What Color Is Your Parachute Workbook: How to Create a Picture of Your Ideal Job or Next Career Reviews

• CHANGING CAREERS? THERE ARE MUCH BETTER BOOKS

  
  By A4HXUPHK5FT64 on 2000-08-01
  I am a career coach with eight years of experience working with people wanting a new career - a better fit with their talents, more meaningful, a better work environment. If you want to choose a career that will be very fulfilling as well as something you will be successful at, forget about "Parachute". It just doesn't have the depth and wisdom it takes to coach you through this most important life decision.

  Another career counselor who reviewed "Parachute" recommended that you get two other books instead. I agree. They are "The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success" by Lore, and "Do What You Are" by Tieger. "The Pathfinder" is the best career decision book ever, the seminal text, the masterpiece on the subject - this is, if you are serious about having a great life and unwilling to put up with less. I also agree with the other reviewer that "Parachute" is a great job hunting book, but only if you know exactly what job you are looking for. Reading "Parachute" takes some of the fear and uncertainty out of job hunting. But if you are trying to decide what to do with your life, forget about "Parachute".
  
  

• Marginally useful to people deciding their career direction

  
  By on 1999-10-25
  I'm a career counselor in private practice, working with mid-career changers and young people making these decisions for the first time. Over the years, an endless stream of clients have told me that they read "Parachute" and that it was not very useful. The problem is that the methods the author uses are simply inadequate to make this most important of life's decisions. "Parachute" became a best seller years ago because it was a breath of fresh air at a time when there were no other reasonably good career books. That time is long gone - and "Parachute" continues to sell mainly because everyone has heard of it. I recommend that you buy two truly extraordinary books to guide you to a highly satisfying career decision. The first is "The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success", by N. Lore. It is by far the best book on the subject. I recommend that you also buy a copy of "Do What You Are" by Tieger and use it along with "The Pathfinder" because it is the best guide to personality type. It is not my intention to denigrate "Parachute". It is an excellent guide, probably the best, if you already know exactly what you want to do and are seeking good job hunting advice. It gives courage and many excellent tips to those nervous about the job search, but for making career decisions, the books I recommended are much more useful.
  
  

• NOT THE BEST BOOK FOR MAKING CAREER DECISIONS

  
  By on 2001-02-06
  As a career counselor/coach in private practice, I have met hundreds of people over the years who have tried to decide on their career direction by using "Parachute". This includes both mid-life career changers as well as younger people trying to pick a career. The vast majority say that "Parachute" was not much help. The methods the author uses are simply inadequate to make this most important of life's decisions. The author, Richard Bolles is a warm and kindly man, but the book is just too simplistic to help you if you want to be both maximally successful and personally fulfilled in your work.

  On the other hand, if you know exactly what sort of job you are looking for and are looking for a book to provide good job hunting advise, "Parachute" is really excellent.

  If you are trying to make a decision about what to do with your life, forget about "Parachute". I highly recommend the following two books. Get them both! The first is "The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success" by Nicholas Lore. I think it is the best book ever written on the subject, if you want to have work that suits you so well that you actually look forward to going to work. It will "coach" you all the way through the process of designing your future work, step by step. "The Pathfinder" has had a major influence on how several of my professional career coach friends work with their clients. They absolutely love this book, as do I.

  Also get yourself a copy of "Do What You Are" by Tieger. It is a terrific guide to personality type and work. Use it to supplement to "The Pathfinder". With these great books, there is no reason why you cannot have a career you love, if you are willing to really dig in and invest the time and energy in figuring out what will be the best fit for you.

  If you already know what job you are looking for, by all means get a copy of "Parachute".
  
  

• THERE ARE BETTER CAREER CHANGE BOOKS

  
  By on 2003-03-21
  Thinking of changing your career? Here are my suggestions. I am a professional, a former physician, who recently made a 90 degree career change after putting up with work I did not enjoy for many years. I managed to get through the two big problems career changers face : coming up with the courage to make the leap, and the BIG ONE, figuring our just what to do with my life. Now I'm in an exciting, new and different career and doing very well, thank you. I actually like going to work. I recently read this Po Bronson book to see what the experience of making a change was like for others.

