Published on Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008
Self-help career and employment books are flooding the market. They tell you everything under the sun and then some more – right from how to choose a career, write a resume and land a job to how to get along with the boss, climb up the corporate ladder and even get out of a dead-end job!
There is something for every one and every need, be it recent graduates or the most experienced professionals, be it for job search or career success. For instance, job search manuals can help you to discover a career that is congruent to your values, interests and requirements. Resume writing books are packed with advice, samples and formats for writing winning resumes and cover letters.
Job interview guides help you practice answers to typical and frequently asked interview questions so that you sound both confident and knowledgeable.
Similarly, other books offer tips and suggestions on how to stay focussed, achieve a work/life balance, make a career change or re-enter the job market.
Needless to say, career guidance books are an excellent source of insight and advice that have become an integral part of career planning and management.
But, it is not as easy as walking into a shop and picking the first one off the rack. Bookstores are crammed with hundreds of titles with as many authors. And, while popular books like Spencer Johnson’s 'Who Moved My Cheese' or 'Seven Habits of Highly Effective People' by Stephen Covey are general and can suit wide tastes, specific requirements of career management, communication skills or maybe dealing with failure call for a more deliberate selection.
Wading through the bookshelves and finding the best or most useful of the lot is not only tricky but also quite nerve-racking. So, here’s what you should know before you actually decide on buying a particular book:
What do you want? – Assess where you are in your job search or career plan to settle on the type and category of book you require.
Decide whether you need help in seeking employment, targeting your career or finding your way towards career success, and then try to find a book to fill that need.
Who is the author? - Always check the writer’s biography and introduction on the inside or back of the book. He/she need not necessarily be famous, but should have the right credentials and experience in the particular field. Career service professionals who have spent time in the trenches are the most qualified for giving advice.
As writer, Dawn Rosenberg McKay says, “Someone who writes resumes for a living can tell you how to write a resume.
Someone who is the hiring manager of a company can give job search tips.” Also, critically analyse the author’s credibility and trustworthiness as different people offer differing and at times, even contradictory views on the ‘best’ way of achieving something!
Is it current? – When top professions and lucrative occupations are dynamically changing, books and information become dated by the week. Therefore, do check the publication date and latest edition to ensure that the matter is current and relevant (especially when buying used books). For instance, Richard Nielsen’s 'What Colour Is Your Parachute?' is the best-selling job guide for 30 years. But it is rewritten and updated every year, keeping the content fresh and based on current scenarios.
Has it been ‘blessed’? – Scan through the first few pages to check whether the book has been endorsed/recommended by relevant associations, publications or professionals. Also, see whether it has won any awards or commendations. Even checking the ‘number of copies sold’ can help you gauge the actual popularity of the book.
Is it right for you? – Finally, follow your head, as the best book is useful only if it is in tune with your needs and works for you in particular.
A broad example is that most advice books have American job seekers in mind, which is not always effective for Indians.
You can choose to read the book’s reviews or even browse a bit before you buy – either online or in the bookstore – to ensure that it sounds both sensible and practical. Or, access the ‘personal favourites’ lists of successful people to get a hint at the best guidebooks.
Last but not the least; do keep in mind that a lot of valuable information and guidelines are available for free or at a low-cost on the Internet.
Once you know how to decide whether a book meets your needs and goals, you can make better and more informed choices.
While it may seem inordinately protracted, do remember that it always pays to put in time to select the right book rather than regret later when you are saddled with the wrong one.
There is something for every one and every need, be it recent graduates or the most experienced professionals, be it for job search or career success. For instance, job search manuals can help you to discover a career that is congruent to your values, interests and requirements. Resume writing books are packed with advice, samples and formats for writing winning resumes and cover letters.
Job interview guides help you practice answers to typical and frequently asked interview questions so that you sound both confident and knowledgeable.
Similarly, other books offer tips and suggestions on how to stay focussed, achieve a work/life balance, make a career change or re-enter the job market.
Needless to say, career guidance books are an excellent source of insight and advice that have become an integral part of career planning and management.
But, it is not as easy as walking into a shop and picking the first one off the rack. Bookstores are crammed with hundreds of titles with as many authors. And, while popular books like Spencer Johnson’s 'Who Moved My Cheese' or 'Seven Habits of Highly Effective People' by Stephen Covey are general and can suit wide tastes, specific requirements of career management, communication skills or maybe dealing with failure call for a more deliberate selection.
Wading through the bookshelves and finding the best or most useful of the lot is not only tricky but also quite nerve-racking. So, here’s what you should know before you actually decide on buying a particular book:
What do you want? – Assess where you are in your job search or career plan to settle on the type and category of book you require.
Decide whether you need help in seeking employment, targeting your career or finding your way towards career success, and then try to find a book to fill that need.
Who is the author? - Always check the writer’s biography and introduction on the inside or back of the book. He/she need not necessarily be famous, but should have the right credentials and experience in the particular field. Career service professionals who have spent time in the trenches are the most qualified for giving advice.
As writer, Dawn Rosenberg McKay says, “Someone who writes resumes for a living can tell you how to write a resume.
Someone who is the hiring manager of a company can give job search tips.” Also, critically analyse the author’s credibility and trustworthiness as different people offer differing and at times, even contradictory views on the ‘best’ way of achieving something!
Is it current? – When top professions and lucrative occupations are dynamically changing, books and information become dated by the week. Therefore, do check the publication date and latest edition to ensure that the matter is current and relevant (especially when buying used books). For instance, Richard Nielsen’s 'What Colour Is Your Parachute?' is the best-selling job guide for 30 years. But it is rewritten and updated every year, keeping the content fresh and based on current scenarios.
Has it been ‘blessed’? – Scan through the first few pages to check whether the book has been endorsed/recommended by relevant associations, publications or professionals. Also, see whether it has won any awards or commendations. Even checking the ‘number of copies sold’ can help you gauge the actual popularity of the book.
Is it right for you? – Finally, follow your head, as the best book is useful only if it is in tune with your needs and works for you in particular.
A broad example is that most advice books have American job seekers in mind, which is not always effective for Indians.
You can choose to read the book’s reviews or even browse a bit before you buy – either online or in the bookstore – to ensure that it sounds both sensible and practical. Or, access the ‘personal favourites’ lists of successful people to get a hint at the best guidebooks.
Last but not the least; do keep in mind that a lot of valuable information and guidelines are available for free or at a low-cost on the Internet.
Once you know how to decide whether a book meets your needs and goals, you can make better and more informed choices.
While it may seem inordinately protracted, do remember that it always pays to put in time to select the right book rather than regret later when you are saddled with the wrong one.
PAYAL CHANANIA
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