According to recent polls, 49 percent of U.S. adults haven’t read any books in the last 12 months and fewer had read 1-5 books in that same amount of time.
During schooling, books are the go-to source for gathering and learning new information. When we leave school, we don’t suddenly stop needing to learn new information to be successful, but there is evidence that many people
overlook books as a tool for getting ahead and staying competitive.
If you read all of the nonfiction career development books on this list (seven books in total), you’d have read more than about 81 percent of the country in the last 12 months, and at the same time developed a strong understanding of your own strengths, key job search strategies, learned how to develop your own career, and become better at marketing yourself to potential employers.
As an adult there are few topics that can be a greater investment that will be impactful to your own success and happiness than the development of your career. The following list of books is broken down into a few key categories: assessment, job search strategies, career development, and resume writing.
Career Assessment
Assessment is at the beginning of many career development programs because understanding yourself is key to being able to choose a path, choose a job, and effectively communicate about yourself to other people.
- Strengthsfinder 2.0
by Tom Rath
Part of an effective job search is understanding your strengths, how you are hard-wired to show up to work. “Strengthsfinder 2.0” comes with an access code to an online test that evaluates your core professional strengths. Once you gain deeper insights on how you differ from other candidates, you can begin to weave language about your strengths throughout your resume, cover letters, networking events and interviews. This book gives you a headstart on answering one of the most challenging questions: “What is your greatest strength?”
Job Search Strategies
It’s not just what you are looking for, but how you go about it that determines your success. The next three books take a hard look at how you get things done in order to improve your chances of finding the right job for you.
- The 2-Hour Job Search: Using Technology to Get the Right Job Faster
by Steve Dalton
Looking for a tech-savvy approach to your online job search? In addition to just looking at job openings online, Steve Dalton outlines techniques and tricks to manage an efficient and effective job search using spreadsheets, search engines, and a wide range of common technology. If you want to gain momentum in your search, this method guides you through creating a targeted list of employers, networking, and ultimately securing the interview. - The Unwritten Rules of the Highly Effective Job Search
by Orville Pierson
This book takes the best practices of professional job search consultants from one of the most widely known career services providers. If you want the advantage of working with a professional coach, but don’t have the budget, this book acts as a guide through the process and helps give you an inside track on finding job openings before they even go public. Step-by-step you’ll be able to work the plans detailed by Pierson to keep your resume from ending up in the reject pile and find a job that is the right fit for your career aspirations. - What Color Is Your Parachute? 2017: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers
by Richard N. Bolles
Regularly revised to stay current to today’s job market, “What Color is Your Parachute” is one of the most well-regarded and popular job search books. Covering topics like interviewing, salary negotiation, it’s focus is not only on the job search but the challenges faced by professionals looking to change careers. In addition, you can purchase a companion workbook to help make an inventory of your transferrable skills, your values, ideal working conditions, and establish your salary needs. Bonus: Check out the teen version and help your kids or younger colleagues get a leg up on their careers.
Professional Development
Without a clear strategy and planning, it is difficult to achieve your professional goals. Managing your own outlook, evaluating the type of environment you want to be in, and setting goals that are meaningful to you are at the heart of the next two books.
- Orbiting the Giant Hairball: a Corporate Fools Guide to Surviving with Grace
by Gordon MacKenzie
Orbiting the Giant Hairball was the brainchild of a 30-year veteran of Hallmark Cards. Gordon MacKenzie provides inspiration on navigating the waters of a large corporation while maintaining your creativity without getting ensnared by politics and drudgery. With funny first-hand accounts and color illustrations, this powerful book provides a guide on maintaining creativity throughout your professional growth. - 5: Where Will You Be Five Years from Today?
by Dan Zadra
This fun and creative book, half inspiration and half activities, can help you envision which career path will help you reach your personal and professional potential. Whether you’re looking to switch careers or just expecting some big life changes, this playbook can help you develop your long-term trajectory and set in motion a bigger plan to get yourself where you want to be.
Resume Writing Skills
Like them or not, resumes are still a critical part of any job search. Creating a resume that communicates effectively what you can do for an organization and sets you apart from the competition is worth investing in. If a resume writer isn’t in your budget, check out the next book to help you craft hire-worthy resumes and cover letters.
- The Elements of Resume Style: Essential Rules for Writing Resumes and Cover Letters That Work
by Scott Bennett
Take the advice of a seasoned hiring professional who’s seen the good and the bad in thousands of resumes. Practical advice for handling common employment issues is paired with resume strategies that work, while also pointing out the popular “tricks” that could wind up hurting your prospects. The updated version of this successful book now includes further information about social media and looking for work online.