  If you are thinking about actually making a change, don't waste your money on this book. It is excellent for providing suggestions to job changers, but if your are seeking a more fulfilling career, forget it.

  There are only two really excellent career change books. The first is called "The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success" This is the masterpiece guide to career change. It is a brilliantly written, in-depth guide to all aspects of deciding what to do with your life, and dealing with the courage question as well. I eventually decided to get further assistance designing my new career from the author's well respected career counseling organization, Rockport Institute, but I was a hard nut to crack. You may not need anything more than this book. The other book I recommend is "Do What You Are", a guide to which careers fit your personality. Though this is not really a complete "how to" book, it is very useful. Get these two books and you will be on your way to a more fulfilling life.

  Buy "Parachute" only if you want a new job doing what you are doing now.
  
  

• Easy to use and understand

  
  By on 1998-12-07
  The small workbook summarizes everything from the large textbook into a easy to use format.

  I got much more, quicker, from the workbook than I did from the textbook.
  
  

• An essential book (even if you're not job-hunting)
  By A2G11ZKL4CXIHX on 2001-11-26
  I recently read Bolles 2002 edition after finding myself unexpectedly jobless (first time for that when it wasn't my choice). Two versions of his book have been taking up shelf space on my wife's bookcase for years, but I have never had occasion to pick them up and even thumb through them. Finally, I have.

  There are literally thousands of books on the market that help with the job search process, covering everything from writing the perfect resume to addressing the career prospects of the photolithography portion of the semiconductor industry. This book covers none of that. What this book does, and does extremely well, is present the job-search process as it should be done; without limiting the process by applying it solely to a single industry. It doesn't cover the intricacies of cover letters and the specific variations of your resume (there are other books to do that). It does walk you through the path of your job search, holding your hand as appropriate.

  Why hold your hand? Well, if you're following the more usual job search, you probably won't want the hand-holding. However, one of the more valuable aspects of the book is clear insight into just what works and what doesn't; and once you hear that, you'll probably want some hand-holding ('cause it's really different from what we all were told and what we'd all like it to be). Furthermore, if you're really serious about your job-search, some introspection is going to be required (what is it you really want to do, and where do you really want to do it?). Most of us enjoy that about as much as a tax audit, but Bolles' book manages to make this effort, if not enjoyable, at least tolerable.

  So if it's so good, why doesn't it get five stars? Two reasons. First, networking, which is arguably the most important piece of the job-search process, gets discussed as a tool, rather than a process, making its entire presentation a little on the choppy side. Second, this really needs to be two books (more accurately, a single book and a workbook). Bolles has gone back and forth from one book to two books (sold as a single volume), with this version presented as a single book. I'd find keeping a workbook open while I'm referring to the main text much more valuable than having to page back and forth through a single volume.

  Regardless of these dings, it's an essential book. I'd recommend reading it even if you're not looking for a job, and not just because, in this economy, we're all likely to be looking for work shortly. Bolles' focus on what it is you'd like to do, and the ease with which he guides the reader through the process are worth the read regardless of your employment status.
  
  

• If you've got the regular text, you don't need this...
  By A3J7BRX2WFXAPB on 2007-02-22
  I though this would provide more info than the book ("What Color Is Your Parachute?") but what's inside are the same exercises... so if you have the book or are getting it, then you don't need this. On the other hand, if you don't want to read all of the insightful text of Bolles's original book, then this is a nice book of exercises! :) [I'd just recommend the original text, though.]
  
  
• Sorries, I don't live in Small Town USA
  By A3LGHL6FQWXH9Z on 2002-11-18
  I was just laid off a couple of months ago from a job I despised with every fiber of my being. My first reaction was purely survival driven-- I started surfing Monster for jobs that were close to my previous occupation. I figured that was pretty much the game... Then, I went to a two-day seminar that was what my former company considered "outplacement assistance." It gave me a little bit of perspective, and a brief step outside of the self-imposed box. Wonderful!

