A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers

This has been an invaluable resource for me and for my husband during his job search. I can't believe how difficult the process has been this time around, and I was feeling incredibly discouraged. (Of course, he was, too.)

This book really helped us both start to feel hope again, and it also offered extremely practical and useful advice for getting through periods of unemployment, finding a career counselor, discovering personal skills and preferences, networking, interviewing, negotiating a salary and better benefits, among so many other things.

The book also has a pretty extensive Myers Briggs-type personality exercise (the Flower Petal exercise) that helps you figure out what jobs you like doing, who you like to work with, where you like to work, the salary you want, and what your overall mission or goal in life is.

Some examples of good bits of advice and insight:

***There is no such thing as one big category of "employers." They are all unique. And the process of finding a job--and especially the process of interviewing--is such a subjective experience. Sometimes it just won't make sense. Sometimes you will do everything right, but the interviewer may not like you. You just have to find that employer that you "click" with--and don't feel bad when you don't click with someone you interviewed with; it happens.

***Always, always write a thank-you note. This is advice we've all heard before, but I couldn't believe how much of a difference this one small act made.

***Employers are primarily concerned about risk. They worry that you don't really have the skills the job requires. Or they worry you will quit too soon, and they will lose money on you. Or they worry you will make them look stupid to THEIR supervisors. Or they worry you will cause office drama. And the list goes on. The point is, employers have anxieties, too--and you help yourself if you acknowledge these anxieties exist and then do what you can to reassure the interviewer that you will be the solid, dependable employee who makes your boss look good.

***It's important to notice the time frame of the questions you are asked in an interview. If the interviewer starts asking you questions about the present or immediate future (What kind of job are you looking for? Where do you see yourself five years from now? When can you start?), you can assume the interview is going well for you.

***Good questions to ask during your interview: What characterizes the most successful employees in this company? What significant changes has this company gone through in the past five years? Who do you see as your allies, colleagues, or competitors?

Overall, this is a magnificent book with so much good advice. I can't recommend it highly enough.

You would hope that a qualifier in an interrogative title would imply that a method for figuring out what job you are suited to and should therefore look for would be the central theme of the book.

It is not.

And the author is right - I do not expect, nor have I any use for, a chapter on religion in a book about job hunting.

One of the important skills one should have in our modern society is the ability to look and be successful in getting a job. Unfortunately, many of us are not well-equipped nor skilled enough to navigate our way around the job market. Moreover some of us are intentionally or unintentionally misinformed by others on how we should go about the transition in between jobs. We are getting multitude of answers and finally get a job only to find out that we are not satisfied; then the cycle starts again.

But good news! There is a book that can help us not just only to get a job but find ourselves as well. What Color Is Your Parachute? 2015 by Richard N. Bolles gives us an insightful view of what is happening in the current job market. This book is updated yearly so you can be sure that the information is always fresh and most of the time relevant. If you are not looking for a job, you can still benefit by gaining the knowledge of what you really want to do. As a result of this you may begin to question your existence in your current role and find yourself a more fulfilling place work for.

Here are just several of the reasons why you should consider reading this book:
1. If you want to get an understanding of why there are still so many unemployed people while employers are still finding it hard to fill in their vacancies, this book will enlighten us.
2. You will get a better understanding of your situation. You will realize that not every employer will like you, but there are several or many employers who are looking for someone who is exactly like you. Your task is to look for them.
3. It will teach you that just using your resume and sending it to different employers is not the most effective way to get an invitation for an interview.
4. This book will guide you to understand who you really are.
5. Written in a very engaging style, this book will make you feel like you are with a sage who will guide you all the way to your successful job hunting.

This book is primarily recommended for the following:
1. Job hunters
2. Those who have friends or family members who are looking for jobs
3. Career coach or counselors
4. Anyone who wants to understand themselves better

Just another tip: This book demands a lot from its reader. For you to get the full benefit from this book, you've got to do the exercises, particularly the Flower Exercise. These exercises will really help you a lot.

"What Color is Your Parachute?" is a great resource for job-hunters and career-changers that is updated annually. This 2015 edition includes a new section for veterans. It explains how the job market has changed since the recession in 2008, what employers now often look for, how popular resumes now are, and common ways people find jobs in today's day and age. It also explains how some of the "old fashioned" ways of receiving jobs are still helpful, such as sending a thank you note to people you come in contact with on the day of your interview.

My favorite part of the book was about the "handicap" of shyness. Some people have a hard time receiving a job if they are shy and/or quiet people, while others find employers who don't mind if they are shy and/or quiet. I also liked the "Everyone is Handicapped" section, which explains that everyone cannot do everything; people both have strengths and weaknesses that other people don't have.

