Customer Reviews

What Color Is Your Parachute? 2005: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers

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I distinctly remember listening to a review of Parachute on the radio while in my car driving and saying to myself, "I need to buy this book." But good intentions have a way of not being put into action. It was years later when faced with a midlife career change and not knowing what I was going to do that my brother reminded me of this book.

Simply put, this book will give you hope and confidence. It will help you see what your strengths are and how to market yourself in a difficult economy. Let me share with you two ways it helped me. First, the exercises put to rest any doubts I had to where to pursue my new career. Second, the section on how to find a job was worth three times the cost of the book. To my chagrin, I discovered that the way most people look for work (including myself) is just the opposite way most employers hire people.

Now, I am beginning a new career. I love my work and look forward to a challenging and rewarding career. If you think that you may be facing a career change sometime in the near future order this book now. It will give you hope and confidence.

I'm talking about my parachute. I'm a mid-forties Wall Street refugee, wondering what I want to be when I grow up...(Hint no jobs on Wall Street right now). So I turned to this old standard for help.

First note that this book is updated every single year, so buy the latest copy. Yes an older one will be cheaper but...don't. I first picked up the 2001 version off the bookshelf. As I read the section on the internet, I guffawed. Not the author's fault, things change drastically on the internet, especially in 8 years. So I credit the author for updating the book constantly. He also substantially rewrites it, not just changing the cover or whatever.

Second, this is not a spectator sport, you must do the exercises to make the book work. I have not yet done them, officially, on paper, but have given a lot of thought to what he asks us to do. I remember reading this book years ago (1988?) and being very annoyed. Annoyed? Yes, because I thought the author had a lot of nerve to tell me I could do anything I want to do. I could go to Hollywood? Yes. I could be an astronaut? Yes. I could be an interpreter? Yes. Pimp? Yes. Investment Banker? Yes. Yes, yes, yes. You may have to go to school, or work hard, but yes you can follow your dreams.

What if you have no dreams, like me? Well, do the exercises, and the book will help you find something to do with yourself that won't make you want to shoot yourself in the head when the alarm clock goes off. I can't wait to find out what it is for me!

Ignore the naysayers, buy the latest copy of the book, read it, do the exercises. And Good Luck.

P.S. I also recommend the workbook.

If there is a single book out there for anyone looking for a job or thinking about changing jobs, "What Color Is Your Parachute?" is it. This book provides thorough and comprehensive advice that is both practical and relevant. It also appeals to almost any career level, from recent graduates to senior executives. The exercises helped expand my thinking about what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go, and definitely proved to be an asset during interviews and discussions. The entire book, in fact, provided a broader context to the process which made me a stronger candidate. And the hands-on advice also reminded me of the smaller details that are so critical but easy to forget about. If you buy any book on the topic of job hunting or career change, this has to be it. I highly recommend it.

There are only a few books that are must-haves for individuals who are looking to identify their optimum career area. Parachute is one of them. The book is a bit broad and far-reaching-it's meant to help all people with all career choices-but if you can funnel through the reading and apply the principles to yourself on a personal level, Parachute is well worth a careful look. Keep in mind that Parachute is for professionals who have not yet identified what segment of the job market they want to work in, not necessarily for people who have already found their niche and want to thrive.

Better than all the rest. This is an annually updated guide to finding your next job. Your next career. Your next passion. Read the book completely once. Then block off a day or two of your life and do the exercises.

If you don't understand who you are, and what you have to offer, how can you find the right vocation ?

This book makes a great graduation gift.

I researched Bolles' updated for 2005 and it is still a classic. My review below still stands, but updated as follows.

Bolles' advice on the new realities we are struggling under is very pointed. There are jobs and ways to find them if you know what you want and where to find them.

I still think if people were to use this book as a workbook it they would discover so much about themselves.

Bolle's book is still timeless for job seekers of all kinds. I feel that his book updated each year to meet the current trends in society is critical. He needs to address those issues, like the web, downturn in the economy and the like.
The most critical part of the book is the self evaluation section. This is a very structured process that can be used intutitively as well. Bolles asks you to write a few stories about yourself, then, what did you like and dislike about those stories? What did you do well, where did you fail or feel challenged beyond your abilities? These are the critical areas of the book that take time to get through, yet you can evaluate yourself and understand what you like, it is what you do best, usually.

We excel what we are good at, according to Bolles, this method will help us discover what we are best at.

I have recommended this book to many over the years, and still do. Whether someone is in college, or someone is going through a long term transition after being in a job for a long time or moms returning to the work place, this book will be very instructive for you.

One of his processes is very simple asking you to compare who you would most like to talk with or groups of people you would rather relate with. This is a standard set of tests for some very expensive career consulting, he gives it to you for the price of his book and the time to self evaluate yourself. Then, he breaks down the possible job areas and skill sets related to these groups.

