How'd You Score That Gig? and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more



or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Start reading How'd You Score That Gig? on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Color:
Image not available

To view this video download Flash Player

 

How'd You Score That Gig?: A Guide to the Coolest Jobs-and How to Get Them [Paperback]

Alexandra Levit
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)

List Price: $15.00
Price: $13.50 & FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $1.50 (10%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Only 3 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Want it tomorrow, June 20? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition --  
Paperback $13.50  
Image
Looking for the Audiobook Edition?
Tell us that you'd like this title to be produced as an audiobook, and we'll alert our colleagues at Audible.com. If you are the author or rights holder, let Audible help you produce the audiobook: Learn more at ACX.com.

Book Description

April 15, 2008
In How’d You Score That Gig?, career expert Alexandra Levit profiles more than sixty of the coolest careers on the planet–all rated in a national survey by twenty- and thirtysomethings for twenty- and thirtysomethings. To find the jobs that are calling your name, take Levit’s short quiz and discover your “passion profile.” You may be:

• an Adventurer: You’re spontaneous, free-spirited, and you always ready for change = foreign services officer, oceanographer, news correspondent
• a Creator: You’re always looking for a way to express yourself = video game designer, book author, landscape architect
• a Data Head: You have an uncanny knack for gathering and organizing information = computational linguist, meteorologist, urban planner
• an Entrepreneur: You have business savvy and don’t want to be chained to a desk = blogger, boutique owner, inventor
• an Investigator: You excel in science, logic, and learning = futurist, classic-car restorer, field archaeologist
• a Networker: You’re a people person–outgoing and a team player = lobbyist, speechwriter, TV producer
• a Nurturer: Selfless and compassionate, you make a difference one person at a time = physical therapist, life coach, nutritionist

Engaging and practical, the book includes insider accounts of young careerists currently in these jobs and provides specific action steps for breaking in. So before you settle for a position that just isn’t you, shake it up–and land the career of your dreams!

"Alexandra Levit's new book, How'd You Score That Gig?, is chock full of research, offers a rare glimpse into the privileged world of those who hold the jobs that other people covet, and provides the roadmap for readers to pursue fields that they might have considered out of reach. Don't hop blindly from career to career looking for one that suits you. Use this book as a guide to tell you what it's like before you make a wrong turn." --Penelope Trunk, author, Brazen Careerist: The New Rules for Success
"First, Alexandra Levit broadens your imagination about what kinds of careers are possible, and then after tantalizing you, she provides specific tips for breaking into the field. Enormously valuable!"
--Ben Casnocha, author, My Start-Up Life: What a (Very) Young CEO Learned on His Journey Through Silicon Valley
"This is a cool, unusual, and truly useful book. In my career coaching practice, the number one issue my younger clients face is having the strong desire to do something different work-wise with little knowledge about what jobs exist and how to find them. Alexandra Levit’s guide organizes passion into seven profiles and describes specific jobs within them. A real gem in the book is the innumerable resources listed to help readers learn more about the jobs that strike their fancy. Buy this book!”--Julie Jansen, author, I Don’t Know What I Want, But I Know It’s Not This
"Alexandra Levit has written an ideal book for all those adults who still don't know what they want to do when they grow up. The practical self-assessment that opens the book could point even the most indecisive person toward a realistic and satisfying career path. While reading about the dozens of coolest gigs that are thoroughly researched and attractively presented in this book, I almost started second-guessing my own career choices. Good thing I’ve already scored a cool gig!"--Tom Musbach, Editor, Yahoo! HotJobs
“Reading this is like having your own career counselor on call. It is, without doubt, the #1 book for anyone who’s unhappy in their job, confused about what to do next, or just wonders if they’re in the best career for them. I am giving a copy to every new college grad on my list. In fact, I’m giving one to every high school grad I know too.”--Barbara Stanny, author, Secrets of Six-Figure Women: Surprising Strategies to Up Your Earnings and Change Your Life

Frequently Bought Together

How'd You Score That Gig?: A Guide to the Coolest Jobs-and How to Get Them + What's That Job and How the Hell Do I Get It?: The Inside Scoop on More Than 50 Cool Jobs from People Who Actually Have Them + Delaying the Real World:  A Twentysomething's Guide to Seeking Adventure
Price for all three: $32.92

Buy the selected items together


Editorial Reviews

Review

"Alexandra Levit's new book, How'd You Score That Gig?, is chock full of research, offers a rare glimpse into the privileged world of those who hold the jobs that other people covet, and provides the roadmap for readers to pursue fields that they might have considered out of reach. Don't hop blindly from career to career looking for one that suits you. Use this book as a guide to tell you what it's like before you make a wrong turn." --Penelope Trunk, author, Brazen Careerist: The New Rules for Success