  But I still didn't know what I wanted to do with my life and my career. Outside of the box is a wide universe of possibilities, including the chance to pursue my passion in life: politics and public policy, or possibly getting involved in international business. Still, I had no clear picture of where to begin, even though it was pretty bloody obvious that I needed to change careers. Soooo, I began the almost frightening process of reading every career switching book known to humankind, including "What Color is Your Parachute?"

  I'd eyeballed the copies at the local [store] for a couple of weeks, and finally decided to plunk down my [X] or whatever the cover price is for the 2003 edition. I began reading, and actually enjoyed it, despite the overt Christian references that dot the writing (especially wonderful when you're an atheist). But there really wasn't anything new here! I'd already figured out at this seminar what my favorite skills were, and what I'd be willing to consider with my educational background. I was familiar with networking, and developing a marketing plan, researching companies, etc. I took a couple of the career tests that were recommended by Bolles, and came up with things like "College Professor" which are my eventual goal, but nothing answered the question: "What the heck do I do now?"

  And I think that's one of the key weaknesses of this book. I can't really go into business designing states' public policies for profit, since that's a government function. I can't combine my love of politics, international relations, writing, and drawing in a consulting business. I mean, reality check!

  Eventually, with a little more thinking, I realized that I never wanted to work for corporate America ever again as long as I live. I just don't like it! So, that leaves the government and nonprofit/NGOs. There's surprisingly little directed in "Parachute" toward either of these career directions.

  The only example of a job hunter looking for a government job is some guy living in a small town in the middle of the country, who was able to convince the city government to hire him in some special capacity. That's all well and good, but out here in the Big City, things don't work that way! In fact, in California, city, county and state governments are required by law to post all positions to allow equal competition among employees and outsiders for these jobs. A civil service exam is almost always required, and these positions are posted on the internet as well.

  Problem: how do you network into something like this? You can't! How do you have someone create a position in government for you if you don't live in a small town? You can't! I don't think Bolles could come up with answers to those questions, and sadly, there don't seem to be any career switching books that deal specifically with municipal, county and state government jobs. Despite the prevailing wisdom on how to find jobs, you are almost required to conduct an internet search for government positions. Bolles' section on internet searches isn't very detailed or helpful in strategizing how to do this, unfortunately.

  So, where does that leave the errant career-changer who doesn't want to work for-profit anymore? Pretty much where she started, on her own. Luckily this one has found a nice long term temp job that will allow her the time to think a little more and decide what she wants to do, with the assistance of her alma mater's career center, and a couple of other good career switching books, including the current project, "Zen and the Art of Making a Living," which at least is non-denominational about its spirituality ;-)
  
  

• worth reading and rereading--savvy advice
  By A1TH5D9I442MFF on 2001-02-13
  Richard Bolles has published a new version of this book every year. I read it first in college and used it extensively when I worked as a career counselour. I also used it for career seminars. I can honestly say that every edition seems to be quite different from previous versions, so it is not a waste of money at all to buy a more recent version. (the most recent editions seem to talk about online job search, appropriately enough)As a writer, I can admire his work for its readability, sense of humor and gritty realism. Bolles tells some remarkable stories and while not directly applicable to your career area, they make you aware of how similiar job searching is regardless of your field. Before reading this, you should be aware of what this book is NOT: it does not provide resume advice nor does it provide very much advice about general trends in the job market. This book is a sobering dose of reality, but the interesting thing is that the reader finds this information heartening rather than disappointing because it unmasks many of the treacherous parts of the job search process. As such, this book is a great gift for a loved one who is out of work. It will make them feel good about themselves, and that is good, because a lot of unemployed approach job searches with a chip on their shoulder.

  I used the exercises in the book with clients to help them analyze what they wanted in an ideal job because clients really had little idea what was important to them. Other readers might find that part helpful. I was a little surprised to find that the 2000 edition was smaller than previous versions. Bolles decided to reduce some of the religious/spiritual stuff and to cut out some of the reference lists (with the internet, a lot of references can be put online).

