Cool Careers for Dummies

Cool Careers is written in a very user-friendly way, and can be applied to most career paths and considerations. There is a lot of very practical advice that can help clear up any clouds of job confusion. I enjoyed reading it as if it were a novel. I recommend it to anyone thinking about a big career shift, and also to those just entertaining the idea of finding an alternate way to pay the bills.

For a little while in college I was queen of career guides and resume books. But that wasn't helping me figure out what I wanted to do. And it certainly wasn't helping me find a post-college job. An arbitrary cousin sent me this book for graduation, and 2 years later I still use it. I threw out all the other books. "Cool Careers" outlines new approaches to finding both careers and jobs, and walks you through interviews and salary negotiations with simulations. The authors also pay special attention to shaping your job to suit your needs once you have it... a section that distinguishes it from other books in this category. Most importantly, the book leads you on a job search that balances the short-term panic with the long-term perspective needed to secure the RIGHT job for you.Using this book, I found an unadvertised entry-level job without a resume in a field I didn't know existed. A year later I found a managerial position in the same field. The friends who graduated with me work meaningless jobs in cubicles, and they still don't know what they want to do when they "grow up". I have a career, making real decisions, and the confidence that I can find a new one whenever I want.

"Cool Careers for Dummies" is the best general career guide I've read. No pie-in-the-sky promises in this book; Marty Nemko delivers step-by-step practical instructions with contagious enthusiasm and a healthy dose of humor.I found Marty Nemko on his San Francisco radio show (Sundays, 11 AM, KALW-FM 91.7, don't miss it) and made an appointment for career counseling. As preparation, he sent me a copy of his book. While working through his exercises, I found the answers on my own. Although I postponed my appointment, someday I want to meet Marty to thank him.

I first looked through the books' 404 pages and found many more options than I had thought. Then I answered the "20 most revealing questions" and learned useful information about whom I am. What makes the book really great is that it goes beyond insight - it helped me develop a step-by-step plan towards achieving my dreams. I did end up with a cool career. Who can ask for anything more?

For Dummies has done it again! I had a need for information and was able to get through the entire book in a matter of days because of the down to earth approach all their books take. It has inspired me to search for my career harder than ever and it is great to reference again and again because of how entertaining it is!