I found it interesting to learn that employers are hiring people who dream of doing the jobs they have available. Also, employers are hiring part-time employees often these days because they cannot afford to give benefits. That makes sense to me because it has been easier for me to find part-time work than full-time work since 2008.

I am pretty sure I read this book as part of my course work in business school about 19 years ago. I kept the book (it is the 1994 edition) because I remember it being helpful back then. I have found that this 2015 edition has been so helpful also and it has given me much encouragement to keep striving to find my dream job that combines all or most of my schooling and my part-time mini-dream work assignments over the last 10 years.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I actually threw this book across the room. But that's how the story ends. Let's start at the beginning...

I checked out this book at the library. I think we can all agree that going to a library to get a book on how to get a job is one of the saddest things a person can do. It's definitely one of the saddest things a previously-happily-and-gainfully-employed person can do. It pretty much says 'hi, I need help, and I can't even afford the $18 to get it'.

So I have the library book. I'm all excited. I come home and open to the table of contents, and determine that Chapter 6 is where I want to begin. Because Chapter 6 is titled 'What to Do When Your Job Search Just Isn't Working'. Four months in, that's where I am.

Chapter 6 is very short. It can be summarized thus: all of the ways that aren't 'The Parachute Way' do not work.

Fantastic. That's helpful. So what's 'The Parachute Way'? It involves filling out a little self-evaluatory venn-diagram-esque flower. You know, to figure out your life's passion.

Sadly, I already know my life's passion. I just want someone to let me do it.

Lest you think that I only read chapter six, I can assure you I did not. I spent all evening last night and determined that no, I'm not going to 'comb the Yellow Pages' looking for work (it's 2015, people!) No, I'm not going to show up at the union hall (I have a graduate degree and over a decade of professional experience.) But it's ok, because if all else fails, the last part of the book is about 'How do Deal with Your Emotions' (which, given the tone of this review, I clearly have). The answer? Trust in God.

Deep sigh.

An entirely not-helpful, outdated book. Save your money. I'm glad I did (she writes, on her way back to return this book to the library for some other poor soul to borrow.) I've given it two stars because the interview tips could be helpful to some (one star) and if you really don't know what you want to do with your life (who are these people?), perhaps the flower activity would be insightful (one star).

What Color Is Your Parachute? 2015: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers is exactly what it purports to be: a tool for identifying your passions, transferrable skills, areas of interest, etc.

I read the 2007 edition right before moving to Seattle (and in fact, it was the impetus for that move and dramatic career shift). It was helpful in the self-reflection exercises, but of course the recession of 2008 changed the entire job marketplace, so "known things" quickly became outdated.

I was pleased to see that this 2015 edition addresses those changes, such as the majority of us employable adults going through several career and industry shifts in our lifetime, now. It was more than just "this is how you network". And although most of it is common sense, the logical layout of this book makes career changing seem less daunting.

I'd say it's got two major strengths:
A) The written exercises. If you do nothing else with this book, fill out all the prompts, and do the organization/graphing exercises. It WILL help you identify your strengths and interests, speaking directly to what industry you want AND how to write your resume and cover letters
B) The advice on research. It's so tempting to skip this and be lazy, but the concept of reaching out and asking questions and taking the time to really research a company and/or position is invaluable. And easier than you'd think, with tools like LinkedIn letting us see how many connections we are from our dream jobs, at any given moment.

The only weakness is that it sometimes drags on a bit- but it's geared to be useful for first-time job seekers as well as veterans of the job market, so that's unsurprising.

I highly recommend it for anyone job hunting (career change, or not). Even if you know yourself backward and forward, it will help you tighten your resume, cover letter, and interview language. And that can make all the difference in getting hired.

In this all-time favorite guide to job-hunting, Richard N. Bolles asks you to consider what skills you would most love to use, where you would want to use them, and, how you would go about finding such places. As times and technology change, the answers to the latter change too, which is why this book sees annual updates and revisions.

For example, when the first edition came out in 1972, personnel offices, personal connections, and job placement agencies helped most people to get a job. Today, “It’s a Whole New World for Job-Hunters” as the title of the first chapter says and explains before closing on this note:

“He or she who gets hired is not necessarily the one who can do that job best; but, the one who knows the most about how to get hired.”

This book then shows you how to go about the job of getting a job that’s a good fit for you.

Having seen and enjoyed an earlier edition, I requested the most current copy from Blogging For Books in return for a true review. Since I don’t like to give less than 4 stars for any book, I generally request review copies of books I’m already sure I’ll like.

