Careergasm: Find Your Way to Feel-Good Work

by Sarah Vermunt

Rousing, BS-free advice for aspiring career changers

What is a Careergasm? Does it feel as good as it sounds?

You bet your ass it does. A Careergasm happens when your work feels good. Really good. Like a groovin’ Marvin Gaye song. Like you and your work belong together, and you can’t help coming back for more.

But how do you get your mojo back when you’re in a passionless relationship with your job? In Careergasm, Sarah Vermunt leads the way. This playful, empowering book for wannabe career changers is a rally cry, a shot of courage, and a road map charting the course to meaningful work. Filled with real stories about brave people making great stuff happen, this how-to book will help you step out of your career rut and into action. It is written with love and punctuated with laughter. The snorting kind. And the occasional F-bomb. It’s a warm hug and a kick in the ass delivered by a straight-talking spitfire who walks the talk and has hundreds of thousands of people sharing her work at Forbes and Entrepreneur. It’s time to feel good again.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Business

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

A former business professor, Sarah Vermunt is the founder of Careergasm, where she helps people figure out what the heck they want so they can quit jobs they hate and do work they love. She writes about careers for Forbes, Fortune, Inc., and Entrepreneur. She lives in Toronto, Ontario, and online at Careergasm.com.

Reviews

[Candice Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is INCREDIBLE. It spoke to me on a fundamental level regarding all the areas of my career (and life) where I can really dig in and get out of my own way. Wildly motivating and inspiring. A perfect start to the new year.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short career change book packed with advice and examples from Vermunt's own life experience and her clients' (she's a career coach). Vermunt's conversational style makes the book easy to digest.

My one qualm is that it's not super actionable. (I think you'll only get that when you sign up for her services. Lol.) She gives you a few informal questions to ask yourself at the end of each chapter rather than a structured blueprint. Even so, I liked this book bc it was an easy way to reinforce some of the perspective work/mindset shifts I've been learning through therapy.

[Anna (lion_reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not usually one for self-help books, but I have been addicted to career books lately. Careergasm bring the genre back to life. Reading this book is like having Sarah Vermunt in your pocket telling you to get your shit together.

I love how bright and passionate the energy of this book is. I had a lot of fun adding a bit of teal with my highlighter to the florescent yellow and pink theme. ECW did an amazing production job.

A lot of Sarah's advice is not inundated by wishy-washy "good-on-paper" exercises to try in your quest for a feel-good career. You don't need that. Her examples are real and personal. The questions she poses to you are ones don't feel like they've been lifted from a dry career questionnaire. Instead, she sits you down with your self and makes you lay out all your work experiences in front of you so you can make an informed decision.

This book is a pep talk full of awesome chapters on anything from how to figure out what you actually want to recognizing why your job may not be working for you. A great read for millennial and others, no matter if you are just starting out or if you are ready to pivot in your career. Give it a shot.

[Rachael Melot · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title is better than the book.

[Diana Duell · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking to change jobs or careers you should read this book. It does contain harsh language.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the rest of the review here: http://bit.ly/2qwDELr

After the disappointment of Neil Pasricha’s The Happiness Equation, I did not have high hopes for another entry into the self-help genre.

Sarah Vermunt, career coach and founder of Careergasm.com, kicked those doubts to the curb. Dispelling doubts is something Vermunt is intimately familiar with. It makes up half of her day job: convincing you that yes, you can and yes, you will and yes, it’s okay to go after the kind of career you actually enjoy and no, that doesn’t mean you’re going to “live in a van down by the river.”

Careergasm: Find Your Way to Feel-Good Work takes a conversational tone that doesn’t indulge readers in their excuses. Instead, Vermunt puts a swift (but kind, if you can imagine) kick in your ass to get you moving. She acknowledges your fears, engages with them, confirms them, and then says “but you can deal with it and here’s how.”It’s utterly refreshing to read through a self-help book that claims to offer “bullsh*t-free advice” and then actually does.

[Alice Janssen · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first this book, it missed the mark for me. She comes across as privileged (seriously, it is cringeworthy at times, she lost me a bit at the Kate Spade shopping reference) glib and short sighted. I did find a few good nuggets, but for the large part, there is nothing new at the beginning of the book except for her tone, which is an instagram worthy combination of overly chipper and faux blasé. The privilege is so prevalent. She’s clearly writing this assuming her readers have a deep education and deeper pockets to be able to take risks. If you don’t have a huge safety net, a lot of what she describes is the fast track to financial ruin. As she might say, for me this was a, no, no, nope-ity, nope. The part I liked was some of her vulnerability. She’s very honest about her career curves, as she calls them, and encourages her readers to embrace reality and make the most of it. Unlike many career books which state their premise and then reiterate several times and then peter out, this book got stronger as it went along and she drops the need to seem super hip and cool.

[TippyH · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were elements of this book i liked. But mostly i found the author self-congratulatory while trying to appear self-deprecating. I thought the majority of the advice was fairly common sense. Although it might speak to someone who is scared to make a change. It was a very easy, quick read - not a bad thing for a self-help book. I guess she got to the point fairly quickly which i liked. However she more focused on making big changes to career paths rather than how to approach work you are already in.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a university career coach I found Sarah's messages to be spot on with what I try to tell my students about not needing to know what they want to do after graduation.

It's a quick and easy read. It speaks to those of us that have any doubts about our career path but are afraid of the risks of change.

The only thing I didn't enjoy was the use of profanity in her writing but I get that's part of her message/writing style.

[The Suburban Eclectic · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for some straight, no BS career advice, then get ready for your "O" face because Careergasm is that good! Engaging and sage guidance. Told with a heavy dose of humor and real world examples makes this a no-brainer read for those at a career crossroads like me. I found it encouraging and motivating without being pandering or worse boring. Two thumbs up!

