Best Career Books to Read + Factors You Need to Consider for Successful Career Selection
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Starting a career and choosing the right path for yourself can be difficult. Some of us may not know what career we want to pursue, others do but their dream career is not at all what they expected, or some of us just wants a change. Any scenario you may be in, these career books can help you create a career list and/or even lead you to a profession you never have even considered.
Career books offer insights, guidance, and real-world advice to make this big decision a little easier. In this article, we will be reviewing the best, highly rated books that will equip you with valuable information to help you navigate career planning and exploration! Plus, we’ve added some essential factors to think about for picking the right career for you.
WITH THAT SAID, HERE ARE THE BEST CAREER BOOKS TO READ + FACTORS YOU NEED TO CONSIDER FOR SUCCESSFUL CAREER SELECTION!
Table of Contents
- THE BEST CAREER BOOKS
- for finding meaning and purpose, to anyone feeling stuck in their career
- for anyone starting their career & planning for long-term success
- for anyone feeling lost about what they want to do
- for anyone looking for the right, successful career
- for finding a career that best suits your personality
- for anyone looking to boost personal and career success
- FACTORS TO CONSIDER FOR SUCCESSFUL CAREER SELECTION
- TO WRAP IT UP
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’
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THE BEST CAREER BOOKS
FOR FINDING MEANING AND PURPOSE, TO ANYONE FEELING STUCK IN THEIR CAREER
Designing Your Life: How to Build A Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett
What It’s About:
- Finding what you love to do
- Making a plan to follow through and do it
- Learning how to adapt and adjust when things change
Why You Might Like This Must-Read Career Book:
- Find Your Path: It helps you figure out what you really want to do with your life and career.
- Build a Life You Love: This book teaches you how to make choices that lead to a happy, fulfilling life.
- Real, Practical Steps: Bill Burnett doesn’t just talk about ideas, he gives you exercises and activities to actually help you make changes.
- Guides to understand what you enjoy and what you’re good at
- Steps to make a life plan that you can really follow
- Tips to adjust and keep persevering when things don’t go the way you expect or want them to
Why It’s A Great Career Book for College Students, Young Adults, and Readers:
- Helps you make choices that are good for you, not just what others expect you to do.
- Full of real-life stories and examples that make it easy to relate to.
Overall Thoughts: Designing Your Life is an amazing, well written book that makes you feel like you’re actually having a conversation with someone who understands what it’s like to still be figuring out life and a career. It is full of great advice, real talk and applicable steps you can take to build a life and career that best suits you. It gives you the confidence to not just dream big, but to make those dreams come true. Give it a read!
FOR ANYONE STARTING THEIR CAREER & PLANNING FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS
The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World by Dorie Clerk
What It’s About:
- Planning for the long run in your career
- Thinking big, not just what’s happening right now
- Learning how to be patient in the process and persistent
Why You Might Like This Must-Read Career Book:
- Teaches Long-Term Thinking: It helps you think about where you want to be yeaaarrsss from now, not just today.
- Career Guidance: Offers advice on making choices that will help you down the road, not just quick and easy fixes.
- Real-Life Tips: This book includes examples and advice from people who’ve been successful in their careers/professions.
What’s Inside:
- Advice on developing patience and remaining committed to your goals
- Tips on staying focused and not getting distracted by quick, easy solutions
- Steps to build a successful long-term career plan
Why It’s A Great Career Book for College Students, Young Adults, and Readers:
- Great for understanding how the decisions you make today can affect your future
- Helps you learn to plan and think about the bigger picture of your life and career
- Offers a fresh, long-term perspective on success
Overall Thoughts: If you are just starting out and want to build a career that lasts, this book will equip you with the right tools and ideas to develop the habit of thinking long-term. It’s a friendly guide, that actually makes sense, for making the right decisions for your future. It is definitely worth a read! I honestly wish I read it before going into college and declaring my first major.
FOR ANYONE FEELING LOST ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT TO DO
I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It by Barbara Sher
What It’s About:
- Figuring out what you really want in life
- Making a plan to go after what you want
- How to get unstuck if you’re not sure what to do next
Why You Might Like This Must-Read Career Book:
- Find Your Passion: Helps you to explore what you’re truly passionate about, even if you’re not yet sure what that is.
- Practical Guidance: Gives you actual exercises and activities to try, that works!
- Friendly Advice: Reads like talking to a wise friend who really understands you.
What’s Inside:
- Quizzes and questions to help you discover what you want
- Stories and examples that make it feel real and relatable
- Steps to turn your dreams into real life, pursuable plans
Why It’s A Great Career Book for College Students, Young Adults, and Readers:
- Helps if you’re not sure what you want to do after graduating
- Guides you in finding a path that fits you, book of self-discovery
- Encourages you to dream bit and then shows you how to make it a reality
Overall Thoughts: If you have ever felt like you don’t know what you should be doing, but you know you can do anything, this book is for you. Tap into your potential, discover what you really want and just go for it! This is one of the best career book to help guide you through some big life decisions and inspire you to live your life purposefully!