  Overall, I was not impressed by how Parachute covers online job searching aside from discussing generalities. People really need to learn more about job boards like monster and how freelancing opportunities are opening up that never before existed.

  Another thing is that I thought it was unnecessary to deemphasize the spiritual component in the latest version of the book. I'm not superreligious, but his stuff on the spiritual element added a unique perspective to the book and was nondenominational enough not to offend anyone. In summary: this is a milestone of a book. Bolles has spent his entire life making each version of the book better than the last. His effort shows.
  
  

• USELESS - THERE ARE BETTER BOOKS
  By A3VHAQYDCGM2FV on 2000-03-07
  I have bought several editions of "Parachute" over the years whenever my successful but unsatisfying career got under my skin more than usual. It has been the only resource I've used because it is the one everyone seems to know about. But it hasn't worked for me. Until a few months ago I was still stuck, not sure what career would be best for me. Finally I read the reviews of this new edition of "Parachute". There is a great review of "Parachute" by a career counselor dated October 24, 1999 that says "Parachute" is a great job hunting book if you know what sort of job you are looking for. He/she also says that it is pretty useless if you are trying to figure out what to do with your life. The counselor recommended two books. I bought them, used them, and finally was able to make a good decision about my future. I love my new career! The two books that helped me were " The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success" by Lore and "Do What You Are" by Tieger. If you are in the same situation as me, buy these books instead of "Parachute". Or, at least read the review I spoke of. You can find that review by clicking "Read all customer reviews" on this page.
  
  
• Best Job Hunting book on the market!
  By A31AMOD6A10QOL on 2001-05-01
  I bought "What Color is Your Parachute?" in about 1984. I've used the techniques it teaches several times, not only to get the jobs I wanted, but also in other areas of my life.

  The first time I used the techniques I was unemployed. I spent several weeks working the exercises; writing down the pros and cons about what I liked in a job, looking at a number of potential career paths, deciding which companies I really wanted to work for and working out exactly what I was going to say on the phone.

  Once I started calling prospective employers, I received a number of job offers, all of which I turned down! Two of the job offers were over the phone, sight unseen, in a field that I had no professional experience in! One manager literally told me, "I don't care if you don't have the tools and the experience. I need people like you."

  When I finally decided to get the job I wanted, the Human Resources Manager literally had to beg me to come in for an interview. Needless to say, I got the job offer, accepted and did quite well there.

  I can't help but think that those who pan this book either don't understand it or refuse to believe it can happen as Richard describes it.

  The old "mail your resume, respond to ads, try to get interviews, hope for a job offer" way of job hunting just results in frustration and a loss of confidence. You have to believe in yourself to stand out from the crowd. Richard's book helps you do that IF!! you apply his techniques. If you think you're too good to do such "stupid" things or you apply the techniques half-heartedly thinking they're "silly", then maybe you need to rethink what you really want in life.
  
  

• What do you really want to do with your life?
  By A2I5OXSG15YBA8 on 2000-10-21
  For those of you who have reached the point in your life when you start asking the question:"What do I really want to do with my life?", this book is for you. It does not simply contain quick-fix job hunting techniques (although I suppose it could be effectively used for that), but instead guides you through the process of thoughfully examining your previous jobs and understanding what you like to do, what skills you have that you may be unaware of, and how to use this information to get a job that is ideal for you. This book is well-written and easy to follow. The exercises can help you to develop not only insight but also more confidence about the skills you have to offer an employer. After reading this book you will never again settle for just looking through the want-ads again!
  
  
• Short and rather expensive, but a timesaving and valuable resource
  By A1J93EGDYK0IWA on 2006-10-07
  I do a fair amount of career counseling, especially in the area of career transitions. What I have found is that most people neglect to do the introspective work that is necessary to really get down to their deepest passion around vocation. This little book, helps you to do exactly that and provides a structure to do it quickly.
  
  While this book has some value as a standalone resource, it is best to use it as a companion to WHAT COLOR IS MY PARACHUTE. You don't necessarily need the most recent edition either.
  
