Customer Reviews

What Color Is Your Parachute? 2008: A Practical Manual for Job-hunters and Career-Changers

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am currently between jobs, and use this book every day to plan my job search. It is literally like a shot of confidence in the arm. The book is full of great insights not just on the job search, but also on the entire psychology of it all. It has great websites you can use to do career tests and personality tests. The great thing about the book is that the author has so much experience, so is able to draw on those many years, to give advice. It is like having a high-paid careeer coach. I can't recommend this book enough.

They call it the number one career book of all time, mainly because it released annually. Parachute is really a primer in career exploration. Other books add a ton of value after you get this foundation. Because of that, Bolle's is 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

Today's job market is harsh and cold-blooded. Indeed, nothing guarantees that the job you have now will be available tomorrow. Your job (and you) may be downsized or outsourced. Plus, many people must now accommodate themselves to the status of part-time workers, even those with jobs that used to be full-time, salaried positions. Competition is fierce for good - and even mediocre - jobs. How do you manage to stay employed in such a cutthroat environment? Since the early '70s, people looking for employment or career change have turned to this bestseller by Richard Nelson Bolles. This updated classic is filled useful information. One caveat: Bolles notes that his statistical results are a "mashup of research and hunches," so take them as indicative, but perhaps not as scientific. And if not every suggestion is a gem, he still gives you plenty of options. Those who also appreciate a spiritual message amid the practicalities will find that as well, so if that isn't your cup of tea, consider yourself warned. We recommend this guide to anyone who needs to find a good job, or who wants - or needs - to make a career change.

My husband was laid off when the company he had worked for was acquired. My husband has very little experience with job hunting. I work as a Staffing recruiter so none of the information in here was news to me, but after my husband went through a month of disheartening job hunting... I ordered him this book. Sometimes it's just better to hear what you need to do from something or someone other than your wife.

As a recruiter I love this book, it goes into the concept of job hunting, interviewing, and how to decided exactly what it is you want to do. If everyone behaved as instructed in here during their interviews, interviewing candidates would not be such a harrowing experience. Many will read the interviewing part and thing "Duh, of COURSE I shower before an interview" but you would be surprised at how many do not.

The foundation of the education you will get in this book is basic social skills... now we all have them, but many of us have let them lapse or become less formal. I was also glad that he pointed out just how important and unimportant the resume is. I personally rifle through a couple of hundred resumes in a stack looking for something very specific - if I find it, you go in the very small, "I'll think about calling them later" pile. That is really the most important job your resume has, is to get you into the "I might call them pile."

There are also many self awareness tests that this book contains to help you find out a little bit more about yourself and what it is that you are looking for. There is an entire chapter devoted to the 50+ worker who either wants to return to the work force or make a change in their career. The starting your own business section was also nice, but I felt should have contained a little more information showing both the good and bad aspects of this idea. Probably the most helpful aspect of this book is that it provides websites for additional research on every topic. Hopefully those that read the book will be inclined to look into several of these websites.

For job hunters, career changers, and those curious about what else might be out there, this book is an excellent starting place. It should cover most of you basic questions and give you valuable information both about yourself and about the job market. Then the author is courteous enough to show you where to continue your research. I highly recommend this book, and believe it should be mandatory for exiting high school and college students.

Before buying this book, I was doing seemingly all I could to find a new job, yet nothing was happening. No interviews were being scheduled...not even responses saying that someone more qualified was hired. I felt like I was in the career twilight zone where my efforts were not only futile, but frustrating.

As it turns out, I was barking up the wrong tree! After purchasing this book pursuant to a good friend's advice, I realized exactly why I felt nonexistent...because I was relying on the worst methods of job hunting expecting the best results. This book provided me with those methods that are tried and true for growing professionals looking for the right position. Just one week after reading the book and using its techniques, I started getting bites...and finally, I hooked the big one!

Thank you for such an insightful, well written, easy to read book! I recommend this book for professionals young and old that are looking for that dream job and, more specifically, how to prepare themselves for the process to getting there!!!

I don't understand why this book is considered such a classic reference. I found it badly written, not that useful, and WAY too religious. The chapter about how to determine your true mission in life is ALL about God and religion. You may agree or disagree with the author's religious views, but regardless I do not think that belongs in a job-hunting book. As a disillusioned corporate worker trying to change careers, I really needed practical, real-world advice.

The book seems to written for ADD people because it keeps repeating the same things only a couple of pages later. Also, some of his advice I disagree with - he keeps saying that the Internet is not a good way to get a job. What century is he living in?? I have gotten almost all my jobs over the last 12 years through applying over the Internet (Monster, CareerBuilder, etc.)

It has a few listings of sites that may be useful, but the book overall was a waste. Unless you want to bring it to your Bible study group.

Highly recommended!
I was reluctant to use a "book" as a career guide. But after my Professor recommended this book, I bought it. The first few hours with the book itself gave me a whole new look at job search. My frustration dropped and I realized there was so much more I could try rather than just uploading resume to online job sites.
I would say that the book is targeted towards more mature audience, and almost 30% of it is not really applicable to a fresh graduating student. Still the content covered in the other 70% is definitely worth reading.
Many sentences are repeated again and again, which is annoying at times, but maybe required to get the point across. I would definitely read this book again every year, but preferably if there is a refresher edition which is more concise.

Richard Bolles' book has been around since the decade of the 1970's, yet it is not the same book... only the same title. The book continues to be up-to-date and valid for helping people find their way to meaningful employment.

I think I have an idea of what the writer is trying to accomplish but his book could have been simpler and more concise. I found the book difficult to apprehend for people frustrated in life and unsure of what to do next. I'd like to give this warning...if you aren't inclined towards religion you will have problems with this book because the author uses God as an affirmative defense for the outcome of every decision the reader has to make. I believe in God but I also believe in free will and that God does not micro-manage our life styles. That God is concerned in long term consequences resulting from poor planning or the lack of it but not necessarily in every decision we have to make. That being said if you are already aware of the passion that drives you but aren't quite sure how to bring it to fruition there are perhaps, a number of other books better suited to the task of helping you realize your full potential.

This book really helped me decide what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go with my career. I highly recommend it to anyone who is job hunting or thinking about changing careers. The best part about this book is that it updates annually so there is always new stuff to read and consider.