The Career Change Guide: Five Steps to Finding Your Dream Job

by Rachel Schofield

Discover what you really want from work - and how to get there - with this empowering, practical guide from expert career coach Rachel Schofield

AS SEEN IN GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
ONE OF THE TELEGRAPH'S BEST SELF-HELP BOOKS OF 2023

'A doable plan to make changes that'll stick. This is the only book you need to take the leap' STYLIST

Are you dreaming of a new career? Or do you just want more out of your job? Either way, The Career Change Guide ensures that work works for you . . .
__________

This empowering, practical guide takes the confusion, fear and indecision out of career change.

Whether making small adjustments or life-changing moves, it provides simple, achievable steps to turn your dreams into reality.

The Career Change Guide will help you investigate your skills as well as discover your drives, interests and inspirations. It will take you on a structured five step journey. . .

· Preparing · Reflecting · Imagining & Designing · Taking Action · Keeping Going ·

. . . to lead you to the job of your dreams.

You'll learn to . . .

- Be clear about who you are and the work and life you want
- Devise and explore career ideas
- Tackle self-doubt and build confidence
- Design an action plan for change

The Career Change Guide is your first step to a better career and a happier life.

So enough procrastination. . . are we doing this, or aren't we?

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 19, 2023

Reviews

[Andrew James · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the content to be excessively generic, seemingly tailored to a stereotypical BBC audience of nuclear families residing in Berkshire.

As someone who is no spring chicken and really struggling to find half decent career opportunities, I was disappointed by the painfully obvious advice offered in the book. The suggestions, particularly in the section with 'assignments' aimed at helping individuals discover their desired type of work, felt redundant and irritating. Tasks such as 'Think about your favorite YouTube that you like to watch at night,' 'Identify your preferred company to work for,' and 'List your hobbies' were so elementary that it was difficult to continue with the audiobook.

The assumption throughout seems to be that readers are of a certain age, female and with a partner, and have largely sailed through life until this point. It's as if the greatest career difficulty anyone is going to face is having gone straight from uni into a well paid and full time position, only once having to consider how they will transition into something else. In that time, the book seems to suggest, they have clearly not been in any position precarious enough and over such extensive time as to never have considered most of the advice given in the book.

Unforutnately, and maybe I'm in a minority, I wouldn't be seeking more substantial guidance, if any of that had worked for my situation in the past.

Thebook's narrative style and content suggest a one-dimensional approach, assuming a certain lifestyle and personality that may not align with everyone, but is probably carefully marketed to those with spending power, much in the same way that very mainstream lifestyle advice exists all over the internet, and rarely with any substance.

It was only afterwards, that my thoughts were confirmed by the reality that the author is the wife of a very well paid (and in my opinion self regarding BBC radio presenter

As usual, contacts with publishers rather than having anything of substance, seems to be why this book was published, given its seemingly trite and anodyne suggestions. While some may find value in such content, my quest for genuinely beneficial advice continues.

Abandoned, not finished.

[Kim Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coaching via a book is tough, but Rachel manages it. She’s thought-provoking and offers plenty of examples to keep you engaged and stimulated to think. Very good.

[Nicola Milner · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a bit stuck and generally wondering "what if..." career-wise, read this book.

After a number of years of analysis paralysis and general career muddledom, I have finished this book with a career change action plan that I believe in. Even better, I have already set that action plan in motion and am "trying on" my three possible future selves in small, low cost (in time and money), manageable ways. I feel empowered. This book built my confidence to get out there and just do it, to leave my comfort zone.

Rachel writes with such a heartfelt lightness of touch that I even enjoyed the journey. At times I laughed out loud. I definitely can't say that about the other career change books that I have read. If you are a bit stuck and generally wondering "what if...." career-wise, read this book (and don't skip the exercises!).

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have loved to read this book but felt excluded from it from the first two chapters. Everything is around the lens of your family, your kids, your shared responsibilities at home. If you’re in a nuclear family then I’m sure this is a great book. If you’re not, the advice - practical and otherwise - work for you.

[Linda Sijpkes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good practical advice for career changers

[B. Mantler · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot more practical than I expected and many other books on the subject. She is also a realist and that helps a lot.

[Katia Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book regarding career design that actually had clear direction. Not vague "what do you value?" Because that could mean value with my job with my morales, value in my family, Etc?
But this book walked through so many, clear questions and guidelines. Highly recommended!