Who said that getting professional advice from the world of the printed word is old-fashioned? Nowadays, one can get professional help once they enter the nearest bookshop. 
You’ll find the best gurus from all industries, starting with the artistic field and finishing with IT. Before you reach the bookshelves with career development sources, check the article below. Learn a variety of career-focused books and check which ones might be helpful to you.
Why Read a Professional Development Book?
Expanding one’s career resources rarely starts with books in the modern job market. Most job seekers will gladly reach out to a career advice expert or contact online resume help to make sure they land an interview. Sure, contacting a third party will increase your chances of winning your dream job. But how to move up the proverbial career ladder once you land the job?
Check the list of the books below that you can start reading right now to level up your career.
#1: ‘What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard Nelson Bolles
In 1996, this book was honored by the Library of Congress as one of the books that changed millions of lives. The book helped the readers in their job search for a perfect occupation. Call it a guide to a dream job or not, the book was at the top of New York Times bestseller lists for years.
What can you find in the book?
- Different strategies to find your ‘parachute.’ This is a word for ‘personality’ that the author intentionally uses;
- Learn everything about research and job interviewing;
- Check effective social media strategies.
#2: ‘Designing Your Life’ by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans
Did you know that every move in design processes is intentional and has its specific purpose? Designing things is mostly about making an object practical and the whole system holistic. The same goes for professional development. When expanding your career resources, you must think of the results each move brings.
What can the book teach you?
- Creating mind maps and using them for brainstorming and planning;
- Coping with failure and negative experiences;
- Using ‘design’ thinking. The book will teach you how to predict your actions and reap benefits from any situation.
#3: ‘Do What You Are’ by Paul D. Tieger, Barbara Barron, and Kelly Tieger
If you’ve always been fond of personality tests, but none of them helped you, check this book. The authors bring the meaning of personality type to a brand new level. ‘Do What You Are’ is a guide to work that brings you harmony and doesn’t compromise your values. The book is a great way to learn more about yourself and occupations that can make you happy.
Who can benefit from the book the most?
Career changers who dislike their current job and want to invest in their career. They can check case studies that prove how changing one’s occupation brings joy and fulfillment.
#4: ‘So Good They Can’t Ignore You’ by Cal Newport
The author of this book will shock every traditional career guru. An average recruiter will tell you to follow your heart and pursue a career you’re passionate about. What Newport will tell you is that loving your job comes with hard work and strong motivation. Instead of whining about how much you hate your job, better focus on your key skills.
The idea is controversial. We’d understand if you prefer contacting resume and cover letter writing services and diving into a job hunt. However, if you’re currently tired from your job, recover from the burnout. Later, use this book to reignite your passion for it.
#5: ‘The Pathfinder’ by Nicholas Lore
Regardless of your work experience, this book is a great source to check whether you’re on the right career path. Lore has created a compilation of career-finding tests and diagnostic tools. Due to the book, you’ll find why your current job position brings you no joy. You’ll also find how to land a job that lets your skills and talents shine bright.
Why choose ‘The Pathfinder’?
- The book is great for all ages and occupations;
- You’ll get successful career advice;
- You’ll use self-assessment tools and discover the truth about your personality, interests, and aspirations.
#6: ‘Switchers: How Smart Professionals Change Careers’ by Dr. Dawn Graham
As you’ve learned from the title, the book is a perfect source for career changers. The author will equip you with advice on how to change a career painlessly. In the book, you’ll find how to compose a bot-beating resume that will attract the recruiter’s attention. The book will inspire you with success stories and tell you how to move beyond the basic job-searching tools. In the end, there are different rules for career changers. What are they? Find them in the book!
#7: ‘Find Your Why’ by Simon Sinek
A top leader of business thought, Sinek, showers the concept of inspiration with special attention. The book targets leaders and team members who lost their focus. The author suggests a simple strategy of asking yourself about the reasons. For instance, the reason you wake up in the morning and go to your workplace. In other words, the book is a guide to lost motivation.
Final Thoughts
Reading books will never get out of date. All because buying a book is convenient. You fill your commute time with education and learn new skills. Meanwhile, a professional development book is perfect if you are undergoing a career change.
We hope the article was helpful to you. Good luck!
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