FOR ANYONE LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT, SUCCESSFUL CAREER
What Color is Your Parachute? Your Guide to a Lifetime of Meaningful Work and Career Success by Richard N. Bolles
What It’s About:
- Finding the right job for you
- Building a professional resume that stands out
- Acing interviews and networking like a pro
Why You Might Like This Must-Read Career Book:
- Job Search Guide: Offers step-by-step help for the entire job search process.
- Find the Perfect Fit: Helps you to figure out what jobs match your unique skills and interests.
- Real, Practical Help: Packed with tips, exercises and examples to make the job search an easier process.
What’s Inside:
- Quizzes to find jobs that best suits you
- Guides to make your resume shine
- Tips for interviews, networking, salary negotiations
Why It’s A Great Career Book for College Students, Young Adults, and Readers:
- Perfect if you are looking for your first job or a new career path
- Written in an easy-to-understand way
- Newly updated, so it’s always got the latest job search tips
Overall Thoughts: What Color is Your Parachute is more than a book, it is your career coach. This book has the tools, tips, and encouragement for your job hunt journey. Pick up this book and get to searching!
FOR FINDING A CAREER THAT BEST SUITS YOUR PERSONALITY
Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type by Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron
What It’s About:
- Understanding your personality type
- Finding careers that fits you well
- Making your work more satisfying and fulfilling
Why You Might Like This Must-Read Career Book:
- Find Your Fit: Find a career that feels right, not just what’s popular or pays well.
- Easy to Understand: Uses personality types you might already know to help you find your career path.
- Real Life Stores: Shares examples of people’s career planning and exploration journey to find the right profession for them.
What’s Inside:
- Personality type quizzes
- Guides to find careers that match who you are
- Tips to make your job search more successful
Why It’s A Great Career Book for College Students, Young Adults, and Readers:
- Helps you to think about who you are and what is important to you
- Friendly and encouraging
- Perfect for career planning, career exploration and self-actualization
Overall Thoughts: Being one of the best career book out there, this will help you find the right job that best suits your personality, not just what provides more money and a higher status. It is about finding a career that you really care about and will love. If you want to make your work life happier and more fulfilling, give this book a go!
CAREER PLANNING & EXPLORATION: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
FOR ANYONE LOOKING TO BOOST PERSONAL AND CAREER SUCCESS
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
What It’s About:
- Developing seven key habits to improve your life and work
- Building better relationships
- Taking charge of your own success
Why You Might Like This Must-Read Career Book:
- Timeless Advice: These seven habits are classic wisdom that never will be outdated.
- Grow as a Person: Helps you to become a better friend, family member and worker.
- Real Steps to Success: Practical and easy-to-follow, not just empty words
What’s Inside:
- Detailed explanations of each habit
- Examples, stories and illustrations that make the habits feel real and doable
- Exercises to help you practice what you learn
Why It’s A Great Career Book for College Students, Young Adults, and Readers:
- Helps you to be prepared for the real world of work and relationships
- Easily relatable
- Practical, realistic advice that is perfect for real-life challenges
Overall Thoughts: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is about work and life. It is to help guide you to being a better person and succeeding at everything you do and commit to. This book is a great start to a successful career, successful relationships and a more productive everyday life. Read, learn and apply these 7 habits that will be your guide to career success!
FACTORS TO CONSIDER FOR SUCCESSFUL CAREER SELECTION
Understanding Yourself: Assess your skills, passions, and values. Knowing yourself is the number one step in career exploration.
Market Research and Industry Trends: Understanding the current trends in your desired industry can guide your career planning. Find what roles are in demand and if there are any emerging fields.
Networking and Mentorship: Do not be afraid to build relationships with professionals in your field. They will provide invaluable insights into career development and success. Connect with mentors who can guide and encourage you on your path.
Work-Life Balance Consideration: Consider what work-life balance means to you. Choose the career that best aligns with your lifestyle and personal short-term/long-term goals.
Ongoing Education and Skill Development: The landscape of work is continuing to change year after year. Invest in ongoing education to stay relevant and up to date in your field.
TO WRAP IT UP
There are hundreds of career books that can benefit you greatly in your career search. You can dig up more treasures like these ones on amazon’s career books page. Choose what you believe is best for you! Conduct your research, read the reviews, get a glimpse of what is inside and get started on your career journey!
I know it can seem overwhelming, but these books will make it less difficult and more bearable.
When choosing a career, remember, it is about discovering what ignites your passion and what aligns with your values. Adapt to change, embrace it and view every obstacle, every failure as stepping stones toward success. Evolve personally and professionally every step of the way. We are here to support you in every way we can. You’ve got this!
love, Jas Joy
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