There are a lot of great books out there – more than one person could read in a lifetime. But this page points to books that can help you work toward the kind of life you want. Every month, a different book will be highlighted. Check back, and feel free to send recommendations. Books that have helped you will probably help other people too!
“How to Get out of Job Jail: Eight ways to have the Career you’ve always Wanted”
Author: Audrey B. LeGrand
Publisher: Innovators & Motivators, Inc.
Price: $14.95
While this 95-page book is mostly geared for people who’ve had some experience in the work force, there’s plenty of good advice for those gearing up to enter it for the first time. LeGrand, a veteran human resources consultant and trainer, defines job jail as basically being stuck in a low-paying, soul-sucking job that only keeps your bills paid, leaving you with little sense of satisfaction or achievement.
The questions she poses provide veteran workers with a frame of reference for their own experiences; those yet to experience a full-time professional job will be able to get a good sense of expectations and pitfalls from those questions alone. Subsequent chapters provide basic but crucial information on business etiquette, resume creation and effective ways to gauge the work-style of those around you and calibrate your own work and communication styles in order to work most productively and effectively.
The most valuable sections of LeGrand’s book are the exercises. Readers who take the time to complete the questions about skill levels in several different areas (operations, information technology, etc.) and adopt her CARS approach to workplace achievements (Challenge, Action, Results, Scope) will end up with the ability to accurately describe their achievements and attributes on paper and in person to a potential employer.
They’ll also either develop or refine their focus on a career area and be better prepared to take the steps necessary to achieving it.
LeGrand’s emphasis is on general information, and, despite a chapter on entrepreneurial skills, is largely geared toward people looking to work for someone else. This is a good first stop for information on how to conduct a job hunt or make a career change.
For more information contact [email protected] or contact Amy Waldman at
414-297-8418.