Career Change Books and Resources
Here are my recommendations
 As you can imagine, I have read quite a lot of career change books and similar career resources in nearly 25 years as a careers professional. As always, there are some really excellent ones which I am only too pleased to recommend, some that are quite helpful but maybe don't have a lot new to offer and some that are really not worth wasting time and money on at all.
I'd like to help you to make informed choices about the career change books and other related resources you turn to as you work on moving to your new career. I realise that we are all different and that some things will appeal more to one person than another, so I have made an effort to include some variety here. Some resources are very specifically on the career change process, some focus more on the job search that may be the last part of the career changing journey and some are broader personal development materials which I have found very useful and which I think are still relevant to career changers. Alongside each one, I have added a few notes to give you a flavour of what you will be getting. I know a website is not quite as much fun as browsing round a bookstore, but I hope you will get some ideas and inspiration to help you as you travel the career change path. And if there are any career change books or resources that you would like to recommend, please let me know by filling in the form at the end of this page.
Career Change & Job Search
101 Ways To Enhance Your Career - David Riklan et al
 | This book is a wonderful treasure trove of advice and encouragement from 101 professional career experts from around the world - and I am proud to say that I am one of them.
Whether you are desperate to do something completely new, just need help with your resume and with interviews, stepping up to a leadership role or dealing with challenging situations and people in your current job - this book has something for you. Read more... |
The Work We Were Born To Do - Nick Williams
  | A brilliant guide to finding more meaning and purpose in your work.
Nick takes you through his 12 principles of the work you were born to do and will leave you feeling inspired and motivated. Read more... |
Becoming An Inspired Entrepreneur - Nick Williams
 | Nick’s book is a big read (366 pages).
If you'd rather start with a smaller taster of Nick’s approach, I recommend you download his free e-course which is available from his Inspired Entrepreneur website. Read more... |
How To Get A Job You'll Love - John Lees
Go To Work On Your Career - Andy Gilbert, Nicky Frisby & Kathryn Roberts
Wishcraft or How To Get What Your Really Want - Barbara Sher
  | One of my favourite career change books. Barbara shows you that it is possible to turn your life and career around.
With case studies and strategies, Barbara's practical programme shows you how to make your dreams happen. Read more on Amazon.co.uk
Read more on Amazon.com |
Screw Work, Let's Play - John Williams
  | John Williams shows you that work does not have to be drudgery and that it is possible to make a living doing the things you love.
Screw Work, Let's Play is your blueprint to create a work life full of fun, freedom and creativity.Read more on Amazon.co.uk
Read more on Amazon.com |
Making A Living Without A Job - Barbara Winter
  | Turn your dreams into profits. This book offers step-by-step guidance on making a living by working when, where and how you want.
Barbara Winters shows you how to break through the mental barriers to being your own boss and choose the entrepreneurial endeavour that is right for you.
Read more on Amazon.co.uk
Read more on Amazon.com |
Work At Home Mom's Masters Course
 | Are you a mother thinking about ways you might earn some income while you stay at home and care for your children?
This free book shows you how you can achieve that, just like many others before you, with the help of an SBI website. Read more... |
Career Renegade - Jonathan Fields
  | Jonathan Fields shows you how you can pay the bills while pursuing your passion. If you are the kind of person who wants to do things your way then this book is for you.
Find out how to use simple technologies to access a world-wide market, test for demand and then grow your idea on the side till you are ready to go solo.
Read more on Amazon.co.uk
Read more on Amazon.com |
Finding Square Holes - Anita Houghton
 | Are you in a fix in your career, either trying to decide what to do or disgruntled with your current job?
In this book, Anita Houghton uses interesting and practical exercises to show you how to discover who you really are to find the perfect career.
Read more on Amazon.co.uk
Read more on Amazon.com |
And What Do You Do? - Barrie Hopson & Katie Ledger
  | Do you think a portfolio career is for you? This book will help you to find out if it is - and then make it happen.
The authors take you through the 10 steps to creating a portfolio career which will allow you to use all your skills and passions and create a perfect work/life balance.
Read more on Amazon.co.uk
Read more on Amazon.com |
Get Hired Now! - C J Hayden & Frank Traditi
  | If you have decided what your new career is to be, then it is time to get practical. This book is all about getting to grips with the job search.
