How to Make Work Not Suck: Honest Advice for People with Jobs

by Carina Maggar

Google doesn't have the answer
Dream big, plan small
When in doubt, Helvetica
Assumption is the mother of all fuck ups
Stay curious
No one knows what they're doing, neither should you

In this straight-talking guide to the real world of work, discover genuinely useful advice that will help you find the confidence to go for that promotion, quit your job, break into that industry, nail that pitch or climb over a creative brick wall. With 120 irreverent, unusual but always useful insights, this book will help you reach your career goals.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Productivity, Business, Humor, Graphic Novels

157 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 13, 2022

Reviews

[Melcat · Rating 3 out of 5]

A funny, light and entertaining little book on how not to take your job and your career too seriously and some little insights into life at work which, even if they are sometimes a little obvious, are always very pleasant to read. Overall no one really knows what they're doing either and that's fine...

The illustrations are great and I really want to take some of the pages and stick them at my workplace to see them every day..

[Aizat Affendi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short, light-hearted read that will sure to make you chuckle. Nice illustrations, I can see how a HR person will be tempted to just rip off some of the pages and stick them up in his/her office(s). Nothing profound, just facts that we sometimes overlook

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice little book to remind you that work can - and should - be taken less seriously, and the doubts you're having are actually much more common than you'd think. It's not like you'll learn any new methods or secret tricks to succeed, it's just a very positive and optimistic book to keep at hand.

[Mo Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

อ่านรวดเดียวจบ สำหรับเราอ่านเพลินมาก อ่านง่าย ย่อยง่าย ให้แง่คิดมุมมอง บางตอนก็อ่านแล้วรู้สึกจี๊ดๆ (เอามีดมาแทงกันเลยดีกว่า) บางตอนก็อ่านแล้วได้มุมมองใหม่ เหมาะสำหรับมนุษย์เงินเดือนชาวออฟฟิศ หยิบเล่มนี้มาอ่านในวันที่เนือยๆ เหนื่อยใจ อ่านแล้ว เออว่ะ มันก็แค่นี้แหล่ะ (ปลง) ☺️

[Book Beforebed_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

โดยรวมมันก็เหมือนหนังสือฮาวทูทั่วไปที่เราเคยอ่าน เนื้อหาไม่ได้แปลใหม่มากนัก ด้วยชื่อเรื่อง ก็เลยคาดหวังว่ามันจะเป็นการนำเสนอวิธีการแก้ปัญหา แต่พออ่านแล้ว เราว่ามันไม่ใช่การแก้ปัญหาขนาดนั้น แต่เป็นวิธีการวางตัวและอยู่เป็นในที่ทำงานอะไรแบบนั้นมากกว่า (คหสต)

สิ่งที่โดดเด่นของหนังสือเล่มนี้คือคำพูดที่ใช้ โดยไม่ได้เล่ามาแบบวิชาการจ๋า ตัวหนังสือแน่นอะไรแบบนั้น แต่จะยกมาแค่เนื้อหาสำคัญ ทำให้การอ่านไม่น่าเบื่อและทำให้สนุกได้ด้วยซ้ำ อีกอย่างที่ชอบคือกราฟฟิคในเล่มดึงดูดมาก สีทั้งเล่ม ภาพประกอบน่ารัก บางบทก็ตลกดี 5555

[Hanna Stelmakh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Гарна книга про прості речі. Здавалося б, буденні і такі звичні моменти, які ми схильні забувати, зібрані в цьому маленькому пораднику. Добре написано, з елементами гумору (місцями й самоіронії автора), а також з ілюстраціями, які чудово доповнюють зміст.

[*JEN the booknerd* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute! Some good pointers as well.

[Esdras Beleza · Rating 4 out of 5]

In an age of people selling themselves as career coaches and saying crappy stuff, it’s good to read a book with realistic advice. Some of the stuff might be obvious, but sometimes we need to be reminded of the obvious. The book delivers what it says on its cover: honest advice for people with jobs.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

grateful for the reminders, especially the one to “have more fun.” This book was definitely not geared toward teachers, but it was helpful nonetheless!

[Ecaterina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice book - has a lot of good advices on variety of situations. Some of them made me laugh, some made me agree, some made me think and try a different approach…
Bottom line: I found all the knowledge in this book valuable, and entertaining to read.
If you want to read a book about work and relax at the same time, this book is definitely what you need.

[Power In Books · Rating 1 out of 5]

Garbage

[Chris Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick funny read, with some actual good advice, or at least some food for thought to help put one's job and goals into context. It really runs the gamut but is such a quick read you'll find something relevant, and probably something you think makes no sense. I like that it acknowledges all the nuances of work, from being stuck in a job you hate and need to get out off, to being stuck in a job you enjoy but feels directionless and just needs a fresh spark, to working in a freelance position or trying to be an entrepreneur. A lot of text heavy books are written on any one of these topics, and honestly its hard not to take a lot of the content in those books as disingenuous or "fluff" when so many of the basic maxims can be summed up succinctly. This book does just that.

[Jonathan · Rating 1 out of 5]

The back cover promises, “This straight-talking guide to the world of work will help you unpack the mysteries of employment so that you actually like what you do for a living.”

