The Career Counselor's Handbook (Parachute Library) [Paperback]

Richard N. Bolles (Author), Howard E. Figler (Author)

Book Description

Series: Parachute Library | Publication Date: March 1, 2004

With more than sixty-five combined years of experience in the career development field, Howard Figler and Richard Nelson Bolles are the undisputed authorities when it comes to helping people find meaningful work. In this revised and updated second edition of their classic guide for career counselors, Figler and Bolles show aspiring counselors how to break into the business, and give experienced counselors ideas for improving effectiveness and recharging their practice. Outlining tools, problem-solving tips, and ethical values for today'¬?s career counselor, THE CAREER COUNSELOR'¬?S HANDBOOK features new information about performing the Annual Career Checkup, choosing Essence over Ego, and using the Internet-while celebrating the fact that even career counselors need counsel once in a while.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Dick Bolles and Howard Figler once again become our trusted guides as we strive to serve responsibly in the sacred sphere of other people'¬?s careers. What a joy to be reintroduced to classics like 1-2-3 Counseling, and at the same time share in the latest thinking of two masters of the profession. Each chapter'¬?s lesson inspires us to be the best that we can be with our clients."-Deb Koen, president of Career Development Services and contributor to The Wall Street Journal'¬?s CareerJournal.com"Full of practical how-to tips as well as insight into broad, philosophical topics such as mystery, ego, values, and spirituality, this handbook is your opportunity to benefit from the stimulating ideas and diverse styles of Howard Figler and Dick Bolles. Try it, you'¬?ll like it-and you'll learn."-H. B. Gelatt, EdD, cofounder of Gelatt Partners and author of Creative Decision Making With Positive Uncertainty

From the Publisher

* A thorough revision of the trusted career counselor guide from two veterans in the field, including the author of the best-selling career book in the world. * Includes seven all-new chapters, such as "The Annual Career Checkup" and "The 60-30-10 Rule: The Necessity of Maximizing Face-to-Face Contact." * There are over 600,000 counselors in the United States, and employment is expected to grow faster than average through 2014. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580081576
• ISBN-13: 978-1580081573
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,335,429 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #95 in Books > Business & Investing > Job Hunting & Careers > Job Markets & Advice

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Learn the "True" Role of the Career Counselor, August 24, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Career Counselor's Handbook (Parachute Library) (Paperback)

As a rookie in the field of Career Development I was in for some major surprises. As many Americans in today's society, I thought that the most frequently utilized tools of any professional career counselor would be assessment tests and occupational forecasts. Instead, I learned that these tools should be be used sparingly and with caution. Although still frequently used, the the highly skilled and professional career counselor makes it his/her mission to help the client use introspection, and ultimately, assume the responsibility for her/her own career development. I learned a lot about the field of career counseling, material which can not only be used when working with clients but also material that will be beneficial to my own career development. My two least favorite aspects of the book were the last chapter which dealt with "Hanging it up as a Career Counselor". Not that this Chapter shouldn't have been included, but I felt as that it was a downer of an ending. Also, it was recommended that the Counselor be ready to bring God and sprituality into the counseling session(s) if the client seems ready to do so. Maybe it is because I am new, but I find religion and spirituality to be so personal and unique to the individual, that I would be uncomfortable doing this. Religious values and beliefs are so varied that I think one would have to be highly knowledgeable about both world religions and the world of work.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Theory and practice in one, August 7, 2000

By 

Mr A C Bramley (Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Career Counselor's Handbook (Parachute Library) (Paperback)

This book is a gift to anyone who is interested or involved in career counseling. It holds a wealth of clear, helpful and practical information that has been gathered and tested by two writers who have become leaders in their field, and who have in this book shared their wealth of experience. It provides a superb history of the ideas and events in the history of career counselling from 1909 to the present that will be valuable to both the student and the practitioner. It successfully integrates the academic, the spiritual and the intensely practical aspects of career counseling, and shows its relationship to life planning. The basis of this counseling approach is empowering individuals, so that clients 'take charge of their career development, make their own decisions and act on those decisions'. The writers take a firm stance on career assessment tools. There is sound advice on managing groups and group processes as well as an initial framework for running career counseling in a group. There is also practical advice on how to unblock clients, how to deal with the impossible client and how to counsel someone when you only have one hour. This book supports the proactive job search approach, self-employment, entrepreneurship and selling yourself. This is no standard textbook on counseling - it is a focused, practical and helpful guide that stays with its own topic and provides real tools and helpful advice, based on sound research and practice. I believe this book goes far in providing the career counselor with the tools they need to succeed, and, and in a wonderfully readable form.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Food for thought!, December 30, 2000

By 

Anne S. Headley (University Park, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Career Counselor's Handbook (Parachute Library) (Paperback)

When I purchased this book, I found myself inspired, refreshed and enlightened by the contents. After doing career counseling for over 20 years, I am delighted to be caught up anew in the possibilities. I called up four colleagues and started a book discussion group. We are working our way through the ideas herein, beginning with the authors' distinctions between information, knowledge, and wisdom. Brilliant, and very helpful! I recommend this to career practitioners who wish to sharpen their skills and focus. Bravo!