What Color Is Your Parachute? 2008: A Practical Manual for Job-hunters and Career-Changers

List Price: $18.95 Discount Price: $11.66

Customer Reviews:

The Job Hunt Classic [Posted on 2008-06-21]
I first read this book in the 80s, and it just keeps getting better. The one thing, is you must to the exercises in the book and not just read it. They really help. This copy is for my son who is in college right now.

A must read for anyone that wants a job they will love!

Great Resource! [Posted on 2008-06-23]
A definate permanent addition to my library. It really helped me focus on where I want my professional and personal life to intersect.

Excellent starting place for info on job hunting or career changing [Posted on 2008-07-01]
My husband was laid off when the company he had worked for was acquired. My husband has very little experience with job hunting. I work as a Staffing recruiter so none of the information in here was news to me, but after my husband went through a month of disheartening job hunting... I ordered him this book. Sometimes it's just better to hear what you need to do from something or someone other than your wife.

As a recruiter I love this book, it goes into the concept of job hunting, interviewing, and how to decided exactly what it is you want to do. If everyone behaved as instructed in here during their interviews, interviewing candidates would not be such a harrowing experience. Many will read the interviewing part and thing "Duh, of COURSE I shower before an interview" but you would be surprised at how many do not.

The foundation of the education you will get in this book is basic social skills... now we all have them, but many of us have let them lapse or become less formal. I was also glad that he pointed out just how important and unimportant the resume is. I personally rifle through a couple of hundred resumes in a stack looking for something very specific - if I find it, you go in the very small, "I'll think about calling them later" pile. That is really the most important job your resume has, is to get you into the "I might call them pile."

There are also many self awareness tests that this book contains to help you find out a little bit more about yourself and what it is that you are looking for. There is an entire chapter devoted to the 50+ worker who either wants to return to the work force or make a change in their career. The starting your own business section was also nice, but I felt should have contained a little more information showing both the good and bad aspects of this idea. Probably the most helpful aspect of this book is that it provides websites for additional research on every topic. Hopefully those that read the book will be inclined to look into several of these websites.

For job hunters, career changers, and those curious about what else might be out there, this book is an excellent starting place. It should cover most of you basic questions and give you valuable information both about yourself and about the job market. Then the author is courteous enough to show you where to continue your research. I highly recommend this book, and believe it should be mandatory for exiting high school and college students.

A Rock Solid Reference [Posted on 2008-07-14]
The current verson of this reference is highly recommended. It seems like they have kept doing what they do best - helping you think through your career direction, organize your approach to improving that situation, and pointing you in the direction of resources. Get a new copy. It is a great investment.

Not Too Useful [Posted on 2008-07-18]
I don't understand why this book is considered such a classic reference. I found it badly written, not that useful, and WAY too religious. The chapter about how to determine your true mission in life is ALL about God and religion. You may agree or disagree with the author's religious views, but regardless I do not think that belongs in a job-hunting book. As a disillusioned corporate worker trying to change careers, I really needed practical, real-world advice.

The book seems to written for ADD people because it keeps repeating the same things only a couple of pages later. Also, some of his advice I disagree with - he keeps saying that the Internet is not a good way to get a job. What century is he living in?? I have gotten almost all my jobs over the last 12 years through applying over the Internet (Monster, CareerBuilder, etc.)

It has a few listings of sites that may be useful, but the book overall was a waste. Unless you want to bring it to your Bible study group.

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