It is, in fact, not a guide. It is a collection of Twitter inspo with admittedly very attractive art. There’s nothing of substance, no guide, no real advice for people working jobs they hate and looking for actionable steps to make their work lives meaningful. It’s a fridge covered in kitschy magnets and Dilbert comic strips.

[Filipa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comprei na feira do livro deste ano por ter achado piada ao título. Achei o conceito engraçado, com ilustrações muito giras, mas achei o conteúdo algo cliché. No entanto, deu para rir um pouco e ter uma leitura mais leve e descontraída.

[Marta · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 *

[Keisha Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute colourful illustrations. Mostly generic (sometimes contradictory) advice. Work hard. Listen. Don’t quit without a backup plan. Quit if your job impacts your health. Sound bites, not how-to.

[Masha Beversdorf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations in this book, so I had to get it.😃
Content is well written but very basic and would be good for someone who just finished school and starting their career.

[Sara Mane Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful and colourful brilliant amount of advice to follow to make work-life better! Funny and delightful, as well as incredibly relatable!

[Noor Sumra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book at a time when work has been sucking the life out of me and while it didn’t really do anything to “make work not suck” the book is a fun short read with some good advice.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's like this book was speaking directly to me! After achieving a "dream" job of tenured associate professor of psychology, I ended up resigning because I wasn't feeling fulfilled. I do not regret the decision and in the following years, I have pursued a variety of opportunities and jobs (some so much better than others). This book has validated my experiences and comforted me that even though I don't know what my work's purpose quite is yet, I am on the right track simply because I am here, showing up, embracing uncertainty, and taking steps forward.

I highly recommend this book as a graduation gift for high school, college, or graduate school, or anyone you laugh/commiserate about your current job(s).

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a fun and entertaining read, making it particularly suitable for individuals experiencing burnout or losing patience at work, as well as new graduates stepping into the professional environment.
The illustrations and overall design of the book are engaging and well-executed, adding to its appeal.
It is important to note that this is not an in-depth academic resource; readers should not expect extensive references to well-known research theories. Instead, the book presents an enjoyable comic-style summary of workplace rules, providing lighthearted insights into professional life.
Enjoy it if you have a busy day on a metro.

[Riccardo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some titles hook you in, but then leave you bitterly disappointed. The book starts with a simple easy reading premise which quickly catches you eyes, and then immediately descends into byers remorse. The only redeeming quality of the book is that it took less than an hour to skim read, allowing me to add a book to my reading numbers.
The book otherwise is a self indulgent mishmash of aphorism and ever changing fonts. Stylistically it is not a bad book. There are otherwise no redeeming features. It reminds me of Who moved my cheese and the one minute manager.

[Maiara G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"... ninguém precisa de mais um livro de carreira escrito por um homem de meia-idade". Uma das primeiras frases com a qual somos confrontados e que não poderia resumir melhor este livro.
Se és um designer gráfico (ou um ser criativo no geral) e encontrares este livro na estante por acaso, por favor, não o deixes para trás! Vais-te relacionar tanto com este guia, que quase parece que a Carina Maggar o escreveu de propósito para ti.
Ps. Um obrigada especial ao ilustrador Simon Landrein por dar vida, de forma tão cómica, a situações do quotidiano no mundo criativo.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to Make Work Not Suck definitely spoke to me in this hectic work season of my life but one should tread with caution and cherry-pick what is applicable/specific to your situation.

Some pointers mentioned are things that we already know but needs to be said to underscore the importance of not defining ourselves by our work.

A fun-sized book written in a light-hearted tone, it makes for a refreshing door gift idea for corporate D&Ds to get salient points across subtly 🌚.

[Pieter Rossouw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feels like i got duped into a book that is actually a collection positivity cards. The opening is pretty cool and relatable which is why it feels like old information presented freshly. Even with all its negativity i actually enjoyed the mindlessness of it. If you feel like a change of scenery this is the solution, don't expect miracles, work sucks no matter what you do.

[Giuliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not a guide on how to make work not suck. It is however quirky, fun, and highlights some inevitable things you will experience at some point in your professional life. It’s a light read. I kept it in my car and read on my breaks from work. The illustrations are fun and entertaining, and the writing is to the point and a bit sarcastic, which I loved.

[Ravi Teja · Rating 1 out of 5]

All fluff but no stuff. All stars for generous dollop of colors and jolly good illustrations. This might be mildly useful to you if you are a teenage college student. Else, please steer clear of it. But by god was it a beautiful book to look at. This book reinforced that, "Don't judge a book by its cover", cuts both ways.

[Anirudh Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny and a light hearted book on how to take yourself and your jobs not seriously.

All these facts are what we know but simply overlook them considering it is not relevant to us.
With humor it is presented in such a way that we will immediately relate to the content.

Definitely will read second time when I feel low in office.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book, easy and fun to read, beautiful illustrations that make it even more enjoyable. I randomly stepped across the portuguese edition(translated) and the cover just drew my attention. And for a good reason. I then got the original edition. Lot of ideas/statements in the book suit both for career and life. Cheers to the author and illustrator!

[Deborah Hustic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice book for my creativity & life-lessons-in-short shelf to be used again and again when you need a bit of a motivation booster in small portion of time. Great illustrations, short and smart thinking. When you want to avoid overthinking and have a straightforward need or urge to solve something. Nicely written. Less is more.