"First, Alexandra Levit broadens your imagination about what kinds of careers are possible, and then after tantalizing you, she provides specific tips for breaking into the field. Enormously valuable!"
--Ben Casnocha, author, My Start-Up Life: What a (Very) Young CEO Learned on His Journey Through Silicon Valley

"This is a cool, unusual, and truly useful book. In my career coaching practice, the number one issue my younger clients face is having the strong desire to do something different work-wise with little knowledge about what jobs exist and how to find them. Alexandra Levit’s guide organizes passion into seven profiles and describes specific jobs within them. A real gem in the book is the innumerable resources listed to help readers learn more about the jobs that strike their fancy. Buy this book!”--Julie Jansen, author, I Don’t Know What I Want, But I Know It’s Not This

"Alexandra Levit has written an ideal book for all those adults who still don't know what they want to do when they grow up. The practical self-assessment that opens the book could point even the most indecisive person toward a realistic and satisfying career path. While reading about the dozens of coolest gigs that are thoroughly researched and attractively presented in this book, I almost started second-guessing my own career choices. Good thing I’ve already scored a c... --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Ballantine Books (April 15, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0345496299
  • ISBN-13: 978-0345496294
  • Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 6.2 x 8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #894,092 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alexandra Levit's goal is to help people succeed in meaningful jobs, and to build relationships between organizations and top talent. A former nationally syndicated columnist for the Wall Street Journal and a current writer for the New York Times, Alexandra has authored several books, including the bestselling They Don't Teach Corporate in College, How'd You Score That Gig?, Success for Hire, MillennialTweet, New Job, New You, and Blind Spots.

Since serving as a member of Business Roundtable's Springboard Project, which advised the Obama administration on current workplace issues, Alexandra produced the critically acclaimed JobSTART 101, a free online course that better prepares college students and graduates for the challenges of the workplace, and a U.S. Department of Labor course that helps military veterans transition to the civilian workforce.

Alexandra consults, writes, and explores leadership development, career and workplace trends on behalf of Microsoft, American Express, Intuit, and DeVry University. She has spoken at hundreds of organizations around the world including the American Management Association, the Federal Reserve Bank, Campbell Soup, McDonalds, and Whirlpool.

Alexandra is also a frequent national media spokesperson and is regularly featured in outlets including the New York Times, USA Today, National Public Radio, CNN, ABC News, CNBC, Forbes, the Associated Press, and Glamour. She was recently named Money Magazine's Online Career Expert of the Year and the author of one of Forbes' best websites for women.

A member of the Northwestern University Council of 100 and the Young Entrepreneur Council, Alexandra just received the prestigious Emerging Leader Award from her alma mater. The award honors a Northwestern graduate under 35 who had made a significant impact in her field and in society. She resides in Chicago, IL with her husband Stewart and their two young children.

Customer Reviews

Whether you have recently graduated high school, college, or grad school, this book is for you! Leah Aizen  |  11 reviewers made a similar statement
This book was a fun read. Marci Twain  |  9 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book was a fun read. I liked it in a superficial kind of way. It features 60 jobs that may be worth pursuing. The author has grouped the 60 jobs in seven of the book's 8 chapters as follows:

1. Self-assessment
2. The adventurer
>>Conservationalist >>Documentary photographer >>ESL teacher
>>Foreign Serviceofficer >>News correspondent >>Oceanographer
>>Outdoor adventure guide >>Travel journalist
3. The creator
>>Actor >>Book author >>Fashion designer
>>Interior designer >>landscape architect >>movie screenwriter
>>Performance musician >>Restaurant chef >>Video game designer
4. The datahead
>>Computational linguist >>Environmental engineer >>Financial advisor
>>Information security specialist >>Meteorologist >>Pharmaceutical scientist
>>Urban planner
5. The entrepreneur
>>Bed-&-breakfast innkeeper >>Blogger >>Boutique owner
>>Event planner >>Health club owner >>Internet-based business owner
>>Inventor >>Pet sitter >>Professional organizer
6. The investigator
>>Antiques dealer >>Art curator >>Classic car restorer
>>Criminologist >>Field archeologist >>Forensic scientist
>>Futurist >>Historian >>Psychology lab assistant
7. The networker
>>Book editor >>Congressional staffer >>Image consultant
>>Lobbyist >>Marketing executive >>Pro sports team manager
>>Speech writer >>Talent agent >>Television producer
>>Wine merchant
8. The nurturer
>>Doula >>Elementary school teacher >>Life coach
>>Nonprofit administrator >>Nutritionist >>Physical therapist
>>Social services caseworker >>zoologist

