What Color Is Your Parachute?
by Richard N. Bolles
Updated annually for decades, this is the job-hunter's manual: self-inventory first, then networking, then the hiring interview. The 'flower exercise' for mapping your skills and preferred environments is long and worth the time. The job-search tactics are solid, if sometimes blunt about how much work it takes.
Read it if…
you are job hunting or changing fields and want a structured workbook rather than tips.
Skip it if…
you want a quick read; this is a thick, exercise-heavy manual.
Three things you will actually use
- Inventory your transferable skills with real stories.
- Reach people inside target employers before applying.
- Treat interviewing as a two-way evaluation.
Do this first
Begin the flower exercise this weekend; do not skip the skills-stories section.
Our verdict
The durable standard for job hunting; dated in spots, sound in method.
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