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My Top 12 Books for those seeking
a Career Change
My approach to career coaching is to take a holistic approach helping
clients to consider their values, strengths and skills (personal and
professional), what motivates them, their passions, and what they want
from their work and their life before moving on to looking at
the practical options and career paths open to them. You will not be
surprised therefore that many of the books listed below take a similar
approach.
I have also included a few more traditional job-hunting manuals offering
advice on CV-writing, interviews and the practicalities of becoming
self-employed. Finally, as many people wish to make a career change
in order to have more control over their lives and/or to achieve better
work/life balance, I have also added a couple of books which address
these themes.
If
you enjoy my recommendations, or if your favourite book does not
appear on my list, then do drop me a line.I
can be contacted at hilary.pathway@ntlworld.com.
1. "The
Work We Were Born To Do", Nick Williams (Paperback,
Element Books, 2000) - not a typical career guide but
a rich resource offering both an inspiring and spiritual
exploration of how to discover your authentic life
purpose AND a practical handbook on how to find more
creativity,
integrity, fulfilment and fun in your work
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2. "What
Color is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job Hunters
and Career Changers", Richard N. Bolles (Paperback,
Ten Speed Press, 2005) – a classic guide to career choice
and job hunting which its author updates every year.
Its US focus and ‘folksy’ style won’t suit everyone – nevertheless
it contains plenty of excellent material and earns its
bestseller status
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3. Build
Your Own Rainbow", Barrie Hopson and Mike
Scally (Paperback, Management Books 2000) – a practical
book with lots of structured exercises to help you find
a fulfilling career through analysing your values, interests
and skills.
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4. "Where’s
My Oasis?" Rowan Manahan (Paperback,
Vermillion, 2004) – a well-written holistic and comprehensive
guide to changing your job that starts by looking at
your goals, needs and strengths before moving on to the
more practical side of job hunting. Suitable for those
looking to move up as well as those wishing to move on.
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5. "Should
I Stay or Should I Go? How To Make That Crucial Job Move
Decision", Jim Bright (Paperback, Prentice
Hall, 2003) – for those at career crossroads. This book
offers lots of practical examples and handy checklists
to help you work out your career options and make the
decision that’s right for you.
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| 6. "What
Should I Do With My Life?" Po Bronson (Paperback,
Vintage, 2004) – contains 50 real-life case studies of
people who asked themselves this question. A fascinating
account of how things turned out for these 50 people who
uprooted their lives and followed their dreams
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| 7. "The
E-Myth Re-Visited", Michael E. Gerber (Paperback,
Harper Collins, 1994) – essential reading for those thinking
of leaving full-time employment and becoming self-employed
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| 8. "Great
Answers to Tough Interview Questions", Martin
John Yate (Paperback, Kogan Page Ltd, 2005) – a classic
and still worth a look
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| 9. "Killer
CVs and Hidden Approaches: Give Yourself an Unfair Advantage
in the Executive Job Market", Graham Perkins (Paperback,
Financial Times Prentice Hall, 2000) – written by a former
executive search and selection consultant this book covers
all aspects of job hunting including CV writing, using
the internet, social networking, preparation for interview
and how to get the most from headhunters and recruitment
consultants
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| 10. "Brilliant
CV: What Employers Want to See and How to Say It",
Jim Bright and Joanne Earl (Paperback, Prentice Hall,
2005) – well-researched and user-friendly, this highly
practical book deserves its place as the number one CV
book in the UK
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| 11. "Get
Everything Done and Still Have Time to Play",
Mark Forster (Paperback, Help Yourself, 2000) – if
your work/life balance needs attention yet you can’t address
it because you feel overwhelmed by all the things you need
to get done, then reading this sensible little book is
a great place to start.
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| 12. "Wishcraft",
Barbara Sher and Annie Gottlieb (Paperback, Ballantine
Books, 1979) – this slim volume offers an inspiring and practical
guide to getting what you want from life
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tel:
01189 612715