  This book is expensive in terms of what you get with respect to the number of pages and words, however,the idea behind it is excellent and the structure provided will certainly save you time and provide you with many useful insights about a career or job change.
  
  
• worth reading and rereading--savvy advice
  By A1TH5D9I442MFF on 2000-07-20
  Richard Bolles has published a new version of this book every year. I read it first in college and used it extensively when I worked as a career counselour. I also used it for career seminars. I can honestly say that every edition seems to be quite different from previous versions, so it is not a waste of money at all to buy a more recent version. (the most recent editions seem to talk about online job search, appropriately enough)As a writer, I can admire his work for its readability, sense of humor and gritty realism. Bolles tells some remarkable stories and while not directly applicable to your career area, they make you aware of how similiar job searching is regardless of your field. Before reading this, you should be aware of what this book is NOT: it does not provide resume advice nor does it provide very much advice about general trends in the job market. This book is a sobering dose of reality, but the interesting thing is that the reader finds this information heartening rather than disappointing because it unmasks many of the treacherous parts of the job search process. As such, this book is a great gift for a loved one who is out of work. It will make them feel good about themselves, and that is good, because a lot of unemployed approach job searches with a chip on their shoulder.

  I used the exercises in the book with clients to help them analyze what they wanted in an ideal job because clients really had little idea what was important to them. Other readers might find that part helpful. I was a little surprised to find that the 2000 edition was smaller than previous versions. Bolles decided to reduce some of the religious/spiritual stuff and to cut out some of the reference lists (with the internet, a lot of references can be put online).

  Overall, I was not impressed by how Parachute covers online job searching aside from discussing generalities. People really need to learn more about job boards like monster and how freelancing opportunities are opening up that never before existed.

  Another thing is that I thought it was unnecessary to deemphasize the spiritual component in the latest version of the book. I'm not superreligious, but his stuff on the spiritual element added a unique perspective to the book and was nondenominational enough not to offend anyone. In summary: this is a milestone of a book. Bolles has spent his entire life making each version of the book better than the last. His effort shows.
  
  

• Overrated
  By A1VXF6ZN6S3715 on 2002-07-10
  Even before I received "What Color is Your Parachute?" as a gift, I had heard that it was the "Bible" of job-hunting. It wasn't until after I began reading it that I discovered this is not only a figurative reference, but also, to a great extent, a literal one as well. Bolles, a practicing minister, makes religion a central theme of the book. The 400-page text is rife with Christian teachnigs, and the epilogue could easily be mistaken for a sermon. I found the entire religious context to be distracting and entirely unnecessary.

  Despite this, Bolles primary message is a relevant and important one. He divides job searches into two primary types: traditional, in which one seeks a job matching their current skills, and "life-changing", in which one seeks a job consistent with their own interests and desires, regardless of current skills. Bolles strongly encourages the reader to conduct a life-changing job search, and much of the book is dedicated to exercises to help the reader discover their true calling. (These exercises are not consistent with those found in Bolles' workbook, by the way.)

  While Bolles delivers an important message, and undoubtedly has prompted many people to radically change their lives for the better, I found his writing to be redundant and meandering, making the book much longer than necessary. Furthermore, Bolles' organization leaves something to be desired, as he dedicates Chapter 2 to job searching on the internet, only to tell the reader in Chapter 3 that this is the "worst worst" method.

  If you are looking for a serious job-hunting guide, I suggest you look elsewhere.

  tpm
  July 10, 2002
  
  

• The Best Book In Print on How to Find a Job!
  By on 1999-11-06
  "What Color Is Your Parachute 2000?" is a classic. In my opinion, it is the best book on how to find a job in print. Highly readable and filled with practical, doable, and successful ideas from skill identification to Worst and Best ways to find a job, it assists the beginner and the experienced job searcher equally well.

  In my twenty years as a Career Consultant, clients who have followed the ideas in "Parachute" that apply to their job search have been 100% successful in finding the work they love and for which they have the skills regardless of the job market in their area. Jim Kell, Texas.
  