Chapters 2 though 8 cover occupations that are grouped by the personality type of the person suited for them.
... Read more ›
Was this review helpful to you?
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a Psychologist, I have gone through my own struggles of finding a career path that is meaningful. I was lucky enough to find my passion early on. I have known lots of people who have just majored in something or taken a certain career path because they thought they were supposed to. This book is PERFECT for any college grad, anyone struggling to find a career that fits their personality and/or their passion, or just about anyone who is curious about a different career. This book is thoughtful, well-written, and interesting! The quiz at the beginning allows the reader to identify their personality type as it relates to career choices. The vast majority of selected careers are interesting, unique, and written about in the context of each personality profile. I HIGHLY recommend this book- it is so refreshing!
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Generally good... July 9, 2010
Format:Paperback
I really appreciated how this book's emphasis is on jobs that one can be passionate about, and matching your personality to those jobs. Generally, a great book -

Just a quibble or two:
1) Performance musician. I went to top music conservatories and have freelanced with orchestras (playing viola) for years. I think, in terms of playing with orchestras, that the author is off-base. For instance, looking up orchestral salaries on the national music educators' website? That's the LAST place you should look - music teachers don't play in big orchestras, they teach kids in primary and secondary school how to hold an instrument! I know for a fact that the top US symphonies have starting salaries in the low- to mid-six figures. However, getting one of those jobs is insanely difficult, based largely upon years and years of practicing many hours per day, even before auditioning, which itself is crazy hard. So, admittedly, getting an orchestra job is not a good topic for the book, which focuses upon re-inventing oneself post-college.

2) Under the boldface introductory quip for environmental engineering, an engineer describes explaining basic measurements - feet, inches - to a co-worker at the office, and how this is a satisfying aspect to his job. WHAT!? There are professional engineers out there who can't use a ruler?!?

3) Because of these minor flubs, I want to doubt the legitimacy of the research and information in the book. However, the writing is compelling, and I get the impression that the author did talk to a lot of people. Besides, the book's achievement is the excellent self-assessment at the beginning, the organization of jobs into personality types, and the overall thrust that you can start all over again.

92/100
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Dream jobs May 6, 2008
Format:Paperback
One of the things I loved the most about where I went to college was the freedom to form your own "major" -- you could piece together whatever classes you felt would help best educate you for the life path you wanted to pursue. That flexible curriculum planning still exists at the University of Rochester in New York and this book should be REQUIRED reading for all those who do it (and elsewhere). It's a hands-on, inspirational guide that shows you that your life's goals are only dreams with deadlines. I'll make it the defacto college graduation gift for anyone I know moving forward.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and excellent book! April 28, 2008
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book should be required reading for all "major undecided" college students... the personalization aspect of the book (via a guided self-assessment at the beginning) opens a world of career choices and helps individuals discover their passion and career calling. Levit's engaging style and exciting content combine to make "Gig" much less a reference and more a potential life-changer!
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Read along with "They don't teach corporate in college..."
The forward of the book really packs a punch with, "How did all these smart, ambitious,
goal-directed young people end up in dead-end or passionless careers? Read more
Published 16 months ago by Ariel
1.0 out of 5 stars These job descriptions feel cut and pasted from the internet.
This book only lists a handful of jobs, giving each of them two or three pages of descriptions at the most. Read more
Published on November 16, 2010 by shampoodle
5.0 out of 5 stars Cool Careers For Anyone Who's Ever Wondered, "Is This All There Is?"
This book is intended for 20- and 30-somethings, but I think it's a great guide for anyone, of any age, at any stage of their career, who is seeking to do something meaningful in... Read more
Published on August 28, 2010 by A Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars gift
when your son asked you what he should be buy him a couple of books to help him make a choice!!!
Published on May 18, 2010 by Jodi Behee
2.0 out of 5 stars Not so Helpful
The book was okay in terms of taking the quiz and going straight to your specific area of interest; however, this book did not offer up any great advice. Read more
Published on November 1, 2009 by Journey
4.0 out of 5 stars A great book for anyone who needs a little career direction
This book is a must-read for high schoolers unsure of what to choose for a college major, college students not excited by their current major, college grads wondering why they have... Read more
Published on September 25, 2009 by Jessica Lewis
1.0 out of 5 stars Unrealistic.
I bought this as a gift for my graduating sister and read through most of it before I gave it to her. Read more
Published on August 3, 2009 by Nicole
4.0 out of 5 stars Exploring career choices that match your personality? This book is...
"How Did You Score That Gig?"How'd You Score That Gig?: A Guide to the Coolest Jobs-and How to Get Them is a fun and easy read with thought provoking content. Read more
Published on May 5, 2009 by Mike Corak
5.0 out of 5 stars Should be every college's thank-you gift to graduating seniors around...
Every college across the country should give How'd You Score That Gig? as a thank-you gift to its graduating student body. Read more
Published on April 13, 2009 by Maria L. Pascucci
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful In Finding Your Way To A Dream Job
I just finished How'd you score that gig? by Alexandra Levit, and it was pretty insightful. She covers 60 "cool" jobs for twenty- and thirty-somethings, divided into seven broad... Read more
Published on March 22, 2009 by A. Harn
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews


Forums

Have something you'd like to share about this product?
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions




Look for Similar Items by Category