Once again, the thoroughness of the suggestions in this 2015 edition and “The Blue Pages” with their special inserts, such as the one for vets, are most impressive. What surprised me, however, was the section on “Finding Your Mission in Life,” which is most likely what our deepest search is about, and, Lord willing, one that pays!

“What Color is Your Parachute” is a continuing favorite in the job-seeker’s market. Honestly, I have not read or looked at previous editions, so I cannot comment on how this edition compares, or what updates may have been made. I can tell you, however, that this title is an excellent resource for those who are job searching, especially if it has been some time since they have been in the market. The main goal of this book is to assist the job seeker with necessary skills and reasonable expectations for the job hunting process.

A large portion of the book is devoted to self-reflection. Who are you, really? What are you looking for in a job? What skills to you possess today? What skills could you easily acquire? What is your dream job? If your dream job is not a possibility, is there a similar job that you do have the skills for? I know that for someone who wants a job TODAY, this process might seem like a waste of time and energy, but it’s my opinion that taking the time to really think about these things will actually open doors to new possibilities.

On a personal note, I was happy to see Appendix A. Appendix A is entitled “Finding Your Mission In Life” and deals with discovering God’s plan for your life. It is written in a very non-denominational way, so non-denominational that quite conservative readers might find it ‘new age-y’. This section is 22 pages long, and is included in the back of the so if you are someone who is offended by any mention of faith, you can easily just skip this portion of the book.

I was provided a free copy of this book by bloggingforbooks in exchange for an unbiased review.

"What Color is Your Parachute?" by Richard N. Bolles is practical, relevant, uplifting, and all but essential for today's job seekers. The wealth of data, trends, and the current employment landscape is reason enough to give this book a look, but it's the abundance of job-hunting strategies and introspective assessments of one's preferred workplace that put it into an elite category few books reach.

Like all self-help books, "Parachute" is only effective if its readers take action. Absorbing Mr. Bolles' suggestions gives readers the foundation necessary for building themselves into employable commodities. This is a workbook and the work has to be done for the book to be effective. No magic diet pills here; just a detailed collection of strategies to find a job.

But it's not really about finding A job; it's about finding THE job. A large portion of the book focuses on self-assessment of abilities and desires so job-seekers can focus their search on career areas for which they are ideally suited.

Really, I can't say enough good things about this book, and it's feeble to even try in a short review. If you are unemployed or employed in the wrong field, this book is more than worth its cover price.

* I received this book as part of the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this honest review. *

Since 1970, this has been the most comprehensive book on job hunting advice you'll find. This classic book has been revised and updated nearly every year in order to stay relevant with the changing job market, economy and technology tools that are available. The 2015 version of the book includes some smart ideas on how "Google is (and can be) your new resume ". For those who are less internet savvy, the book contains good advice about Linked In, Twitter, Blogging and other ideas to expand your presence online. You'll learn about good tips for interviews, building resumes, how to understand your strengths and how to deal with any handicaps you have. There's even advice on how to change careers, how to start your own business and a new section for veterans seeking a job. All in all, a great book full of practical advice that nearly anybody could benefit from when seeking a job.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random House through the Blogging For Books program in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Moving across the country from Atlanta, Georgia to Silicon Valley, California, it was a lot tougher than expected to find a job. After being hit by waves of depression and self-doubt, I reached out for help anywhere I could find it. Talking with professionals in the business, speaking with career counselors from school, and reading up every feel good article on LinkedIn.

I honestly wasn't planning to get the book, because I was exhausted from reading any and everything about how to find a job and get past the "You seem good, but have no experience" quandary. But, as I passed it in the library, I figured I was desperate enough, another reading won't hurt.

Once I started with "Parachute", I slowed on reading other articles and focused solely on getting through "Parachute". It breaks down why in our post-2008 society, applying online alone is not sufficient. Then Bolles dives into how the problem can be overcome. This is the best part of the book because it changes the focus from just finding that next job to defining your career and life steps.

The exercises are truly powerful and will yield in an artifact that should positively impact the remainder of your career. Doing the exercises is a must if you want the full power of "Parachute". The most amazing thing about doing the exercises is learning about yourself - taking those random thoughts, preferences, dreams, and turning them into actionable items that you can pursue. Not just for a paycheck, but for happiness.

To illustrate how powerful the book is, I received and accepted a job offer when I only had 1 of the exercises done. Although the " hunt" had been done this time, I was compelled to finish the remaining petals just for my information. Now, I have a road map of exactly what I like and where to take my skills in the future for my best and happiest me.

Bottom line, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a job, career change, or just lost as far as next steps of their career/life.