Cool Careers For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance)) Reviews

• A gift that kept giving

  
  By A2NZYSMCHHDPRH on 2000-12-29
  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.
  
  

• Not Bad....But Not Great

  
  By AYBBTTEVO8WZU on 2004-02-11
  I was somewhat disappointed with this book. Although it was organized very well, had a nice index, which made it easy to find things, and was written in a simple, right-to-the-point, easy to read way, the book was a little innacurate when it came to some job descriptions. For example there are many jobs which 5 years ago may not have required a college degree but due to the ultra-competitive world we live in now, they may now require a college degree. This was overlooked on a few of the careers listed. Take for instance becoming a foreign language/interpreting. This has become a highly competitive sought after job and the minimum requirement is not only being fluent in another language but to also have at least a Bachelor's Degree. Having lived in the San Francisco Bay Area, I know how cut throat the job market is so I was hoping that the author of this book was more aware of things like that. Even careers like becoming a police officer has changed quite a bit. Now many police departments require police recruits to have a college degrees, which was definitely NOT the case 5 or 10 years ago. But overall this book was fairly good. I recommend it just as long as you are aware that there may be a few flaws. I also think it depends on where you live. If you are from a super competitive urbanized part of the United States, like the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, or New York, remember that the standard for getting a decent jobs is completely different than anywhere else in the country. In fact I'm hoping oneday a book called "Cool Careers for People Living in California" will be published! Lol!
  
  

• Great summaries of various career opportunities!

  
  By A2TL9FGSMTSQXP on 2003-11-14
  I have been seriously considering changing my career at times and just happened to stumble upon Marty Nemko's website just the other day. I was impressed with many of the articles I read on his website and was eventually led to this book. The next day, I picked up this book at a local bookstore (I wanted it so bad, I couldn't wait to receive it from an online order!) I glanced through a number of books on interviewing, resume writing, cover letters, and so on, and found many excellent books focused specifically on those topics.

  However, what really led me to purchase this book was Chapter 2 - "The Cool Careers Yellow Pages". The pages are yellow and obviously stand out purposely from the rest of the book. I have thoroughly read through these "yellow" pages more than half a dozen times (in one night), comparing different career options. I also read through the sections on cover letters and resumes, but they were a little too superficial. However, that's understandable as this is NOT a book about writing effective cover letters and resumes, and I was fine with that. It's not what I expected.

  What I did expect from this book was to garner some important and key information about different career options, and that's exactly what I got. Chapter 2 makes this entire book worthwhile. I personally have never seen another book that categorizes and subcategorizes careers like this one. I found it a little difficult to find certain careers because I wasn't exactly sure how they would be categorized, but nevertheless, the categories are helpful. If you're a people person, this type of categorizing is what you need; if you're a numbers person -- the same. If you like a mix of both, the category is there. After reviewing all of the summary job types listed here, I now have a much better idea of "where I want to go" with my career. Many of the career listings point to very useful and helpful websites as well, which can give you more in-depth information.

  If you're looking for a book about writing resumes or cover letters, this is NOT the book; again, it's too superficial for that purpose. If you're looking for a career (e.g., new college grad) or a career change or are looking to re-enter the workforce after being absent for some time, this IS the book you need to get started. Once you've narrowed down some career options, you can explore the Internet for much more detailed information. This book really helps narrow things down quite a bit - at least it did for me.
  
  

• This book will NOT change your life!

  
  By on 1998-12-09
  The main problem I have with this book is that it is misleading. I'm in the midst of a career change and thought this book could help. It lists many different careers, but the requirements for each are not presented in a forthright manner. For instance, I was intrigued by the "Hydrologist" and "Celebrity Personal Assistant" avenues. I sent a letter to the address given for the CPA Society, but it was returned. The address was invalid.

  As for the hydrologist career, the book says all you need is a Bachelors degree. It makes it seem that ANY Bachelors degree will do. Wrong. I have a B.S. in Marketing, but I would need a degree, from 1 of a handful of schools, in Hydrology -- or something related, like Geology. It would take a major relocation and 4-6 years of going back to school -- on a PART-TIME basis -- I gotta eat, pay bills, etc., right? That means work & school, school and work. Sorry, been there, done that.

  Most other careers offered for consideration require oodles of experience -- in addition to possible educational knowledge. And if you've already got the experience or education, what do you need this book for???

  I give this 1 star -- it's for amusement purposes only.
  
  

• Finally . . . a career book that works!

  
  By A3O9LNXYWWGD4O on 1998-08-27
  I've been a career counselor for over 30 years and referenced every self-help book there is. This one MOTIVATES clients to DO something. The others all start with what the COUNSELOR wants to do -- this one starts with what clients want -- information about the cool jobs! And it doesn't force the usual program of testing, more testing, and even more testing down their throats. In fact, if clients don't know the answers to the assessment questions, they're told to "skip it" and move on. That's the key -- users aren't stuck in the hard stuff that keeps them from acting. This book is wonderful -- what looks like just a fun surface approach to a very complex subject is actually very thorough. But it doesn't hurt! It makes you want to really take a look at your career.
  