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel it's safe to say I've had many Careergasms while reading this book! I was completely inspired and had many ideas spark in my brain. I was also happy to see Sarah at a career conference as a keynote speaker. Her advice and words inspired to achieve my career goals and understand how I can move in the right direction to feel good work!

[Pía López Copetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly inspiring for those who, like me, feel right in the middle of a career transformation process but don't have all the answers to keep moving. The author reflects on her experience when switching career path and embracing the unknown. Worth reading!

[Iris Rigter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usually self-help books tell you to change loads of things, and to do it now! This one didn't, which was why I really enjoyed reading it.

Sarah takes a no-nonsense approach to finding a career that works for you. Sure, you need to find something you love and start doing it. But you also need to be sensible about how you are going to get there.

Not confident enough that your desired career will make you enough money to support yourself right away? There's no shame in keeping on another job while you prepare. Do you need tons of money to live off? No, you don't as long, as you can do stuff you enjoy outside of your work.

Recommend it to anyone who needs to hear that it's a great idea to go for that dream job, but also likes to know that you can take your time to get there.

[Shantell Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book. Full of great quotes and quality life advice on issues that we all suffer from now and again, like letting fear of the unknown hold us back, caring about what others think, and preconceived notions we tell ourselves that keep us from reaching our full potential. It wasn’t anything I didn’t know, yet I still walked away from this book feeling lighter, more confident, motivated, and assured. The author was down to earth and the book was an easy read. Every chapter was about dispelling doubt and myths surrounding career change and also about learning what’s really important to you individually and not allowing any self-perceived ideas hold you back.

[Jennifer W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read a number of career guidance type books, this is the one to read after you have an inkling of what you want to do and need that push.

I love her no nonsense conversational tone and telling it from her experience (along with mistakes and set backs). It’s that frank encouragement I need to push me to start with small steps.

The chapters and nice and short so you can get through them quickly and is that great start to the day read.

In the end, it inspires you to just start with small steps and to do it now as there’s no ideal timing.

[Beth Levin · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, BEST book I’ve ever read for someone contemplating a career change.... or rather for someone who needs a kick in the ass to realize they have to take steps to follow their bliss and an alternate path to the one they’re on. I’ve read HUNDREDS of books in this genre but Sarah wrote like she was speaking to ME. Light girlfriend style reading, yet heavy topic and humorous. The author feels totally like my new best friend. I already put a few steps into action and I plan to read and re-read this.

[Crystal Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book that offers you methods of searching your emotions when trying to determine if you are at your career or choice, or if you need to assess your situation and formulate a plan for a better future. Relevant to everyone, including those satisfied with their current job. Helped me understand my position in my organization a little bit. At times I worry that I have "Golden Handcuffs Syndrome".

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of fairly predictable advice, I never really felt like this book got past the "go get 'em" stage... The writing style was very entertaining and it was a quick and easy read, however, if the point is to help people leave their current jobs for their dream jobs, there is not a lot of advice on figuring out what you want to do and/or how to go after it.

If you're looking for a book to truly help you realize your ambitions and go for them, try Dream Big by Bob Goff. That book changed my life.

[Shamama · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a light and, at times, an entertaining read. However, I found her career advice sometimes came across as overly cliche and simplistic (“Do what you love”, “Don’t do something you hate”, “Talk to people who work in your dream field”). Also, I didn’t care for her personal anecdotes as they were quite lengthy and did not add much to the chapters.

[Stacey M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is EXACTLY what you need if you are feeling stuck and hopeless in your work life. I am currently in a major career/focus shift in my life and it is terrifying. And this book hit on so many of my panicked thoughts and fears, it was kind of uncanny. I can't recommend it enough to anyone feeling unfulfilled and yearning for a change whether that change be small or massive.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it an enjoyable read. The author is fun and engaging and offers some good advice about figuring out what you want to do. Though I don't neccessarily think everyone needs to love their job. Sometimes you can find a job that you just like. That way you can have time for your passions during your free time.

[Lori Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good, easy read. Lots of reminders on how to continue progress toward finding work you love to do. From tips at work to the self talk in your head the short chapters provide reminders and a few new lessons. While this could be a great read for someone early in their career, I also found it enjoyable as someone WELL into their career.

[Carrie Emblem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love how authentic the writing is and the helpful tidbits of advice Sarah has written. Quite helpful & refreshing for me as someone still very early on in her career. I've read quite a few professional development books and some of them are quite similar to one another but this one strays away from the wolf pack by being super unique. Great read :D

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Browsed this and loved how witty the writing is while being completely accurate. It is written in such a way that anyone can understand it though the sexual innuendos that make it lighter to read may offend some.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was just ok. I grabbed the book thinking it would be something to help me at my current position, not realizing it was a book to help people quit their jobs and follow their dreams. Had some good tips but overall It was just ok.

[Colleen Amundson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came into my life at exactly the right time! It opened my eyes to so much regarding myself, my career and where I really want to be in life! I recommend this book to anyone who feels stuck like I did.

[Lazy Spice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give this 3.5 stars. Not very practical, and the millennial-speak can get irritating, but a good pep talk nonetheless. I don't think it will help you figure out what you want to do, but if you already know, it might get you to finally take action.

[Sondra Retzlaff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title is not my usual--you're right. But this was a direct, funny, concise book about making changes in your career you might want to make. Like straight talk from a best friend (just...not many of my friends would describe it quite like the title does. :)

[Chérie A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounded down - this would be really helpful for someone who has never heard of these terms before and hasn't done much introspection. Some good nuggets, but have heard a lot of this advice before. Also, I found the accompanying music really distracting.

[Emilie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trying to figure some things out.