Crystal-Barkley Guide to Taking Charge of Your Career [Paperback]

Nella Barkley (Author), Eric Sandburg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 1995

Written by career guru Nella Barkley, this book turns the traditional job search on its head-by focusing on the individual, not the position-and gives people the tools they need to find work that's meaningful, well paying, and in tune with their needs. An interactive workbook, the Crystal-Barkley Guide takes a holistic approach to answering three key questions: Who am I? What do I want? How do I get there? Readers quickly become their own career counselors-experts, perhaps for the first time, on themselves. By learning which questions to ask, individuals learn how to accurately gauge their skills, identify talents, assess values. They learn how to put it all together, how to set goals and establish a direction. Then, once readers identify what they want, the authors show how the time-tested Crystal-Barkley methods can help them achieve it: How to visualize a career. How to survey a prospective workplace. How to negotiate. How to be a self-marketer. How to make job security permanent-because it comes from within.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

THREE STEPS TO BECOMING YOUR OWN CAREER COUNSELOR

An interactive, in-depth guidebook based on the career design workshops run by Crystal-Barkley, TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR CAREER turns the traditional job search on its head-by focusing on the individual, not the position-to give job seekers and practical dreamers the tools they need to find careers that are meaningful, well-paying, and secure.

Step 1: Who Am I?

What your life story has to do with a job. Uncovering over-looked skills. Determining the values that are most important to you. Learning to talk about yourself.

Step 2: Where Am I Going?

Reading life's compass. Visualizing a career. Establishing the direction you want to go in. Goals, and how to set them.

Step 3: How Do I Get There?

Assembling a plan of action. Surveying a potential workplace. Making effective introductions. A negotiation primer. Closing the deal.

Nella Barkley co-founded the Crystal-Barkley Corporation with John C. Crystal, who was the major contributor to Richard Nelson Bolle's What Color Is Your Parachute? She also provides management training to AT&T, General Motors, IBM, and other corporations and institutions.

Eric Sandburg, a former business professor, is president of Career Design Software, which brings the Crystal-Barkley process to the home computer.

About the Author

President of the Crystal-Barkley Corporation of New York (with offices in Chicago and Los Angeles), Nella Barkley is one of the foremost career consultants in the country.

Eric Sandburg, a former business professor, is president of Career Design Software, which brings the Crystal-Barkley process to the home computer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (January 10, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563054957
• ISBN-13: 978-1563054952
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #996,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Useful, July 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Crystal-Barkley Guide to Taking Charge of Your Career (Paperback)

I bought this book to help myself answer the question "am I in the right job?" The Crystal-Barkely methodology was time-consuming, yet easy to follow and helped me learn new things about myself. I used the results to realign myself within my company and focus on areas that play to my strengths.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A hidden gem, November 12, 2005

By 

Celeste W. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crystal-Barkley Guide to Taking Charge of Your Career (Paperback)

Having reviewed a number of new career books lately, I've come to the conclusion that the life/work planning process created by John Crystal (who was a mentor of Richard Bolles) remains one of the best and most practical. Nella Barkley was Crystal's business partner before he died. She is a coach extraordinaire -- one who has been coaching long before it became popular. (As Barbara Ehrenreich's new book, Bait and Switch, points out, there are many dubious career coaches in the world, so be sure to ask friends and colleagues for recommendations. Interview several before you buy.) I highly recommend this book, and her other, How to Help Your Child Land the Right Job, as well as the week-long Crystal Barkley course which is offered in cities around the U.S.: www.careerlife.com.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE guide to 'how to change' your life and work, April 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Crystal-Barkley Guide to Taking Charge of Your Career (Paperback)

This is a simple, practical, realistic approach to examining your experiences, determining your values and defining how to move forward with a life and work change. Many books discuss it, this one tells you how to do it. Don't be deceived by it's size: this is chock full of advice.