My 4 Favorite Career Change Books
For those of you that know me, you know that I’m a book junkie. My bookshelves are overflowing and I am always looking for recommendations and scoping out my new options on Amazon’s used book list, the library or at my favorite local independent bookstore (Brookline Booksmith).
This week I thought I’d share with you the list of my current favorites around career change – a topic near and dear to all of our hearts. Here are some that inspire me and helped me manage my own career change process (as well as those of my clients).
Escape From Cubical Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur by Pamela Slim – Pam Slim is a business owner, blogger and coach. She spoke directly to my soul with her book (which grew out of her blog). She can inspire even the most drained of us to take a first step towards escaping the gray walls of corporate America. Not convinced, Pam has graciously made Chapter 1 available as a free download from her website, it’s worth the read.
The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris – love him or hate him, Tim Ferris is onto something. There’s no sugar coating, there’s no hand holding. This is a straight up, 
in your face challenge to get off the gerbil wheel and change your life dramatically. I will admit I only know one person personally who’s packed up her belongings in storage to travel the world while she works remotely but even if you don’t want to go that far, this book made me think in a way no other had in a long time.
Now What? 90 days to a New Life Direction by Laura Berman Fortgang – Now What? is a classic. Laura Berman Fortgang was one of the first coaches I know that talked about career change in this way. Her book is practical, easy to use on your own, with your coach or with a 
group of other career changers.
Get Hired Now! A 28-Day Program for Landing the Job You Want by CJ Hayden – CJ Hayden knows how to set up simple and easy systems to make change. As a long-time fan of Get Client Now! (for filling your business pipeline), Get Hired Now! is just as simple to use for managing your job search. She 
gives you worksheets to use, suggestions to choose from and helps you build customized 28-day plans for getting that new job sooner rather than later.
There are many other great books on this topic. What are your favorite books that have supported you through a career change or job search?
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5 Responses to “My 4 Favorite Career Change Books”
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I loved both “Escape from Cubicle Nation” (Pam Slim) and “The 4-Hour Work Week” (Tim Ferriss)! The former is a great, practical guide to escaping corporate America, while the latter is the kind of book that gives me the energy to take the plunge. I also love “Finding Your Own North Star” by Martha Beck. It isn’t a career change or job search book per se, but it is very helpful if you aren’t sure what direction you want to go next. Thanks!
Carly –
Great resources for anyone thinking about making a career change. I love the Four Hour Work Week – it shows possibilities beyond the conventional. I still think that What Color is Your Parachute is worth a look. Great post – keep em coming – and just do it!
Phil
Thanks Phil! What Color is Your Parachute is a classic! Its been years since I read it and you’re reminding me its worth another look.
Carly, thanks for the nice recommendation for Get Hired Now! I’m pleased to be mentioned alongside Laura Berman Fortgang’s and Tim Ferriss’s books, both of which I also recommend.
Thank you CJ! I’m a big fan of both Get Hired Now! and Get Clients Now! and have not only put them to good use myself but have also recommended them to friends and clients. Thanks for creating such simple and easy to use systems!