving, in some cases, step-by-step instructions on how to plan and execute the development of these opportunities. The utility of this book goes beyond most "how to" books and is useful for a variety of audiences - from job development professionals to individuals seeking help in creating their own jobs. I've used this book in a course I teach within a master's program
in rehabilitation counseling."
- Hal Cain, Ph.D.

"Bissonnette's book and cassettes are a resource that I use frequently in my role as job developer. Although she targets job-hunters with disabilities, Bissonnette's "employment proposal" can be used by any job-seekers - adults, students, dislocated workers, and career-changers. These approaches are solid, easily implemented, effective, and empowering for my customers; lots of information, ideas, inspiration, and simple, effective strategies to help customers to actually create their jobs by learning how to discover opportunities for employment by analyzing their skills and employers' needs."
- Cindy, Job Developer, ME

"After reviewing this book, I have no question why it is referred to as the 'Job Developer's Bible'. As a Job Developer, I am familiar with the struggles of successful job development and networking with employers. This book sheds a whole new perspective on "entrepreneurial" job development, a great new approach to what I do. This book shares so many insights that are truly priceless for those of us faced with the challenges of job development. I cannot say enough good things about this book. Denise illustrates new approaches and new ways of thinking that are very useful and practical. This is, without a doubt, the most useful tool I have found for successful job development!"
- Recent Review on Half.com