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What Color Is Your Parachute? Job-Hunter's Workbook, Fourth Edition by Richard N. Bolles
Career expert Richard Nelson Bolles presents the complete job-hunter's workbook based on his acclaimed PARACHUTE tool, known as the Flower Exercise. Easy-to-use step-by-step worksheets focus on translating personal interests into marketable job skills, while exploring often-ignored issues such as emotional and spiritual fulfillment in the workplace. When completed, the workbook presents job-seekers with a complete picture of their ideal job or next career.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
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1049 people want to read
About the author
Richard Nelson Bolles
51 books97 followersDick Bolles, more formally known as Richard Nelson Bolles, was a former Episcopal clergyman, a member of high-IQ society Mensa, and the author of the best-selling job-hunting book, What Color is Your Parachute? The book remained on The New York Times best-seller list for more than a decade and has sold over 10 million copies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 10, 2009
Why I Read this Book: After reading What Color Is Your Parachute, I wanted to be sure I did all of the steps necessary to get the clearest view possible of my career direction.
Review:
This is the supplemental workbook to accompany What Color Is Your Parachute 2006 that is discussed here. I say supplemental because it is something that must be purchased separate from the main book. I disagree with this piece being supplemental because the exercises detailed in this workbook are fundamental in getting a solid and clear grasp on what your career path should be. Therefore I believe the two pieces should always be bought, sold, read and completed as one package.
This workbook does a fantastic job of stepping the reader through every part of the Flower Petal Exercise, which is arguably the most beneficial component to the What Color Is Your Parachute school of study. The workbook steps you through a number of activities that allow you to clarify key job-related components that will lead you to “A Picture of the Job of Your Dreams,” according to Bolles.
These key components are built off your determined transferable skills. Examples of such skills are teaching other people, speaking to a large group and resolving conflicts. The components that spring from the skills include your ideal geography, interests, people environments, values, working conditions, salary and level of responsibility. There is huge value in getting all of these thoughts down on paper. Not only will you be much clearer about your ideal career, but you will also be much clearer about who you are as a person and what is truly important to you. If you were to get nothing out of these exercises except for clearly defining your values, the workbook would be worth its weight in gold.
Please take this tool seriously. It is something that can be so very powerful when used in its full capacity. I will warn you again as I did with What Color Is Your Parachute. This workbook is not something you will be able to read through and call it a day if you are expecting to get anything of value from it. It will take work. In fact it will take a lot of work. But if you get into it and excited about what you are going to learn about yourself then you will have a great time going through the exercises. Any time you find yourself with the opportunity to learn more about whom you are as an individual, it is fundamental that you seize that opportunity. Never will you regret it. I know I haven’t.
Judging by my research and experience in this field, there really is no other resource that offers the type of eye-opening discoveries about yourself and your ideal career as this system Richard Bolles has put together in his book and the accompanying workbook. My recommendation is to buy this workbook at the same time you purchase the most recent copy of What Color Is Your Parachute and complete them both within a week or two. You will be amazed at the insight that such seemingly elementary exercises can provide. Time to get started.
Review:
This is the supplemental workbook to accompany What Color Is Your Parachute 2006 that is discussed here. I say supplemental because it is something that must be purchased separate from the main book. I disagree with this piece being supplemental because the exercises detailed in this workbook are fundamental in getting a solid and clear grasp on what your career path should be. Therefore I believe the two pieces should always be bought, sold, read and completed as one package.
This workbook does a fantastic job of stepping the reader through every part of the Flower Petal Exercise, which is arguably the most beneficial component to the What Color Is Your Parachute school of study. The workbook steps you through a number of activities that allow you to clarify key job-related components that will lead you to “A Picture of the Job of Your Dreams,” according to Bolles.
These key components are built off your determined transferable skills. Examples of such skills are teaching other people, speaking to a large group and resolving conflicts. The components that spring from the skills include your ideal geography, interests, people environments, values, working conditions, salary and level of responsibility. There is huge value in getting all of these thoughts down on paper. Not only will you be much clearer about your ideal career, but you will also be much clearer about who you are as a person and what is truly important to you. If you were to get nothing out of these exercises except for clearly defining your values, the workbook would be worth its weight in gold.
Please take this tool seriously. It is something that can be so very powerful when used in its full capacity. I will warn you again as I did with What Color Is Your Parachute. This workbook is not something you will be able to read through and call it a day if you are expecting to get anything of value from it. It will take work. In fact it will take a lot of work. But if you get into it and excited about what you are going to learn about yourself then you will have a great time going through the exercises. Any time you find yourself with the opportunity to learn more about whom you are as an individual, it is fundamental that you seize that opportunity. Never will you regret it. I know I haven’t.
