Customer Reviews

Crystal-Barkley Guide to Taking Charge of Your Career

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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.

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.

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.

Seeing yourself differently in very specific ways, and valuing that uniquiness seems to be the first practical step toward ultimately differentiating if not distinquishing yourself. Exploring and eventually commiting to what you care about personally as well as potentially professionally, confidently communicating how you will use your most preferred skills to best meet those needs of your selected "partners" is empowering and energizing. Important points are humorously supported by cartoonist Sam Gross.