Customer Reviews

Changing Careers for Dummies

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have read quite a few of these types of books and I must say that Changing Careers for Dummies is in a class by itself. It is an extremely useful and enjoyable book. The author steps you through a reassessment of your likes, skills and talents in a manner that makes the process much simpler than is the case with other career changing books. The book also has a friendly, almost nurturing feel that is welcome during a time of uncertainty. McClelland almost makes it seem that changing careers is something to regard with joy and positive anticipation. Highly recommended!!

This book came at a fortuitous time in my life. My company had just gone through a small downsizing maneuver under the guise of 'enhanced performance system' employee reviews. It certainly made me sit up and notice, especially since my job and I aren't really well suited to each other. Ms. McClelland's book gave me much more insight into what I really wanted to do, and how to go about it. I especially liked the section where you find out what interests you, out of the seven sections, I found four that fit me. Interestingly enough, none of the four are in the area in which I currently work. She also gives the reader permission to dream of ANY career, and not to be bound by old thoughts and worries. I intend to change careers in about a year, and will take the discoveries I made by reading this book into my next job. It can truly help anyone who wants to move on to something else, something they've always wanted to do!

This book is really excellent. One of the reasons is because it specifically addresses career *changes*, as well as just careers in general. There are certain details and differences, especially in the psychology of the career changer. I believe this books hits that nail on the head.

There are some sections that really, really help you get to the core of what you were born to do...which is a very hard process.

Rob

What I liked best was that this was not just a theoretical examination - but rather an excercise that gets the reader to take a very pragmatic examination of their overall needs and wants. Most of us have thought about those things that affect our career choice at some point, but this book takes one through an organized evaluation of the many aspects that are important in selecting a career - and does so using worksheets and other means that give the reader and organized and well thought out picture of career options that best meet their needs. I think this is an excellent book that really gets your personal factors affecting career choice in front of you in a very clear and straightforward manner.

I understand that this will be the first "less than 5 star" review of this book, but it does need to be said.

In fairness, if you are very uninformed AND have lost your job for the first time AND feel intimidated by the entire career change arena, this book would then serve a purpose.

Firstly, the book is very rudimentary in purpose and style. It offers basic information geared to individuals with a very low base of self knowledge and self awareness. The book is ok if you need assistance in understanding yourself.

The book is cheaper than a therapist, so if you need help in understanding yourself within the context of changing careers, buy the book!

This book should have been published as a 100 page career change handbook. Unfortunately for the intelligent reader, it was published as a 300 page PHD driven collection of pomposity and drivel. This author has an uncanny ability to change rudimentary concepts into mini sermons from the Mount.

Finally, I would make this suggestion...save $20.00, Google the following,"career changing",print any relevant articles and move on into your new career!