Judging by my research and experience in this field, there really is no other resource that offers the type of eye-opening discoveries about yourself and your ideal career as this system Richard Bolles has put together in his book and the accompanying workbook. My recommendation is to buy this workbook at the same time you purchase the most recent copy of What Color Is Your Parachute and complete them both within a week or two. You will be amazed at the insight that such seemingly elementary exercises can provide. Time to get started.
January 17, 2019
It was kind of a pain to complete, but it brought what I want to do, as far as work goes, into focus.
May 26, 2019
One of the better self-reflection, professional development books I have ever read. Bolles takes readers through a series of exercises to determine their skills and goals. I recommend this to anyone struggling to figure out their career path.
December 21, 2017
I found this as a very practical guide on how to look for a job, in an efficient manner.
Book mostly useful during economic crisys and not only, it includes points, guidance and also multiple online sites or references on how to apply for a job in US, how to prepare for an interview.
But is also points out that you just don't need just to prepare, but be ready, grow your skills and expertise in your domain.
Book mostly useful during economic crisys and not only, it includes points, guidance and also multiple online sites or references on how to apply for a job in US, how to prepare for an interview.
But is also points out that you just don't need just to prepare, but be ready, grow your skills and expertise in your domain.
September 4, 2019
Very helpful! Most insightful for those switching career paths or trying to choose a career path.
November 10, 2023
Loved this so much!
Okay, had it not been for a class grade, I might not have not taken the time to do this, but I'm so glad I did! (Also, unsure if I read it word for word, but I think I did).
I felt so encouraged learning about myself through this workbook and I believe it will help me while hunting for jobs and it already has just by making me feel happy. I enjoyed how it was written too!
Highly recommend!
Okay, had it not been for a class grade, I might not have not taken the time to do this, but I'm so glad I did! (Also, unsure if I read it word for word, but I think I did).
I felt so encouraged learning about myself through this workbook and I believe it will help me while hunting for jobs and it already has just by making me feel happy. I enjoyed how it was written too!
Highly recommend!
December 8, 2010
the book does offer some helpful tips for the job search process, but i don't remember particularly enjoying this book.
March 5, 2021
I bought the 2020 updated version right before Covid, when I decided it was time for a career change.
The separate workbook is good, useful. Maybe just buy the workbook now, especially since post Covid this info has to be irrelevant. Within the book, the workbook exercises are too small and spread out to make sense of it.
The separate book does a good job of compiling and condensing the statistics. Which is more impactful than the usual tips and tools on staying positive, networking, etc. Aside from the statistics, you can find the coaching info online, LinkedIn, Ted Talks, webinars through your states career placement counselors, etc.
The separate workbook is good, useful. Maybe just buy the workbook now, especially since post Covid this info has to be irrelevant. Within the book, the workbook exercises are too small and spread out to make sense of it.
The separate book does a good job of compiling and condensing the statistics. Which is more impactful than the usual tips and tools on staying positive, networking, etc. Aside from the statistics, you can find the coaching info online, LinkedIn, Ted Talks, webinars through your states career placement counselors, etc.
November 5, 2020
What Color is Your Parachute? is a different approach for job seekers looking to change jobs, careers, or one's life path. Instead of looking at things purely from a technical standpoint, the book is far more creative in helping someone determine where they would truly fit in the job market based on their natural preferences, talents, and learned skills. A series of exercises throughout the book leads the reader on an exploration of who they are and how they can piece together meaningful work from those discoveries. An interesting way to uncover new options for work.
November 9, 2017
A workbook... life-changing. I recommend completing this BEFORE engaging the other WCIYP books.
May 2, 2018
Working through this workbook takes quite a bit of time, but the effort is worth it The result is a clearer understanding of who you are and where you are heading in life.
Read
August 9, 2021Read the 2015 version..
September 10, 2019
I've always know I wanted to perform for a living. I sing, act, and write. But I had no real direction for how to make any kind of living at it. This job helped me land the perfect job for me. I'm now an associate producer for a theatre company I was already working part time as an actress/singer. The best part is that it allows me to purse being a singer & actress because I work from home remotely. I figured out what makes me happy in terms of my work environment and how to decide what skills and talents I most enjoy using. I also figured out things about my personality. It has practical guides, quizzes, and exercises that allow you to pinpoint on a diagram your dream job. This book took me 2 months to complete while working a full time job. I started job hunting right after. Within 3 months I landed my dream job and am loving it. I'm building the life I wanna live on my terms and I'm building a business as a performer, writer & producer in the entertainment industry. This book takes work but it's well worth the effort.
