Job Searching
-- Library Journal, 02/01/2010
Levit, Alexandra. New Job, New You: A Guide to Reinventing Yourself in a Bright New Career Light. Ballantine. 2009. c.192p. bibliog. ISBN 978-0-345-50880-5. pap. $15. ECON
Levit (Success for Hire) outlines seven motivations for career changes, including family, money, and passion, and shows how each transformation can be accomplished. There are a plethora of stories here of real people who have reinvented themselves through new careers, sometimes more than once. Each chapter includes a resource toolkit at the end, providing relevant books and web sites for additional assistance pertaining to the motivation being covered. A quiz is given in the introduction to help readers target what their true motivations are and guide them to the correct chapter to help transform their careers. Readers will find the stories inspirational and the exercises and worksheets even more so. Recommended for job seekers prepared to do this kind of research into their motivations for career change and for larger library career collections.—Elizabeth Nelson (EN), OUP Lib., Des Plaines, IL
Mackay, Harvey. Use Your Head To Get Your Foot in the Door: Job Search Secrets No One Else Will Tell You. Portfolio. 2009. c.315p. index. ISBN 978-1-59184-321-4. $25.95. BUS
This collection of job search tips by Mackay (Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive) follows the style of his previous best sellers, complete with humorous examples and "Quickie" one-page stories that illustrate his main points. Don't let the cover or any worry about his sense of humor dissuade you: this is a very useful book. The short chapters with descriptive titles make it easy to navigate, and Mackay offers tips—from changing your attitude to getting hired—both for those currently employed but wishing to position themselves better in their current companies and for those who are out of work. Highly recommended for job seekers and career changers at all experience levels.—EN
Martini, Kitty & Candice Reed. Thank You for Firing Me!: How To Catch the Next Wave of Success After You Lose Your Job. Sterling. Mar. 2010. c.240p. index. ISBN 978-1-4027-6956-6. pap. $14.95. BUS
For readers who have lost their jobs, are thinking about venturing forth as freelancers or consultants, or are searching for a new career, this is an invigorating and very helpful book. Martini is actually a stand-up comedian—"and an expert on being fired"—while Reed is a veteran freelance journalist. Their book is clear, enthusiastic, and, most importantly, loaded with direct, uncluttered advice with tons of specifics. A resource guide in the back lists almost 30 pages' worth of web sites and some print materials, corresponding to the chapter topics, which range from how to develop a support network and how to tune into Gen Y job networking to specifics on global, artistic, and green industries, among others. A great choice for most job hunters.—Margaret Heilbrun, Library Journal
Mathison, Duncan & Martha I. Finney. Unlock the Hidden Job Market: 6 Steps to a Successful Job Search When Times Are Tough. FT: Pearson. 2009. c.256p. ISBN 978-0-13-703249-5. pap. $16.99. ECON
Career consultant Mathison and Finney (CEO, Engagement Journeys, LLC; Rebound: A Proven Plan for Starting Over After Job Loss) show the reader how to tap into the hidden job market, those many job opportunities that can't be found through traditional channels. Short chapters with quick summaries drive the important points home, and the stories at the end of each chapter illustrate their meaning even more clearly. While this will be an invaluable resource for some, it's not for everyone. It focuses on high-level careers, reflecting the authors' experience with executive placement and leadership communications. Frequent references to the current job market may become quickly outdated, but those on the lookout right now in the higher brackets may appreciate this as a resource.—EN
Mitchell, Pamela. The 10 Laws of Career Reinvention: Essential Survival Skills for Any Economy. Dutton. 2009. c.272p. ISBN 978-0-525-95146-9. $25.95. ECON
Mitchell (founder, Reinvention Inst.) lays out the ten "laws" of career reinvention, from creating a vision and forming a network of resources to speaking the language of your new career. Each law is accompanied by a profile story to illustrate the purpose of the law and demonstrate how it can be put to work. This book is made all the more useful by the inclusion of a companion workbook, which can be used either along with the book (exercises refer to certain sections of the laws) or separately after reading. A link to an e-version of the workbook will prevent library circulation problems. This self-guided tool lets readers immediately put the laws into action with their own career reinventions. A fine complement to other job search resources.—EN
Sindell, Milo & Thuy Sindell. The End of Work as You Know It: 8 Strategies To Redefine Work in Your Own Terms. Ten Speed: Crown Publishing Group. 2010. c.144p. index. ISBN 978-1-58008-997-5. pap. $14.99. ECON
The Sindells (cofounders, Hit the Ground Running; coauthors, Job Spa: 12 Weeks To Refresh, Refocus, and Recommit to Your Career) team up again with this volume on how to get your job to work for you, rather than the other way round. According to the authors, "the end of work" occurs when your job creates a sense of fulfillment and alignment with your personal goals. To this end, they offer eight strategies for rethinking your role at work, each of which applies to different people at different stages of their careers. The concise explanations of each strategy coupled with detailed explanations of how to follow through make this a great resource. Strongly recommended for anyone, employed or job-seeking, who wants to redefine how he or she thinks about work.—EN
Looking for additional resources on job hunting? Check out LJ's collection development feature, Bonnie Easton's "Our World of Work."