Again, a worthwhile journey for anyone not wanting to wander any longer in the world of work.

JOE SLEVIN
Job Coach

"What Color Is Your Parachute" is the first book you need if finding a job is your goal. If you've not bought this yet, you haven't started looking.

Richard Bolles is the expert. His books sell because they are fresh each year with insight, purpose and ideas for determining what job you should do, and how to get it.

I used "Parachute" to get my first job. It continues to influence me today, as I job hunt again.

Thoroughly practical, Bolles asks you questions about your mission in life. His belief is that just getting a job -- even ones you are good at -- won't be a wise decision in the long haul. He helps you see your passions mixed with skills and experience, and guides you to getting their. Though it is hardly a self-help book, it is far more useful than the ones clogging up the Top 10 list.

He keeps you accountable. Finding a job is your job if that's what you say you want. And if you aren't working, he won't let you make excuses -- you've got the time. Either you are looking or you aren't. Dr. Phil could take a note from Bolles' direct yet congenial style.

Don't bother with the hardcover. You need the paperback. This is not a sit-on-the-shelf book, but a get-down-to-business book, and you'll appreciate the flexibility while at work or on the train.

I fully recommend, "What Color Is Your Parachute" by Richard Nelson Bolles.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

"What Color Is Your Parachute" is the first book you need if finding a job is your goal. If you've not bought this yet, you haven't started looking. It is that good.

Richard Bolles is the expert. His books sell because they are fresh each year with insight, purpose and ideas for determining what job you should do, and how to get it.

I used "Parachute" to get my first job. It continues to influence me today, as I keep my eyes open for a possible career change. As I have trandsitioned from nonprofits to corporate work, to freelance/consulting to looking again at nonprofits, I take what Bolles' teaches into each situation. He helps balance out reality. No smoke and mirrors, but encouraging and candid exhortation.

Thoroughly practical, Bolles asks you questions about your mission in life. His belief is that just getting a job (any job) -- even ones you are good at -- won't be a wise decision in the long haul. He helps you see your passions mixed with skills and experience, and guides you to getting there. Though it is hardly a self-help book, it is far more useful than the ones clogging up the Top 10 list.

He keeps you accountable. Finding a job is your job if that's what you say you want. And if you aren't working, he won't let you make excuses -- you've got the time. Either you are looking or you aren't. Dr. Phil could take a note from Bolles' direct yet congenial style.

Bolles has kept current, with a significant look at the internet, starting your own business, dealing with the tempestuous employment marketplace, working in an unpleasant situation, and more.

Don't bother with the hardcover. You need the paperback. This is not a sit-on-the-shelf book, but a get-down-to-business book, and you'll appreciate the flexibility while at work or on the train.

I fully recommend, "What Color Is Your Parachute" by Richard Nelson Bolles.

Anthony Trendl
http://anthonytrendl.com

Ok. This is the best of the best. Worth full price. I don't care so much for the exercises and things like that. But the book can be summed up as a three in one.

It covers:

Job seeking (main aspect)
Interviewing
Salary Negotiation

As well as identifying your true passion and learn more about the type of jobs you would really like to do. People that succeed generally like what they do so this book is a great resource that will help you identify what you love to do. When work is enjoyable, you tend to do better, get promoted etc.

I am a college grad and this book is worthy of being used in a college environment to teach a class that would cost far more than the price of this book.

No matter what field of work you do, get this book if you are looking for a job. I guarantee you will learn about yourself and identify some of your inner goals and desires.

I'm at a loss to explain the appeal of this book. I found exactly one useful insight, and it's contained in one clumsily-worded sentence on page 37: "Most employers hunt for employees in the exact opposite way from how job-hunters hunt for them." What he means is that in terms of landing for a job, sending out resumes on the Internet is the least effective method, applying directly to targeted companies is better, and networking and temping are best. Bolles even has a tally of the supposed success rates for each method. Nice to know.

The rest of the book, however, reads like fluff. The majority of content is devoted to discussing the obvious in embarrassingly deep detail, i.e. posing questions like "what skills do you most enjoy using?" or "where do you want to live?" while asking the reader to perform childish exercises like writing down one's interests, values, and salary on a flower pedal diagram. Truly useful information is scarce, and GOOD GOD does this guy take his sweet time to make a point. Chapter 6 starts with a page-long anecdote about an earthquake in Asia, then goes on for another page chronicling the history of advances in transportation technology, all just to make a point that the invention of the Internet enables the instant transfer of information to anywhere in the world. NO SH**, SHERLOCK!

Also, the "updates" made to this book over the years mostly seem to consist of bulleted lists of random websites (which only weaken an already dull narrative flow) and a few updated cultural references, i.e. Hurricane Katrina.

10 million copies sold? Seriously?