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

~ Richard N. Bolles (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In the last four years, the United States has lost 2.3 million jobs—the most in any four-year period since Herbert Hoover and the Great Depression. Currently, millions of workers are unemployed both in the United States and worldwide and the problem isn’t likely to abate anytime soon. In the 2005 edition of his legendary job-hunting book, WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE? Richard Bolles presents a detailed plan for facing this societal problem head-on, declaring that we must each begin by mastering this new world for ourselves and then, once empowered, share our knowledge with others to empower the world.

In PARACHUTE 2005, Bolles offers a completely new book for this uncertain job market, laying out a simple, step-by-step plan for finding meaningful work and mission despite our economy’s jobless recovery. Featuring fresh explanations of old concepts and the introduction of new ideas, Bolles defines the distinctions between "resume jobs" and "grapevine jobs," between "passive job-hunting" and "active job-hunting," between "weak ties" and "strong ties," and much more. These are not normal times. And this is not your normal PARACHUTE. It faces squarely the "workquake" that is shaking up the job market around the world, and gives not only simple steps but steady hope.

From the Publisher

*A completely revised and restructured PARACHUTE for 2005.

*Focuses on the rising problem of unemployment in the economy’s current jobless recovery.

*Offers new techniques to help job seekers find meaningful work and mission.

*200,000 copy first printing.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press; Rev Upd edition (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580086152
• ISBN-13: 978-1580086158
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #420,675 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It will give you hope and confidence, May 21, 2005

By	Robert Wynkoop (Washington State) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

39 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The single best book in the field, November 15, 2004

By	T. Dayton - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A bit broad, but still an excellent resource, May 10, 2005

By	Chandra Prasad (New Haven, CT) - See all my reviews

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.