Replies to my LinkedIn Question: What Books Would You Recommend to Job-Seekers...

I recently asked LinkedIn users to share books they'd recommend to someone recently laid off. Here are the replies to my questions:

If you could recommend two books to someone who's recently been laid off, what would they be?

In the virtual sea of career management and professional development books available to job-seekers, which two would you recommend? I personally recommend:

1. "Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change" by William Bridges
2. "Now, Discover Your Strengths" by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton

Thanks for your help! Terry

www.job-spot-seattle.com http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Job_Spot_Seattle/
www.women-veterans-empowerment-network.com

---- Background ----
I will take these LinkedIn answers and comments and share them on my Job Spot Seattle yahoo blog: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Job_Spot_Seattle/ to help members become more successful in their job search. Please answer publicly if you'd like to be quoted, Feel free to include a link to your webpage. If you want to answer but have your name left confidential, please state this in your response.

------ Answers ------

Ariel Nievera Owner, Ariel Consulting Inc. and Computer Software Specialist

Start being active and call your senators/congress representatives. No amount of training can help an IT unemployed professional. The only way to fix the problem is to cancel all guest worker visas and send them home. These are guest workers on H1b and L1 visas, they are not immigrants. America has a choice to start helping Americans first before anybody else. If Obama cancels these visas it will open up jobs in Information Technology, Engineering, Architecture and Science. Obama should also give tax benefits for those companies that bring back work into the US.

David Pinkley The Resume Sage. What does your resume say about you?

Terry, What a good question. Here are two recommendations from The Resume Sage: 1. What Color is Your Parachute by Dick Bolles. Because it's a classic for job seekers. 2. Any author that helps you relax - Jane Austin, J. K. Rowling, Robert Ludlum. (Insert your favorite author here.) I personally prefer James Michener. The longer the book the better. Because you need an escape from the frustrating and sometimes intense moments during your job search. -David www.TheResumeSage.com (Site is being upgraded now, but will be up again tomorrow.)

Andy Robinson
Executive Coach - Helping Leaders Excel and Deliver Maximum Value. Helping Leaders Successfully Navigate Career Change.

Two books that I would highly recommend to anyone who's been recently laid off include: Liz' Lynch's excellent book on highly effective networking practices and processes -- "Smart Networking." Frances Cole Jones' book -- "How to Wow" -- which offers strategies and tactics for effectively presenting your ideas, persuading your "audience," and perfecting your image. I'm recommending both of these books to my existing Career Transition Coaching Clients. Visit my blog, Career Success! at www.AndyRobinsonCoach.com which offer a weekly review of RECENTLY RELEASED BOOKS highly relevant to career transitions and career development. See also: www.AndyOnLinkedIn.com www.AndyOnTheRadio.com www.AndyOnTwitter.com Andy.Robinson@CRGLeaders.com All the best....

Remy Lang Data Storage and TSM Specialist at ING

None. I'd recommend people to go out and find a job, build a network, study: anything active and constructive to increase the person's chances to get back to work.

Marty Schnoor Senior Training Specialist at USDA

Stregthsfinder2.0 by Tom Rath Do Put your Strengths to Work by Marcus Buckingham Both have online instruments to allow you to individualize the books "prescriptions" If nothing else it will give you an idea of what you are good at and help you decide what you want to do.


John S. Rajeski
APAC Business Development / Marketing Professional Photographer Global Citizen

Good day Terry, 1) "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl - a brilliant book about humanities' capacity to use suffering(s) as the basis for positive change (his inquiry was largely spurred whilst being in a concentration camp during WWI - which eventually became the basis for the Third Major School of Psycho-Therapy behind Freud and Jung's work). 2) "Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters" - an excellent career development resource for conducting a successful (non-conventional) job search. I hope these help, John S. Rajeski
Links:
http://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/080701429X
http://www.amazon.com/Guerrilla-Marketing-Job-Hunters-Unconventional/dp/047...
http://rajeski.com/


Daniel Bloom SCRP, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
6 Sigma Certified Human Capital Professional seeking opportunity to assist HR to move to the Strategic Partner Table

Terry, Have several recommendations for you 1) As others have said Marcus Buckingham's book 2) Find Your Perfect Work by Paul Edwards. It has a short survey in it which is almost uncanny in the results it develops. 3) The Mark Hansen Trilogy: The Aladdin Factor, Dare to Win and the Power of Focus.

Tim Holloway VP, Engineering at The Gaming Krib
Considering current sentiment, I'd skip the self-help stuff and get copies of War and Peace and Ulysses. It's going to be a long haul. Might as well improve your mind. Not that I've anything against self-help books. Just never found them to be that much practical help.

Joe Hafner
Personal Branding and Career Development Consultant
Great book about the changing world of work, what is valuable in this transition and how to improve your marketability: A Whole New Mind (by Dan Pink).

Kiyomi Mizukami
Executive Assistant to 3 Chairmen/CEOs & Executive Producers w/ 8+ yrs of progressive responsibilities@Sony, MGM, & Fox

I'll suggest a couple that are directly related to careers and some that address more intra-personal topics. 1) Good in a Room by Stephanie Palmer - It's hands-down the best book about how to sell yourself, be good in meetings/interviews, conduct effective networking, and she shares insider business etiquette and tips. 2) Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi - A book about networking and finding and maintaining your professional contacts or relationships. 3) The Speed of Trust by Covey - A book about how to be a great leader (and employee) and what it means when one is or isn't. 4) Smart Couples Finish Rich by David Bach - A book about practical advice on finances and saving. While one is job hunting it's a great time to sit down and do all those projects one means to, but never does such as reviewing finances, health insurance, living will, etc. 5) What Should I Do with My Life by Po Bronson - A book of true stories on how and why people chose their careers or changed professions.

Hope you find these answers helpful!

Happy Networking!

- Terry

If you have a moment, please visit Job Spot Seattle and WoVEN on LinkedIn:

http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=1236757http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=978307
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Job_Spot_Seattle/