The New Rules of Work Book Summary - The New Rules of Work Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

The New Rules of Work summary

Alexandra Cavoulacos Kathryn Minshew

The Modern Playbook for Navigating Your Career

4.4 (44 ratings)
22 mins

Brief summary

The New Rules of Work by Alexandra Cavoulacos & Kathryn Minshew is a practical guide for navigating the modern workplace. It provides actionable advice on networking, job searching, and career development to help readers stay relevant in today's ever-changing job market.

Table of Contents

    The New Rules of Work
    Summary of 8 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 8

    Identifying your personal values will help you differentiate between the job you think you want and the role you’ll actually enjoy.

    Ever found yourself on a job-search website staring at the blank search bar, wondering what to type? Traditional searches like this are only helpful if you already know what you want to do. So, if you’re not sure what that is, you’ll need to identify your values.

    Every person’s idea of happiness is different. Think about what you need to feel happy and fulfilled. Perhaps you need a creative outlet, the opportunity to travel or the ability to make a positive impact in the world. These are your values, and they should determine what you look for in a job.

    Chances are, if you’re reading this, your current job might not line up with your values. Kathryn, one of the authors, once found herself in exactly this situation; though she’d landed the job she always wanted, she wasn’t fulfilled.

    Kathryn majored in international relations and French and dreamed of a career in the foreign service. But a few weeks into her dream job at the US embassy in Cyprus, Kathryn realized the pace at which policy changes could be implemented wasn’t what she’d expected.

    It was so slow as to be incompatible with her need to see the results of her work: Kathryn needed a job that fulfilled her need to roll up her sleeves and make a noticeable impact.

    As you consider your own needs, be conscious of outside influences, such as your parents’ expectations for your career, and don’t be swayed by external pressure. That’s something Alex, one of the authors, realized early on.

    Alex grew up in France where school pupils must select a course of study – either science, literature or economics – at age 15. Alex chose science. In her senior year, she then had to choose between biology, math and physics. She chose biology and developed an interest in genetics.

    It was only after relocating to the United States to study genetics that Alex realized she didn’t enjoy the everyday lab work that would be a large part of her job if she were to continue in the field. She was faced with the challenge of reassessing what she thought she wanted. She ended up pursuing a career in consultancy, where she met Kathryn, and cofounded their consulting company, The Muse.

    Just think, if Alex and Kathryn hadn’t taken stock of what was important to them, they’d never have met, and this blink wouldn’t exist!

    Want to see all full key ideas from The New Rules of Work?

    Key ideas in The New Rules of Work

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is The New Rules of Work about?

    The New Rules of Work (2017) is the definitive handbook for navigating the modern workplace. Authors Cavoulacos and Minshew recognize that the way we work has changed in tandem with the advancement of technology and that the way we think about career paths has evolved accordingly. Modern workers expect a job to do more than just pay the bills – work has to be fulfilling, too. Their New Rules will help you discover the career that fits you best and give you the tools to succeed in the modern job market – from application to promotion.

    The New Rules of Work Review

    The New Rules of Work (2017) by Alexandra Cavoulacos and Kathryn Minshew is a well-rounded guide to navigating the modern job market effectively. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:

    • With its actionable strategies, it equips readers with practical tools that can be applied right away, helping them stand out in their careers.
    • By combining real-life examples and expert advice, the book offers valuable insights into building a successful career in the digital age.
    • The book's engaging tone and relatable anecdotes make it highly engaging, ensuring that readers won't find the subject matter dull or uninteresting.

    Who should read The New Rules of Work?

    • Students and graduates still unsure of their career path
    • Anybody stuck in a career rut
    • Employees who started their careers under the “old rules” looking to understand the current landscape

    About the Author

    Alexandra Cavoulacos and Kathryn Minshew left jobs in management consultancy to found the careers website The Muse. They’ve been placed on multiple lists of the most influential people in tech and business, including Forbes 30 Under 30 and Business Insider's 30 Most Important Women Under 30 in Tech.

    Categories with The New Rules of Work

    Book summaries like The New Rules of Work

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    33 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Start your free trial

    The New Rules of Work FAQs 

    What is the main message of The New Rules of Work?

    The main message of The New Rules of Work is how to navigate the modern job market and build a successful career.

    How long does it take to read The New Rules of Work?

    The reading time for The New Rules of Work may vary, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is The New Rules of Work a good book? Is it worth reading?

    The New Rules of Work is worth reading as it provides valuable insights into the changing workplace and offers practical advice for career success.

    Who is the author of The New Rules of Work?

    The authors of The New Rules of Work are Alexandra Cavoulacos and Kathryn Minshew.

    What to read after The New Rules of Work?

    If you're wondering what to read next after The New Rules of Work, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • The Career Playbook by James M. Citrin
    • Do What You Are by Paul D. Tieger
    • The Proximity Principle by Ken Coleman
    • So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport
    • Words on the Move by John McWhorter
    • In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Maté
    • Perfectly Confident by Don A. Moore
    • Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg
    • The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga
    • 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do by Amy Morin