What Color Is Your Parachute? 2016

There is a reason this book is so popular, and had been in print and updated since it came out. How can something be so universal, so applicable to all job seekers? That's a big question, but trust me, if you are trying to find a new job, this book will have something that can help you. One example is that job hunters and employers are looking for different things, but their roles are unchanged by time. Knowing and being aware of these things will make a difference in how you can job hunt better. I myself am starting my career right now, and I can see that what he's saying is true and well-analyzed. The author cites quantified success rates of different strategies to help make his point.

Almost every word of this book is helpful. Not every tip will be useful for one person, but this is a comprehensive reference, and having this thorough, up-to-date guide is one of the best tools there could be. That is, you don't have to apply every single thing, but just read it through – he made it quick and easy to read, and that's (one reason) why it's so good. What can I say that hasn't probably been said by other readers and reviewers?

“What Color Is Your Parachute? [year]” is highly effective, and its carefully designed formatting saves you from over-highlighting. It might be stuff you already know, but could hear again and try to act on. When something seems like it is only given a short explanation, read on, and you will most likely find more of what you wanted to see. He even refers to the page numbers to help you find these continuations. The only thing I found a little annoying was the constant mention of “since 2008,” when there has been, I believe, an edition of this book every year since then or close to that. Also, the non-cartoon black-and-white sketches thrown in don’t always make sense, but are more like art hanging in an office space. The blue pages at the beginning of each chapter have sometimes relevant quotes, but capitalizing the first letter on each line makes them read as poetry rather than direct advice. Chapter 7 and the flower exercise are arguably most valuable, and everything after that supports those exercises. The “blue pages” are appendices, which you can skip, especially if you’re not religious. “What Color Is Your Parachute?” is still an excellent reference book, hopeful and encouraging for all job seekers.

Note: I received a free copy of this title through BloggingForBooks in exchange for an honest review.