Hayden & Traditi offer you a focused 28 day programme taking you through the core components of a successful job search. The book will ensure that you know exactly what to do and when and will keep you motivated as you move forwards.
Read more on Amazon.co.uk
Read more on Amazon.com |
Working 5-9 - Emma Jones
  | Are you yearning to set up your own business but feel you can't risk ditching the day job just yet? Emma Jones' book is just what you need as it shows you how to start your business on a part-time basis while you are still working.
The book profiles 60 people who are doing just that - running successful businesses in their spare time. And if you are feeling short of ideas, there are also 50 business ideas you could try. A great combination of inspiration and practical help. Read more... |
What Color Is Your Parachute - Richard Nelson Bolles
  | This one really is a career change classic which has been around for some time - but that doesn't make it out of date. It is updated every year so it stays fresh.
It offers you a series of exercises to help you define what skills you love using and where and how you want to use them. It then provides practical and down-to-earth tips for successful job hunting. Read more... |
Anything I Can Do, You Can Do Better - Tessa Souter
  | If you are a creative struggling to find a way to express your creativity and to earn a living while doing it, then this book is for you.
It doesn't pretend that it will be an easy ride but does show you that it is still possible with the help of Tessa's practical advice and inspirational examples. She has travelled this road before you so she knows her stuff! Read more... |
Whack Around The Head: Passion & Purpose At Work - Sharon Eden
  | 'Whack Around The Head' helps you to challenge yourself to be more, to really find what's important in your life and take a stand for who you want to be. Sharon shares a number of personal anecdotes in order to encourage you to be honest about your own life and to show you how to be more effective at work and enjoy your job.
If you think there has to be more to life or you are living the wrong life, this is your book. Read more... |
Personal Development
For a great selection of Personal Development Books, take a look at White Dove Books. You will get a free copy of Change our Mind, Change Your Life when you register with this site.
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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey
  | A personal development classic.
If you can apply Covey’s 7 Habits in your life it will impact positively on your work – whether it is your current job or a new one you move into. Read more... |
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey (Audio Version)
  | If you prefer audio to reading, try this CD version. Read more... |
Do One Thing Different - Bill O’Hanlon
  | The ideas in this book are based on solution focused coaching and therapy.
Bill shows you how to approach your challenges in a new and positive way that will help you break unhelpful patterns and find solutions that work. Read more... |
Your Best Year Yet - Jinny Ditzler
  | A great book for the turn of the year.
Jinny takes you through a 10 step process that helps you clarify your goals to make sure the year ahead is the best it can be. Read more... |
The 7 Myths of Success - Michael Neill
 | I am a great fan of Michael Neill and here he has come up with an audio product that will help challenge the limiting perspective you may have in relation to success. Read more... |
Money Made Fun - Michael Neill
 | For those of you who are thinking that career change is impossible because you just can't afford it, take a look at this book and prepare to think, and act differently about money. Yes, it can be fun! Read more... |
Infinite Possibilities - The Art of Living Your Dreams - Mike Dooley
  | This book reveals your true spiritual nature and shows you exactly what it takes to find happiness and fulfillment. It helps you to discover more about who you are, and all that you can be. Read more...
And go to tut.com to sign up to receive quirky and encouraging messages from 'The Universe' on a daily basis. They are great fun! |
Want to know more about some of these resources?
Every month I review a useful resource in my newsletter, The 5 Minute Career Coach, giving a bit more information than there is space for here.
If you'd like to take a look at the reviews in some of the back issues, just click here.
To go straight to the newsletter sign-up page, and get instant access to my free ebook 11¾ Ways To Kick Start Your Career Change, click here.
What would you recommend?
However avid a reader I am, I can't review all the resources that are out there. And in any case, it is always useful to get different perspectives.
So what career change books and resources have inspired you?
Do share your own thoughts and recommendations with others and I will add your suggestions to this page. Just fill in the brief form below and click the send button. I will review everything that you send me and include useful and appropriate ones on the site. I look forward to hearing from you!
I hope you find these recommendations for career change books and other resources useful.
Enjoy!
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