BERMAN LARSON KANE
Career Report June 2016
Feature Story
CAREER ADVICE BECOMES A SUMMER MUST-READ
Summer is typically a time for breezy novels and thrillers. But this season, books dishing out career advice and inspiration are making a strong showing, as people young and old, employed and not, seek an edge in the job market.
While overall book sales were down for the year through April, retailers report that sales of career-burnishing books have been on the rise.
Clearly, the season will bring fresh demand for classics like “What Color Is Your Parachute,” a comprehensive guide to job-hunting by Richard N. Bolles that has sold 10 million copies since it was first published in 1970, and “Knock em’ Dead: The Ultimate Job Search Guide,” by Martin Yale. Both titles are updated annually.
Moms who are returning to work can pick up “Back on the Career Track,” by Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin, while baby boomers might opt for “Finding a Job After 50,” by Jeanette Woodward.
And while there are books for most every situation, publishers are rushing out new titles to address demand from anxious consumers.
Wiley & Sons “Get the Job You Want, Even When No One’s Hiring,” by Ford R. Myers. Ten Speed Press in Berkeley, Calif., has career books.. One of them, “Strategies for a Successful Career Change,” by Martha E. Mangelsdorf, a journalist, grew out of her experience writing a monthly column profiling successful career changers. The other, “The Job-Hunter’s Survival Guide,” by Bolles, is a pared-down guide for job-seekers who may not have time or patience to read his 400-page “Parachute” book.
Buying a book will not magically find you a job, of course, but the best career guides offer time-tested advice, exercises to pinpoint strengths and interests, and a motivational boost.
Mark N. New, a career counselor and recruiter in Belle Mead, N.J., who has read dozens of career advice books, said job seekers can pick up useful nuggets on the mechanics of an employment search from books like “Parachute” and “Knock’ em Dead.” For those who have recently lost jobs, he suggested reading a motivational book from authors like William Bridges, a consultant who has written several books on managing change, or Stephen R. Covey, author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”
“You have to emotionally be in the right place to put your best foot forward,” New said. He also urged job-seekers to become adept at social networking and personal branding. Here, he said, a book like “Me 2.0” by Dan Schawbel, can help.
NEWS FROM BLK
Although recent announced job creation numbers were the weakest seen in months, we at Berman Larson Kane are anticipating a very active summer for job-seekers. We continue to witness a skill shortage in an increasing number of disciplines as the talent pool continues to grow shallower.
Bob Larson. CPC President of Berman Larson Kane says “I believe this will be the most favorable summer for job-seekers in the past decade”. As I talk to clients they are all asking us to line up talent and keep the pool full so they can hire on fast and on demand.