Publication Date:September 22, 2009 Availability:Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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ISBN13: 9781580089876
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Condition: New
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Product Description There is no book that is more vital to job-hunting in this economy than WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE? It has been honored and celebrated for nearly 40 years, but in our current global recession, the reason why it is so popular becomes painfully apparent: It works! People buy the book because it really, really works! Every year it has more timely and more helpful information than the year before, because it is updated, and often dramatically rewritten, for the current job market. But it always brings with it decades of experience and a worldwide network of contacts.
In good times, people use this book because it helps them find a new direction, change careers, and then move on with life. But it is in hard times that the book's true value is revealed. It teaches ways to find jobs when supposedly there are no jobs, and it provides a step-by-step plan (called the Flower Exercise) that gives people the edge over other job-hunters. Yes, in hard times like these, PARACHUTE becomes a lifesaver and a survival guide.
DisappointingAugust 5, 2010 A. Ashley 4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I've heard about this book since I was a kid and finally decided to pick up the "Hard Times" edition to help my husband with his job search. I was shocked at how little it helped at all.
While I understand the value of networking, I don't know anyone who gets an interview before presenting a resume -- at least not in my or my husband's fields. The idea that you would only write a resume "if you must" and that it should be something that you "leave behind" after the interview is contradictory to the fact that most employers ask for one.
I really didn't like the fact that Bolles only briefly mentioned a cover letter and called it an "alternative" to a "classic resume." A cover letter is a letter that *covers* your resume and gives you the opportunity to catch the reader's eye and explain why you desire to work for the company/organization -- it is not optional and it is not a replacement for a resume; It serves a totally different purpose.
It also bothered me that Bolles didn't really explain his methodology for the studies on job search effectiveness. He explained each time what the percentage meant (that ___% of job-seekers will find a job using this method if they ONLY use this method) but not really how he got those percentages. It seemed very unscientific. Maybe I missed that information? I don't see how he could include those kinds of numbers without a more thorough review of methodology.
The part that bothered me the most was the one example that he gave of what he considered an effective resume -- an outdated resume that displayed a heavy dose of sexism. It was like he was so out of touch with modern society that he didn't even realize the inappropriateness of that resume.
It seemed, overall, that his information was outdated -- or at least specific only to certain fields. I've worked with a lot of hiring managers and none of them have ever posted a job as a "last resort." It's the first thing they do when they find out that there is going to be a vacancy -- unless they have an internal person in mind. I just found Bolles' advice to be universally . . . bad.
Not much newJuly 23, 2010 Donald F. Freeman(Morris Plains, NJ USA) 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I didn't read the 2009 version, but I'll bet there isn't a lot different between the two. I've never understood the need to put out a new version of a guide like this every year, or every other year for that matter. I read the 1997 and 2009 versions of Martin Yates' Knock 'Em Dead, and even after 12 years there wasn't much new. Authors should keep their small updates on their websites and publish a new version only every three years at the earliest.
Waaaay to religous, not enough info.July 15, 2010 Cupcakes for tomorow 2 out of 5 found this review helpful
I think the author is getting to the final years of his life, because he talks a lot about God and where your place is in the universe without much respect to other religions. It's dominantly Christian with a lot chopped out from his earlier books. This is definitely watered down to meed the needs of the age of "instant gratification" internet clicking society.
While "What color is your parachute" continually gets updated too often listening to every little nitpick, it loses out on essential information and compensates through short (often redundant religious) information that doesn't really help. Plus, the links to websites provided aren't that great ... most of the time it's mediocre stuff made from the 90's (no html 5, just really old fashion flash or out-of-date surveys or questionnaires).
Get "Pathfinder" by nicholas lore instead!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The author clearly shows mastered experience in career counseling (in fact, he has his own professional institute called "Rockport Institute").
The book is a bit long, but like a Harry Potter book, it's just filled with life experiences and engaging metaphorical examples with easy to understand lessons and exercises.
CONS: he does try to market "Pathfinder" a bit too much like it's some kind of mystic tool you got to buy, but I'd just ignore that and get on to the life stories. Other than that everything else is pretty good.
If I had to spend $20 on a career book, I'd choose "Pathfinder" by Nicholas Lore, career coach extraordinaire over any other book (or school counselor for that matter) any day!
The pathfinder book is perfect for high schoolers, lost college students, (or any student for that matter) or person who got laid off and needs to be on the rebound to learn how to market oneself. This book has it all!
Not for Veteran Job SeekersJune 29, 2010 QueenBean84(LaFayette, NY United States) 2 out of 3 found this review helpful
As someone in the middle of my career, this book was not for me. I don't need to figure out where I want to work, what special knowledge I have, what people-environments suit me best, what working conditions I prefer and what salary meets my needs. I know all this about myself, I've known for quite some time. I also don't understand why there are some people who buy this book every year. If you have to buy it every year, I don't think you are doing the exercises properly!
However, I think this book would be a must have for anyone deciding on a career path for the first time. You really need to know who you are, and this book helps you out. It is also great for career or industry changers.
One thing I have to add, even though the author already explains this, is his total misuse of commas. He states "commas......are deliberately used according to my own rules". Well, guess what Mr. Bolles? This book isn't FOR YOU, it's for YOUR READERS!! This misuse makes the book difficult to read as you are constantly pausing where you shouldn't be.
Good but not the bestJune 7, 2010 JustReading 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I know this is a classic, but I personally got more out of Find Your Perfect Job. It fit me better as a young professional, and included information about business school and law school that Parachute does not have. Heck, the "Perfect Job Profile" in FYPJ was superior (for me) to Parachute's career-deciding part. This is the book I'm talking about, it came out this year: Find Your Perfect Job: The Inside Guide for Young Professionals