  
• You will be a dummy if you depend on this book
  By A3QH6Y0881LEVU on 2002-04-03
  Sorry, I just cannot believe that the "humorous" and "honest" approaches recommended in this book will work. It all seems very idealistic, flaky and undignified. I value honesty (and humor too!) but there is also something to be said for modesty and decorum. I would find someone using these strategies very off-putting -- the words "sense of entitlement" come to mind. And I am not conservative. So what would a conservative employer think?
  
  
• Misleading
  By on 2004-02-24
  Far too many of the suggested careers in this book are long shots, at best. Nemko makes it sound like if you're willing to get the necessary education or put some effort into getting some expreience, you can move into any of the niche areas he recommends in his book. If only that were true. Too many of his recommendations have long ago been discovered, or are simply areas in which your odds of being selected, even if you are a Harvard grad with impeccable credentials, are about the same as winning a state lottery.
  
  
• The only general career guide you'll ever need.
  By on 1999-05-18
  "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.
  
  

• A note from this book's author
  By A2XTTBXNX2FKOT on 2006-02-12
  I am saddened by the utterly unfair and inappropriate posting here by one reader. She had not read the book, but because I am a mere moderate feminist rather than a radical one, she chooses to excoriate me here. A far more unbiased source, USA Today's review of my book said, "From finding the well-suited job to customizing it, this book is full of smart advice." In the Reader's Choice Poll, it was rated the #1 most useful career guide. Here on Amazon, you can read sample material from the book. I encourage you to do that before making your decision.
  
  
• This book did change my life in more ways than one.
  By on 1998-12-22
  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?
  
  
• A decent book.
  By on 1999-03-08
  This book gave me a few new ideas. I found it to be a inspiring read and I liked the format. Its not a book worth buying though. I suggest you check it out from your local library instead.
  
  
• Basic job hunting info and misleading career guidance
  By A16EPY9NP8WO36 on 2006-10-30
  I came across this book when advising a friend's college-age child who was researching careers and was using this book.
  
  On the plus side, the book does contain info on basic job search skills. I would say that most (if not all of it) is now widely available via the internet.
  
  Very troubling was the inaccurate guidance regarding specific careers - some of it was just outdated, but some of it was inaccurate to the point of being "dangerous" for a reader with little knowledge or experience, and who would choose to spend time/effort pursuing a career based on the info in this book. I would have to recommend against using this book as a key source for making a career choice.
  
  
• Great for brainstorming
  By on 2001-08-05
  This book is great for brainstorming. As a career advisor, whenever I do paper work with clients, I put this book in their hands. It inspires ideas and is fun to discuss.
  
  
• A fun book, but was expecting more.
  By ATCE4ASBHCF13 on 2002-03-12
  After reading through this book several times I found a few problems with it. I noticed that most of the questions found in the "25 most revealing questions" part of the book were not specific enough and did little in helping me find a career that suited my interests and needs. I wasn't able to find a career or two to really research, which disappointed me a little bit.

  There were some good parts of the book such as "The Cool Careers Yellow Pages" which gave a list of many careers and its niches. But There were some problems: It did not clearify what kind of degree's to get for some of those careers. It could have gone into more detail.

  The book was very fun to read and gave me some good ideas to boot. Unfortunately, I was looking for something a little more serious and concrete.
  
  

• An amazing career guide with maximum job search strategies.
  By on 1999-05-29
  The all encompassing Cool Careers For Dummies could only be improved by it's author, Marty Nemko, taking the time to type my resume, search the web for me, and initiate my job search phone calls.
  
  
• A treasure chest of great ideas on how to choose a career.
  By on 1998-08-22
  This book gives you inside information on hundreds of careers, presented in an informative yet fun way. It shows you clever ways to learn more about a career. It shows you an easier way to write a great resume. It shows you how to use the Internet to land a job. It even shows you ways to get motivated to do your job search. I've never written a book review before but this book is very, very good!
  
  
• This book was both entertaining and informational!
  By on 1998-11-19
  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!
  
  
• worked for me!
  By A39SZZ7T3GZG17 on 2007-06-27
  I am torn about giving this book 4 stars, and here's why:
  I cannot stand the whole "for Dummies" series, I think the title is so demeaning -why would I want to read a book where the publisher just assumes I'm an idiot?
  However, I did pick this one up while I was in the middle of a career crisis. And guess what? It worked. I had the book lying around for a while, and finally one morning I picked it up and started flipping through and landed on something that looked really interesting. I did further research and found a school in my area focusing only on this career, and I'm now attending the school happily.
  So would it work for you? Maybe. Did it work for me? Heck yes.
  
  
• A fresh approach
  By A25S9V7YBWOS5Y on 2007-05-13
  The book sets out an approach that considers what the job seeker truly wants in work.
  
  
• Best career guide I have seen yet
  By on 1998-10-16
  I was able to use this guide as soon as I opened the first page. The various practical and not so practical career choices are very easy to find. I also enjoyed the very straightforward and honest evaluation of the different career choices in todays job market. All in all, it is easy to navigate and very informative in a clear and succinct way. The links to additional resources (on the net etc) are a big plus.
  
  

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