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What Color is Your Parachute? summary
Richard N. Bolles
A Practical Manual For Job-Hunters And Career-Changers
15 mins
Brief summary
What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard N. Bolles is a job-hunting classic. It's packed with practical advice and exercises to help you find work that aligns with your values, skills, and interests.
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What Color is Your Parachute?
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These days, it can take much longer to find a job, especially a long-term, full-time job.
If you’ve been having a tough time finding the right job, don’t despair. The job market can be an unfriendly place, which is why it’s crucial to have great tools in your toolbox.
Today, we face an ongoing economic recession that has changed the way employers look for candidates.
During times of economic prosperity, it can be a challenge for employers to find the perfect employees; as a result, the employer has to adapt to the needs and preferences of the person seeking employment. This is when résumés will be thoroughly read and company websites will be regularly updated with job postings.
But 2017 is not such a time. Since the economic meltdown of 2008, it’s been rough times for job hunters. These days, employers are the ones in control; with a much larger pool of unemployed people to choose from, they care much less about the résumés and needs of prospective employees.
As a result, it generally takes much longer to land a new job.
Between 1994 and 2008, it would have only taken around five weeks for half of all unemployed people in the United States to find a job. Post-2008, it would take more than a year for just 22 to 33 percent of unemployed Americans to find a job.
Plus, with the struggling economy, employers are on the lookout for ways to cut costs. So jobs are generally short-term since businesses prefer to offer part-time and freelance positions.
These jobs are usually project-based, and they’re cheaper for employers, because they don’t have to cover health benefits or paid holidays.
According to a 2015 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 69 percent of people aged 18 to 24 had been working at a job for less than a year, and 93 percent for less than five years.
And it wasn’t much better for people aged 40 to 48. Thirty-two percent had been working at their job for less than a year, and 69 percent for less than five years.
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What is What Color is Your Parachute? about?
What Color is Your Parachute? (2017) is a practical guide to help you land the job you’re looking for and change your career. Since it was first published in 1970, this book has been a go-to guide for any job hunter, complete with tips on how to sharpen your interview skills and negotiate a solid salary. This newest edition also has invaluable suggestions for how to succeed in today’s digital world.
What Color is Your Parachute? Review
What Color is Your Parachute? (2018) is a must-read for anyone looking to find their true calling and navigate the competitive job market. Here's what makes this book special:
- Provides practical strategies to help readers discover their unique skills and passions, ultimately leading to fulfilling and meaningful work.
- Offers valuable advice and resources for job seekers, including tips on networking, interviewing, and crafting a standout resume.
- Includes inspiring success stories from individuals who have found their dream careers, making the book engaging and motivating.
Best quote from What Color is Your Parachute?
He or she who gets hired is not necessarily the one who can do that job best; but, the one who knows the most about how to get hired.
—Richard N. Bolles
Who should read What Color is Your Parachute??
- Unemployed people struggling to find a job
- HR managers who want to better understand today’s job market
- Readers looking for a better job
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What Color is Your Parachute? FAQs
What is the main message of What Color is Your Parachute??
Discover your ideal career and navigate the job market successfully with What Color is Your Parachute?
How long does it take to read What Color is Your Parachute??
The reading time for What Color is Your Parachute? varies, but the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is What Color is Your Parachute? a good book? Is it worth reading?
What Color is Your Parachute? is a must-read for job seekers. It provides valuable insights and practical advice for finding a fulfilling career.
Who is the author of What Color is Your Parachute??
Richard N. Bolles is the author of What Color is Your Parachute?
What to read after What Color is Your Parachute??
If you're wondering what to read next after What Color is Your Parachute?, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham
- 60 Seconds & You’re Hired! by Robin Ryan
- Steal the Show by Michael Port
- Case Interview Secrets by Victor Cheng
- So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport
- What Color Is Your Parachute? 2021 by Richard N. Bolles with Katharine Brooks
- Get Hired Now! by Ian Siegel
- Give and Take by Adam Grant
- Best Job Ever by C. K. Bray
- Power Questions by Andrew Sobel & Jerold Panas