December 12, 2012
One of the most useful resources to discover what direction my path leads. I would recommend to anyone considering a career change. I formed a workgroup with a couple other people who were changing careers, and shared the results of the exercises, and resources. The chapter on how to get unstuck is psychological gold for when I am feeling overburdened and discouraged. Don't just flip through this one, put the work in to get the best results from the exercises and you may be amazed at the results like I was.
February 22, 2011
All of the work books with grids, charts and exercises inside are a waste of time, imho. Although I do think there is something to the Meyers-Briggs stuff. I have somewhat of a plan now but not with the help of this book, but rather just living and *doing* gave me an idea. Much of the exercises are forgetable upon completion, quite frankly. As for jobs, I believe in this economy, it's just enough to get one (and wise) to just reach out to as MANY opportunities as possible and worry about pie-in-the-sky stuff later... that's just my take. Respectable series of books though.
October 29, 2008
This is one of those books that you think is hokey on the surface. Well, it isn't.
I had a friend tell me that she first read this book back in high school and that it is a good idea to re-read the new edition of the book each year..
The exercises were valuable, if only because they allowed to realize and understand things about myself and my goals that I already subconsciously knew, but would express to myself.
I had a friend tell me that she first read this book back in high school and that it is a good idea to re-read the new edition of the book each year..
The exercises were valuable, if only because they allowed to realize and understand things about myself and my goals that I already subconsciously knew, but would express to myself.
March 10, 2009
I have heard a lot of stories about "What Color Is Your Parachute?" The reputation of this book is pretty good. A very useful book to use, if you have no idea what career is best for you to follow.
This is good to use, if you have gotten laid off your career or if you are unhappy with your current career and want to switch careers.
This is good to use, if you have gotten laid off your career or if you are unhappy with your current career and want to switch careers.
Currently reading
October 1, 2008I have the 2009 edition. An exec. friend suggested that I read it. I hate the title, colors, endorsements, awards, and sub-titles but will, out of respect for my friend, try to see past the cover and actually open the book and begin reading it. For now, every element of matter in my body is barfing at the thought of reading it.
December 17, 2008
I thought this was an excellent, thought provoking book. Just what I needed! I think it would be an excellent gift choice for a high school or college graduate.
I know I will go back to it several times before deciding on a career. There are many steps in the book to refer back to, depending on the stage you are in during your job/career search.
I know I will go back to it several times before deciding on a career. There are many steps in the book to refer back to, depending on the stage you are in during your job/career search.
August 5, 2009
So, I didn't actually read it... I flipped pages, skimmed here and there. My husband read it though and it is really cool. Whether you are looking for a job or just interested in finding out more about yourself this book will open your eyes. I would recommend it to anyone- it is a great resource!
January 8, 2014
It is called the Bible for job-hunters and is revised every year (yes, I mean every year, since 1970, the latest version is 2013) to keep up with the time.
Not only does it talk about techniques, but also the matter of psychological issue. The whole book is presented under massive useful information that will change your life.
Not only does it talk about techniques, but also the matter of psychological issue. The whole book is presented under massive useful information that will change your life.
August 3, 2014
So, the writing style was amusing, but this book is better for someone who has no clue how to look for a job - the majority of the advice in here was something that I have already read, OR it was something that does not apply to a specific field. I would say that it was a good pep talk, but for me, it wasn't realistic.
August 25, 2019
I honestly believe that the workbook was a bit more helpful to me than the actual book. For those who are searching for a career and not just another job but are unaccustomed to reading a lot, this is definitely the way to go. The worksheets and information are practical and actionable which I know is important to most people. The concepts are also very accessible, very little use of jargon.
May 27, 2008
it was good to read, but I found that I love everything and in that moment I knew I would never have a single proffession.....and then I had a sigh f relief. It feels good when I know I will always be searching. I am ok with that.
September 11, 2009
This was a present, I went through a lot of it and found some of it interesting, but did it help? I don't know... I'm finally sticking to a major at school, but that's for many reasons with the main one being I want to be there this time.
May 14, 2008
It did not helped me.
August 8, 2008
Great tool when experiencing life changes.
October 5, 2008
I've read a couple older copies of this book. Reading one edition is not enough. It is not just an edited copy of the old info... they change and include new information.
April 25, 2009
Awesome! Helping greatly with my job search :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews