What Color Is Your Parachute? 1997: A Practical Manual for Job Hunters and Career Changers [Paperback]

Richard N. Bolles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1996 | Series: What Color Is Your Parachute?

A brand new edition of "the gold standard of career guides" (Fortune). In the 25 years since the first publication of Richard Bolles' What Color Is Your Parachute?, the job market has become more complex, making the book thicker with prescriptions. The 26th annual edition divides, like the waters of the Red Sea, into two volumes within the same binding: a thinner verison of the updated classic and The Parachute Workbook and Resource Guide.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

For nearly 30 years, What Color Is Your Parachute? has been the guiding light for those in pursuit of satisfying and fulfilling employment. This year's edition has been completely revised and rewritten and is designed to work in conjunction with the book's Web site. At the heart of Bolles's formula for finding the right job are two questions: What do you want to do? Where do you want to do it? Answer those and you're well on your way to finding the job you really want. Packed with time-tested advice, What Color Is Your Parachute? works as a good companion for those just starting out in the "real world" as well as for those who are thinking seriously about a career change. --Harry C. Edwards --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"An oldie but goodie, [Parachute] encourages you to take chances, set goals and find your true calling." -- Washington Times, January 8, 2001

"Parachute still best bet on job hunt." -- Everett, WA Herald, February 1, 1999

"Streamlined 'Parachute' still flies." -- USA Today, January 4, 1999

"This is the absolute best job-hunter's guide" -- Job Hunters Bookstore

"This is...the Cadillac of job search books." -- Rocky Mountain News --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press; Revised edition (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898158443
• ISBN-13: 978-0898158441
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (138 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,193,988 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

RICHARD N. BOLLES has been a leader in the career development field for more than thirty-five years. He was trained in chemical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and holds a bachelor's degree cum laude in physics from Harvard University and a master's in sacred theology from General Theological (Episcopal) Seminary in New York City. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Marci.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

92 of 93 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars If you've got the regular text, you don't need this..., February 21, 2007

By 

Lori Otto (DFW, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Color Is Your Parachute Workbook: How to Create a Picture of Your Ideal Job or Next Career (Paperback)

I though this would provide more info than the book ("What Color Is Your Parachute?") but what's inside are the same exercises... so if you have the book or are getting it, then you don't need this. On the other hand, if you don't want to read all of the insightful text of Bolles's original book, then this is a nice book of exercises! :) [I'd just recommend the original text, though.]

346 of 369 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars CHANGING CAREERS? THERE ARE MUCH BETTER BOOKS, August 1, 2000

By 

RobbieW (MANHATTEN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 2000 What Color is Your Parachute (Paperback)

I am a career coach with eight years of experience working with people wanting a new career - a better fit with their talents, more meaningful, a better work environment. If you want to choose a career that will be very fulfilling as well as something you will be successful at, forget about "Parachute". It just doesn't have the depth and wisdom it takes to coach you through this most important life decision.

Another career counselor who reviewed "Parachute" recommended that you get two other books instead. I agree. They are "The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success" by Lore, and "Do What You Are" by Tieger. "The Pathfinder" is the best career decision book ever, the seminal text, the masterpiece on the subject - this is, if you are serious about having a great life and unwilling to put up with less. I also agree with the other reviewer that "Parachute" is a great job hunting book, but only if you know exactly what job you are looking for. Reading "Parachute" takes some of the fear and uncertainty out of job hunting. But if you are trying to decide what to do with your life, forget about "Parachute".

227 of 242 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Marginally useful to people deciding their career direction, October 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 2000 What Color is Your Parachute (Paperback)

I'm a career counselor in private practice, working with mid-career changers and young people making these decisions for the first time. Over the years, an endless stream of clients have told me that they read "Parachute" and that it was not very useful. The problem is that the methods the author uses are simply inadequate to make this most important of life's decisions. "Parachute" became a best seller years ago because it was a breath of fresh air at a time when there were no other reasonably good career books. That time is long gone - and "Parachute" continues to sell mainly because everyone has heard of it. I recommend that you buy two truly extraordinary books to guide you to a highly satisfying career decision. The first is "The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success", by N. Lore. It is by far the best book on the subject. I recommend that you also buy a copy of "Do What You Are" by Tieger and use it along with "The Pathfinder" because it is the best guide to personality type. It is not my intention to denigrate "Parachute". It is an excellent guide, probably the best, if you already know exactly what you want to do and are seeking good job hunting advice. It gives courage and many excellent tips to those nervous about the job search, but for making career decisions, the books I recommended are much more useful.