Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career

Even after completing an MBA and spending 12 years in marketing in various companies, I still had no real sense of what I wanted to do with my life (career-wise). I undertook many so-called career tests (Myer-B, etc) and completed many exercises in loads of books (Parachute, etc), but none seemed to offer any plan or guidance as to what to do next. It was nice to know what I enjoyed doing, what skills are preferred and so on - but that really offered little in practical advice as to what to do next. This book offers practicality, and interesting case studies that I could directly relate to, thus providing a reference map of what to do next. So many of Herminia's people profiled in this book had similar career issues as me, and it was nice to know I wasn't alone. But better still, it was nice to know there was a way out too. I particularly related to the person in the book who had so many interests (like me) but no clear singular passion, so he built a portfolio of jobs and activities to satisfy his interests. It was nice to know that such a choice can be made in today's world, where specialisation in corporate environments appears the only way to get ahead, at least financially and status of position. But sometimes being a generalist can be even more satisfying, as you're doing what you really want to do, not what others think you should do. I highly recommend this book.

In a nutshell, this book has helped me immensely in developing possible career paths. The main premise of the book is that the answer to "What should I do with my life?" does not typically come in a flash of insight or by seeking to discover yourself first. Rather, it comes from trying different ideas or alternatives and then reflecting on the experiences. I have been engaged in the exercise of finding the right career for the past three years. I have did all manners of self-tests, journals, coaching and personality tests to find the answer. This isn't to say that my efforts were wasted because I was able to gain clarity into what I liked and disliked. The problem is that I never took action because I was looking for an "aha!" moment of discovery that never came. By reading "Working Identity" I have discovered that it is normal not to have an "aha!" and that the real value is taking what I have done and put it into action in order to discover what I would like to do.In addition to the approach described by the author, the book is a short read, is well researched(with the research methods included) and has numerous stories as examples. The writing does get somewhat dry and academic in parts, but that is more than offset by the approach, short length and the stories.I highly recommend!

I recommend this book because it turns the world of career counseling upside down, offering a welcome antidote to the traditional career counselors, outplacement folks and coaches who rely heavily on "assessment" and chirpy philosophies of, "If you dream it, you can do it." Ibarra's greatest contribution is to emphasize that self-analysis and action must go together. A focus on self-analysis is easier for the client and more lucrative for a counselor or coach. As she says, implementation is more challenging and difficult than diagnosis. Additionally, she goes beyond the typical "Get out and network!" advice, offering a theory-based prescription to network with strangers and distant acquaintances. And she emphasizes that career change is a winding road, not a straight line -- something any experienced career counselor should know. Her examples echo other recent research by career psychologists, focusing on serendipity as a career force. Mid-career changers have to be especially creative when making career decisions. My only quibble is that her examples come from very well-educated, successful, sophisticated, under-50 career changers. (I detected one 53-year-old male, mentioned briefly.) Those over fifty tend to face additional challenges. However, the principles can be used by anyone at any career stage. Working Identity has a more serious tone than the typical self-help book, perhaps reflecting the author's research and the Harvard publishing imprint. It is not a fast, entertaining read, like so many self-help books, and the author offers no exercises to the reader. Ibarra does not discuss social support that might come from friends, family or a paid coach or counselor. I would have liked to see more discussion of the role of personal conflict, such as divorce, on career change, and I would expect to see at least a disclaimer to differentiate a desire for a new career from depression or other psychological crises. The author stresses the need to find a new community, but there's usually a lonely spot when a career-changer has left the old community yet not been accepted by the new. There are several parallels with my own book, Making the Big Move, which discusses identity loss in the context of relocation. On the other hand, this book succeeds precisely because it avoids many of the pitfalls of the mass market self-help genre. I am recommending Working Identity to just about everyone I know. No glitz, no hype -- it's the Real Deal.

I would guess that most working professionals think seriosly at one time or another about changing careers. Many of us actually DO change careers. This book builds on research that shows that too much introspection can be paralyzing - and that there is no "true essence of me" or "a perfect job for me." We all have many possible working identities, and the way to find the right one for us right now is to take time to TRY some of these out - to take action and find out what it would be like. The book gives many case studies and makes a compelling case. Too bad for all the career-change counselors who are about to find out they've been advising people exactly the WRONG way all this time. Great stuff here.

This is a book for people that don't know what they want to do when they grow up. Most career books take the position that you can divine what you want to do through introspection and self-analysis.(See, for example, What Color is Your Parachute?)The primary message of this book is get out of your head, get out in the real world and start experimenting,even on a part time basis,with the things you think you might like to do. It's a decent read and full of interesting ideas for people who want to change their careers.