The Anti 9-to-5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube (Paperback)

by Michelle Goodman (Author) "When I decided to flee the cube in my mid-twenties, I knew I wanted to do something related to writing, but I had no idea..." (more)
Key Phrases: temp gig, volunteer gig, flex work, New York, Must-See Resources, San Francisco (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Snappy and practical, this guide to quitting your job at the "e-mail-saturated, meeting-happy cube farm" will prove indispensable to any young professional itching to strike out on her own. Goodman, a successful freelance writer, aims her book at women between 25 and 35, but young men will likely find her advice (always send a thank you note after an informational interview; play it cool if you snort coffee out your nose) just as relevant. From "sussing out the gigs" to guidance on taxes and health insurance to battling "the inertia that binds one's derriere to the sofa like a tongue to a frozen flagpole," Goodman covers all the aspects of going solo. A "Show Me the Money" section at the end of each chapter gives readers money-saving tips (eat all the food in your fridge before it "liquefies or grows spores"), and checklists covering steps readers must take before becoming self-employed. Goodman's advice is applicable to a broad range of careers, though the non-profit and international travel chapters are useful primarily for pointing to other, more in-depth sources. Goodman's tone is realistic-taking into account the obstacles facing a generation burdened early by debt-but she retains a sense of humor, making this information-dense guide an encouraging, buoyant lifesaver.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
In a practical guide for young women who are ready to abandon their cubicles and carve out their own dreams, Goodman offers tools and tips for joining the DIY career club. Echoing many career-advice books, Goodman focuses on defining what your passion is and then mapping out a series of transition plans to get from cubicle to dream job. The book is most appropriate for women early in their careers who have not invested much time or energy on a serious career path. Her recommendations for freelancing, temping, part-time work, and lots of career exploration speak to a woman who has not yet found her calling. How-to sections on networking, deciding about additional schooling, resume preparation, and information interviewing are most appropriate for the younger worker still figuring out her career path. Gail Whitcomb
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Seal Press (December 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580051863
• ISBN-13: 978-1580051866
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,818 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Practical and packed with personality, February 18, 2007

By	Dr Cathy Goodwin (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Goodman has created a helpful guide, extremely well-written with frankness and humor. She takes readers through the steps of feeling frustrated with life in a cube to considering alternative escape routes. Of course her own story will inspire readers, as she herself went from cube to freelance status, while managing to live comfortably and even make mortgage payments.

The best part of the book is the section on living the freelance life. She gives down-to-earth advice on organizing the ridiculous amount of paperwork that goes with the freelance life. (I got some good ideas I can use right awway!)

I also liked the section on interviewing for information. She's listed steps from dazzle (write a nice simple request) to prepare to saying thanks. I couldn't agree more.

Additionally, Goodman has some excellent resources in the back of the book. Any career-changer would benefit from readings the books she recommends.

This book will be most helpful to thirty-somethings - those who have worked for five to ten years and are now asking, "How can I express my creativity in the world?" The Anti Guide makes a great companion to a book that's similarly targeted, This Time I Dance, by Tama Kieves. Kieves focused more on the emotional and psychological elements,while Goodman deals with practical implementation.

My own career clients tend to be 45-60. While they'd benefit from some elements of this book, I find that senior executives and experiened professionals need to choose different networking approaches.

I have just three quibbles about the book's content.

First, career consultants often encourage clients to shadow someone who's in a career they're considering. I would rather encourage my own clients to talk to half a dozen or more people in a field to get a broader perspective. I wouldn't give up on a field based on a single shadowing day and I'd investigate further if a day appeared to be a "wow."

Second, Goodman recommends creating a website if you're a writer - and I agree completely. But you need to create a money-making website, which calls for copy as well as design. It's not reasonable to expect a whole treatise on the subject but I'd have liked to see some links to sources that can help.

Finally, I agree with Goodman that readers should be cautious before hiring a career coach or consultant. Again, I believe this advice makes moreo sense for the younger reader.

Goodman encourages readers to talk to HR departments and experts in fields of interest. My own experience is that getting through to an information source requires a referral and HR folks are in the business of recruiting and screening.

These days, you should expect to pay for mentors, especially if you're going off on your own. You might take a continuing ed class at the low end or hire a consultant at the high end, but you pay. I agree with the advice to buy an hour at a time and avoid long, expensive commitmentes. But thes packages work for some clients.

In summary, Goodman's book makes an excellent contribution to the field. And the writing is so good, it's a fun read for anyone.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart, Sassy, and Soulful, July 27, 2007

By	Olivia Giovetti (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The biggest compliment I can give Michelle Goodman's The Anti 9-to-5 Guide is that it gave me a much needed kick in the a-- to get my right brain in gear and devote more time to what I'd like to make my full-time career. The other biggest compliment I can give her is that she doesn't tailor the advice to one set cubicle ex-pat camp.

Using an arsenal of examples (everyone from a professional dominatrix to web designers to non-profit divas), Goodman crafts a book where each chapter and piece of advice can apply universally to those of us who want to work in a "non-traditional" work environment. That Goodman herself is a cubicle expat but not above the occasional office gig to supplement her income, as she makes clear, is also incredibly reassuring and helpful. I've read enough make-it-happen books about doing what you want to do, but my biggest complaint with what I've read before TANtFG is that there wasn't the frank viewpoint that, in the interest of supporting your family, paying rent, or financing a new project may require a Money Job on occasion. I appreciate the realism in Goodman's advice as much as I appreciate the motivation with which it goes hand-in-hand.

Regardless of what stage in the game you're at (working for the man or running your maple syrup conglomerate with glee form home), this is a must for your bookshelf. The amount of usable advice in the 200+ pages will leave this book paying for itself.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, to kicking the 9 to 5 habit! , August 8, 2007

By	C. Bold - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found this book at just the right time. I was beginning to give up on my dream of leaving my job, and doing something that I really love. People change. (How can we expect to stay in the same job we chose in our early 20's?) I began reading the book and doing the suggested exercises. I have to say that I had more in common with the way the author wrote, than other "follow your dream" books. Right when I would begin to doubt my plan, the author, Michelle Goodman had an answer! Thank you for a great book, with great topics! If you are aching to live a purposeful life and your current job is not part of that purpose, check out this book. Find out how you can begin living your dream today!