Books to Read When You Want to Change Careers
The day comes for just about everyone, at least once in their life. Whether the career transition you’re making is drastic, like that of a burger flipper to a CEO, or more of a natural next step, there are a few ways to prepare yourself for your upcoming new world. One key way is to do some reading and research. The more you read about what to expect in a change, the better off you’ll be at handling any “surprises” along the way. To help you in this process, here’s a list of five books to read when you’re getting ready to change careers:
What Type Am I? Discover Who You Really Are by Renee Baron
If you’ve never taken a Myers-Briggs personality test, I highly suggest you do so, as it will help you in your career change. Better understanding yourself by using your Myers-Briggs type is the key to performing better and becoming the best you that you can be. Renee Baron takes the sixteen different types and explains them in-depth to give you a clear understanding of your type. Read it. Once you’ve discovered who you really are, you’ll discover who you really want to be.
What’s Next? Follow Your Passion and Find Your Dream Job by Kerry Hannon
This book is devoted to understanding why people often “escape” to a different career. Often, Hannon finds that the change has nothing to do with finances, but is more a matter of the heart. Read countless stories of people who’ve made drastic job changes, how they managed to do so, and if they’re finally happy with the choice they made.
The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work by Shawn Achor
The principle of this book can be summed up as: Let happiness help you succeed. Instead of happiness being the end goal, have it be the catalyst for the change. Shawn Achor uses seven principles of thinking positively to help you become more successful at the changes you’re making and at those you’ve already made.
What Color Is Your Parachute? 2014: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers by Richard N. Bolles
This book is an absolute must for anyone out there currently looking for a job or thinking about a career change. More of a handbook for how to go about all of the job search basics, this manual will show you how to utilize up-to-date techniques, like tips for your own social media marketing strategies, to help you land your next position. The book is based on three main questions: What? Where? How? Use these three questions to guide your next step and along the way, you’ll find out just what color your parachute is.
The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success by Nicholas Lore
If you’re looking for the ultimate guide in making a career change or becoming happier in the job you currently have, check out this book. Designed with you in mind, the book offers great exercises for evaluating where you are now and just where you want to be going. It’s a great resource for every part of the job searching process, from writing your resume to landing that interview.
For those brave people out there who are actively looking for and pursuing change, try these five books to get you started in your process. Making the change and taking that leap of faith can be difficult and lonely if done with little preparation. Start your preparation today by perusing these titles and may you find your way to a happier you.
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