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New Job, New You: A Guide to Reinventing Yourself in a Bright New Career

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The headlines about jobs are pretty stark already two years into this recession. We're learning that even when the market recovers, some jobs won't return, that short term temps are going to become permanent temps, that companies are going to be providing less and less in the way of health care and pensions, and that workers are going to get paid less for a lot more work.

Faced with this tough marketplace you'd think that workers would be digging in and doing their best to hold on to their jobs--at least if they had one.

Yet more and more people are looking at their careers and giving serious thought to career change. As Rahm Emmanual puts it, "You never let a serious crisis go to waste." This is just the crisis to get a lot of people thinking and acting about reinventing their careers. But why do people reinvent themselves, and set out for a new career? And perhaps even more important in today's tough environment, how do people go about making a successful career change?

In a fascinating new book, New Job, New You: A Guide to Reinventing Yourself in a Bright New Career, Alexandra Levit, the well-known Wall Street Journal career writer and author of the highly successful, They Don't Teach Corporate in College, answers those two big questions: why do people reinvent themselves, and how do they do it?

Levit takes an unusual, yet highly relevant approach to career change. In her research she identified the seven basic motivations that drive people to make career change and sets up her book, chapter by chapter, with that information. So, for example, there's a chapter illuminated by people driven to make more money, a chapter given over to those who've successfully changed careers because of their desire for more family time, and still another chapter detailing the moves of people who change careers to fulfill their own personal passion. And not surprisingly, there's another chapter given to people who make changes because of personal setbacks. What could be more relevant for today's world?

Although Levit carves out a broad career niche, unlike most of the career change books, so often devoted to career change by managers and execs, Levit tells the stories of people of the younger generations, but from all walks of life. So you'll have the profile of the career change of 23 year-old, Kristin who goes from paralegal to advertising copywriter, as well as that of Jon, a fellow barely in his 40s who went from ribs maker to commodities trader to psychology professor.

Each chapter relates the career change stories of five different people, and closes with appropriately focused self-reflective questions to help the reader clarify his/her motivation to change. For example, the chapter on setback motivations asks such clarifying questions as:

· Have recent events in your life left you wondering why you chose your job in the first place?

· Have frequent feelings of hopelessness drained your motivation at work?

· Are you afraid to make a career change because things are already bad enough and you're worried about making things worse?

Following the self-reflective questions, she offers a number of well thought-out practical recommendations for moving on your decision. The resource toolkit offers a plethora of websites for the internet savvy, and books for those who like to feel paper in their hands.

Readers will find themselves in the cutting-edge stories of career change. You can't help but think, "oh yeah, that's me," "I can do that, too," or, "gee, I never thought about that." This is the kind of book I'll be recommending to anyone and everyone who has ever given thought to career change, and especially to those who wonder if making a change in today's economy is a wise move. New Job, New You is a great book written by the younger generation for the younger generations.

One of the biggest challenges of any career transition is getting started--especially when you are confronted with shifting priorities such as family, financial pressure, or simply the overwhelming feeling that your talents could be better used elsewhere. In the words of Taoist Philosopher Lao Tzu, "the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." But how do you start to make a career move to a new job or industry when you don't have any role models?

I thought of this last night as I watched the DVD for Julie & Julia. As I too, am a blogger and live in New York, Julie Powell's cooking and writing project inspires me. But I tried modeling my life after a heroine years ago (I picked Anne of Green Gables for her work ethic, resiliency, and ability to fix awkward situations), and I discovered that--ultimately--it didn't work for me in the real world and especially not in Manhattan.

I've spent the last ten years helping others make career transitions. I've worked as a career counselor, a recruiter, and have worked with dozens of job seekers navigating transitions. My take-away: You can learn a lot from studying the past predicaments of individuals whose motivations are similar to your own.

Enter Alexandra Levit's New Job, New You. It's full of extended conversations with real people who've made career transitions, and is a great way to learn what worked--and what didn't work--for others in transition. In writing the book, she sought out stories of people who successfully made changes, but who were neither career rock stars nor "exceptionally lucky." The result: over 21 profiles of "real people" who you can learn from as you figure out the beginning steps in your own career journey, followed up with a concrete road map that outlines steps you can take to make your next move. Check it out.

If you're considering a career change or have recently lost your job & are looking for inspiration, this book is a great resource. It shares real-life stories of others who have made career shifts in various industries for 7 major reasons: family, independence, learning, money, passion, setback (i.e. getting laid off), and talent. If you're in your 20s or 30s, you'll relate particularly well to the examples. I think the recent economic downturn gives us all an opportunity to reassess what we're doing and what we WANT to be doing. It just might be the perfect time to make a change! Grab a copy of this book if you're with me.

This book is a great starting point for career men and women of all age groups who are either looking to change careers, or who have been forced to re-evaluate their strengths in this terrible economy. It's an easy read with engaging, relevant advice. I've shared some of Ms. Levit's other excellent career books on 20-somethings in the workplace with the 20-somethings who I manage at my firm (and the advice in the books have always helped them greatly), but I'm afraid to share this one lest they get any ideas about leaving for a new career!

It's a new decade, so why not finally brush off the procrastination and explore the new career you've been looking for?

Having been a stay at home mom for some time now, I have been attempting to forge a new career path for the past few months. Despite endless hours spent brainstorming and searching, I had made no real progress in this journey. Then a friend suggested I read New Job New You. Although I had already read other related self help books, I really respect this friend's opinion and so I gave it a shot. I finished this book in two nights and can honestly say that it was the most insightful, informative, well written book of this type I have ever read. And bottom line is that because of this book, I now know what I want to do and have already begun to implement my career reinvention. While reading this book, the proverbial lightbulb went off in my head and all of a sudden the answer came to me. The writing is excellent; the information is straightforward, and the book truly accomplishes all that is sets out to do. I can't thank this author enough for guiding me in such a profound and substantive way.

In her newest book, New Job, New You, Alexandra provides a road map for her readers to navigate the windy path of career transition and reinvention. Whether you are dissatisfied in your current position, looking for a small business venture alongside your 9-5 or ready to brave a new industry entirely, Alexandra helps you find your way in this book.

As a regular in the career reference section, I have come across several books which, while inspirational, lack the practical advice or "how to" suggestions necessary to make an effective change. In New Job, New You, Alexandra is both inspirational and informative, guiding readers calmly through an otherwise stressful and overwhelming process of career transition. Through her strategic use of personal anecdotes, educational resources and self-evaluation assessments, Alexandra gives her readers the power to unlock their ultimate professional passion and turn it into an invigorating and successful career. Pick up a copy of New Job, New You and begin your journey to professional growth and personal fulfillment today!

I have been a long time fan of Alexandra Levit's work, own several of her other books, and have recommended her books to professionals time and time again. In the book New Job, New You, Alexandra writes about seven reasons people get the itch to change careers. I used this information to evaluate a career change I am considering - going from the entrepreneurial lifestyle I've created back to the corporate world to build my network, work with bigger clients, and take on an executive leadership role within a top marketing agency.

Most people who are able to quit their jobs and become entrepreneurs don't make the switch back - so I had my doubts about whether I could make the transition. New Job, New You showed me that I was ready for this career change and gave me tons of great ideas to make the transition happen, and make it a successful one too!

I am confident that the insights I found in this book will help me reinvent myself and my career as I take on new opportunities!

I'll be honest, there are alot of books in the marketplace that seem to address the topic of switching careers but Alexandra's book stands out amongst the competition as being straight forward, easy-to-read and FRESH (not full of the same advice contained in many of the other books and reference guides.) Regardless of whether or not you think that you are ready for change, the author helps you realize that change is coming and it is not necessarily a "bad thing." Ms. Levit's book prepares you to make the necessary next steps to ensure success. After reading it several times, this book has been filed on my bookshelf next to "The Seven Habits..." and "How to Win Friends..." It's that good!

If you are thinking of reinventing yourself - or even if you are not - the tales Alexandra shares in New Job, New You are inspiring. The book offers story after story of people who successfully made career changes, motivated by a variety of factors that are not always included in career books, from family needs to the desire to pursue a particular skill.

In each category, we learn the stories of regular people (just like us!) who have made a significant career shift.
If you have read other career books, but haven't "seen" yourself in them - this book is a refreshing change. I imagine everyone will be able to identify with some of the stories here - via the circumstances and/or the choices described.

The personal, sometimes moving, accounts of people who took the reigns of their professional lives may inspire you, but what makes this book so special and useful is that, for each of the categories above, Alexandra includes self-reflexive questions for potential career changers to consider. She offers specific suggestions, action steps and exercises to help careerists evaluate a fit for the change and a capacity to make it happen successfully. To top it all off - each chapter includes a resource toolkit and suggestions of useful books to read.

I've enjoyed all of the books I've reviewed by Alexandra, but I think this one is exceptional - a real home run for anyone looking for advice or information to help them move to their "next best thing." I hope you will pick up a copy for yourself and anyone you know who could use a shot of inspiration and advice!

"New Job, New You" is an excellent starting point for anyone who is thinking about making a career change. While there may be many books on this topic, this book stands out due to it's balance of personal stories with real-life examples coupled with concrete action steps. Similar to Ms. Levit's other books, it is written in a clear, easy-to-read, engaging style. I highly recommend this book for anyone who may be thinking about a career or job change.