| |
| |
|
Book Reviews Information presented by BookClubReview |
|
|
|
Book Review: What Color Is Your Parachute?
What Color is Your Parachute? Finding a job today presents unique challenges that did not exist five years ago. That is why Richard Nelson Bolles' acclaimed job hunter's bible, " What Color is Your Parachute?" is so relevant. Taking into consideration the impact of the terrorist attacks of September 21, 2001, the subsequent NASDAQ meltdown, and the globalization of the world's economy, Bolles' guide encourages the reader to implement time tested as well as new strategies in finding meaningful employment. With a subtitle of, "A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers", Parachute emphasizes the necessity of finding one's "mission" in life in order to obtain meaningful employment. Not to be content with simply drawing a paycheck, Bolles encourages the reader to uncover those areas of personal interest that can be translated into a rewarding as well as relevant career. For example, if you have been a secretary and you also love to write about animals, maybe your desire is to become a contributor to nature magazines instead. Bolles lists several reasons why a job search might include a change in career. Some key components to consider when deciding a change are: ∙ We made a bad choice when we first chose our career, and now we've decided to set it right. ∙ We've been asked to do the work of three, and we feel stressed out, angry, exhausted, burnt out, and grumpy? ∙ We've decided we want to go into business for ourselves. ∙ All we wanted in the past for a job was money, now we want a job that has meaning? In addition, Bolles persuades the job searcher to not rely exclusively on old strategies for finding work, i.e., sending out résumés and waiting for a response, but to utilize what he has determined to be some of the more successful and proactive strategies including: ∙ Directly targeting those companies you desire to work for. ∙ Join a job hunter's group to share leads, receive and give encouragement, to fine tune your résumé and search, etc. ∙ Discipline yourself to make phone calls to companies [determine who has hiring authority and avoid the Human Resources department as they exist solely to screen you out!] ∙ When sending an e-mail résumé, follow it up with a hard copy and cover letter, followed by a telephone call the next week to the contact person. Concerning job hunting methods, Parachute contains one notable surprise. In his very detailed research Bolles reveals that the Internet, with all of its job search capabilities, may actually provide the least successful method in finding work. Too often, Bolles alledges, job seekers rely exclusively on job boards to post their résumé to and then they wait for their employer of choice to call them about an open position. Unfortunately, according to Bolles, the internet alone only offers a 4% success rate in finding a job when it is used as the exclusive job search method. Bolles also guides the reader through the process of starting a business instead of working for an employer; shares interviewing tips for smarties; lists the seven secrets of salary negotiation; and discloses the secret of finding your dream job. Bolles folksy and friendly writing style has endeared himself to over seven million readers since the initial publishing of Parachute in 1970. Revised annually, I recommend you read the latest version of his book as it speaks to the current nature of the job market. Finally, Bolles has a companion web site called the Job Hunter's Bible [http://www.jobhuntersbible.com]. The site contains a collection of articles written by Bolles and other experts. Overall, Parachute is an informative and even fun book to read. The reader may want to skip around the different chapters instead of reading the book straight through as it is reads more like a guide, not a novel. Combined together,the two resources should go far in helping the job seeker in his or her quest for their "dream job." Matt is the administrator of the Aviation Employment Board at http://www.aviationemploymentboard.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Book-Reviews - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Giving Feedback or Writing Reviews of Bad Stuff Some book reviewers say that when they don't like a book, they simply don't review it. I'd love to take the easy way out, but when I think about it from a reader's perspective? I want to know when a book sucks. Book Summary: First, Break All The Rules Based on a mammoth research study conducted by the Gallup Organization involving 80,000 managers across different industries, this book explores the challenge of many companies - attaining, keeping and measuring employee satisfaction. Discover how great managers attract, hire, focus, and keep their most talented employees!Key Ideas:1. Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life - AchieveMax® Top Ten Book Review Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life is another book focusing on the obvious. We've heard it all before. My Dad Wears Polka-dotted Socks! - Review "Bright colored sheets just inside the sturdy book cover certainly set the mood for this excellent book geared for children between the ages of 4 and 8.The main character is a young boy who is desperately fretting over the class reaction to his strange family. Workshop-In-A-Book® for Dating Again, A Must-Read EBOOK The Joy Of Dating Again is designed to be a do-it- yourself workshop. This book features 21 self-empowering keys. Story Structure - Three Heroes Three Heroes Story Structure follows the Hero's Journey mould but distinguishes itself by making both the hero and the shape shifter both likeable and deserving of the final prize.The Classic Hero's Journey also makes the shape shifter likeable and deserving of the prize but in Three Heroes, we get more of the Shape Shifter's back-story and surprisingly little of the Hero's. Empowering Teenagers - A Few Clues About Teens And A New Book EMPOWERING TEENAGERSFrom a new book: "Adolescence is a difficult period, both for the emerging adult and for those around him/her. Intellectual growth, sexual awareness, quantum physical growth and the need for increasing independence are all natural and expected patterns. Book Review - As the Darkness Deepens by Michael Cale Newton's Third Law of Motions states that "For ever action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." Michael Cale's latest novel, As the Darkness Deepens, is an interesting study in this universal law as it relates to the forces of good and evil. Dragon Tales - Book Review Dragon Tales by Mary C. Fairbanks is truly and entertaining book, chock full of twenty-four dragon stories. The Leadership Pill - AchieveMax® Top Ten Book Review The Leadership Pill is another volume for those of you anxious to add to your library of "mini-books." Ken Blanchard, a veritable self-help book-writing machine, partners with co-author Marc Muchnick to create this 112-page parable that every leader will want to read and share with those he/she mentors. The 18 Immutable Laws of Corporate Reputation - A Book Summary Everything an individual or company does or produces contributes to its reputation. Reputation is an intangible asset, but a very important one. Unspoken Dreams - Book Review "Carol Bennett writes a stunning mystery-thriller. Her chilling entrance is one I have encountered only rarely in a book. The Road of Silk: Book Review "The Road of Silk is an adventure fantasy, with mystical and magical elements and a high energy feel to it that any reader will enjoy. Although this novel is written for an adult audience, I believe anyone over the age of 10 could easily become immersed in its pages. Amapola - Book Review Alan Heywood writes a stimulating, though sometimes improbable, adventure novel in Amapola. What I mean by this is that the characters are seemingly very lucky or were simply at the right place, at the right time. Her Backyard: Book Review Her Backyard by Doreen Lewis is an adventure, romance novel that depicts a career woman in the middle of self-discovery. It is about making choices that may not be so easy to make and complex relationships between co-workers, siblings and friends. Second Eden Book Review "Carlton Austin has crafted a wonderful piece of work in Second Eden - an action-packed suspense thriller with a little romance and some elements of science fiction. Its beautifully designed cover incorporates gorgeous images depicting scenes within the plot and the book is available in both hard and soft cover. Book Summary: Networking For Professional Success Book Summary:This article is based on the following book: Effective Networking for Professional Success: "How to Make the Most of Your Personal Contacts" by Rupert Hart, Stirling Books, 1997 ISBN 0 949 142 09 3 125 pagesWe are all "self-employed" now.Today there is absolutely no job security. Critical Condition: How Health Care In America Became Big Business-And Bad Medicine: Title: Critical Condition: How Health Care In America Became Big Business-And Bad Medicine:Authors: Donald L. Barlett and James B. HIV-Muscles: This is the Title of a New Book about One Mans Battle with HIV Today Lavaine is doing well and able to go about life in a manner which would never have been thought possible in 1986. This was the year which he was diagnosed as HIV+. Los Angeles City Re-writes Free Car Wash Fundraiser E-Book The City of Los Angeles Storm Water Program has recently re-written the Detail Guy's Founder's Car Wash Fundraiser book to promote non-polluting fundraising events. The run-off from car wash fundraisers can hurt the environment with all those soapy suds.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