  

• Out of Touch and Out of Date
  By on 2002-07-24
  Don't believe the hype and the wonderful accolades that this book has recieved, they are totally unfounded. This book like many others written by arm chair acadamiens like Bolles is filled with witless and obvious information that even a Homer Simpson would find routine. The methods do not work. How do I know? I've tried them all and they have failed completely. Bolles continously talks about networking but gives no insight on how to build a network of contacts if your network of contacts is saturated or is limited.

  This book was initially written in the 1970's with some minor changes to reflect the 21st century such as the use of internet sites. The world has drastically changed and the climate for job searching is much more hostile. Even cold calling which Bolles suggests as a last resort only results in irate and often apathetic employers.

  But then again how would he understand, this book is not based on hands on job hunting experiences here in 2002. The job market has becoming more fierce and traditional methods of job searching that Bolles preaches(no pun intended) do not work.

  Besides the simplistic advice that is echoed in almost any job book you can purchase out there, Bolles goes into a mind numbing discussion of religious values which was almost as bad as job hunting advice.

  I think you get the underlying message, you need divine intervention to get a job nowadays.
  
  

• Great overview with helping detail
  By A8Q1VCW1S6HYK on 2000-01-23
  This is the 4th edition of "Parachute" that I have purchased over the years. It always helps me in some way, whether I'm looking for a job or not. It continues to contain great guidance and helpful tips on job searches and career development.

  I particularly like Bolles' emphasis on self-responsibility in your search. Also recommend, as helpful supplements to your career management, books I've read: anything by Blanchard or "The Leader's Guide: 15 Essential Skills."
  
  

• This book does not apply to all
  By A3PKLQ5HDRGFSI on 2002-07-04
  As a professional with graduate degrees in business and science, I was extremely disappointed in this resource for 3 reasons. One, the "language" of the book is characteristic of grade schools texts and inherently instills doubt in the books arguments, objectives and goals. Two, the statistics compiled in the text are outdated and discounted by the author on multiple occasions. Finally, and most importantly, the resource appears to be most applicable to those in the blue collar field. Many examples and self-marketing strategies target positions or firms which require less education and even experience.

  Overall, the book is written at a level for children and suggests strategies that are great if you are not a well educated and seasoned professional. For a book that generates 20,000 copy revenues per month, I was shocked. This text is not for a seasoned professional contemplating a vertical or horizontal career change.
  
  

• You won't feel the impact if you land with this parachute
  By A2W8E91R4R9NF5 on 2002-07-22
  It had been about 3 years that I've wanted to read this book, when a last minute relocation (and subsequent job search) made it at last imperative. Completely re-written for this new edition, I started to read it with an open mind, and have received only positive impact out of it. However, because I knew what I wanted to do from the very beginning, it was not 100% helpful to me. If you are not sure of what you would like to do to earn your living, then this book is for you. It contains numerous tests (including Richard Bolles' famous Flower Exercise) to help you find your Mission in life.

  But if, as it was in my own case, you just need some pointers on how to GET the job of your dreams - because you already know that's what you would most like to do, then you may not need to read the whole book. A few key chapters will suffice, such as the first five (interview tips, how employers look for job hunters, etc.)

  I cannot recommend enough to supplement this reading with its companion website, located at www.JobHuntersBible.com. In it there is an article especially written about what it means to go job hunting in America post-September 11. I don't think many of us know what it really entails and Bolles puts it in perspective here. If you need career counseling, there is a listing at the end of the book that will help as a place to start.

  The fifty thousand dollar question dealing with my finding a job after applying the techniques in this book has yet to be answered, but I would definitely recommend it as a means for the desperate job seeker who has or is about to lose all his hope. Bolles writes with a clarity and honesty that can only be helpful in the least, and give you total fulfillment at its most.
  
  

• GREAT BOOK, GREAT CONCEPT... BUT STILL NO GUARANTEES
  By A3SN9EF7GTNEU2 on 2001-05-11
  I really enjoyed this book and have read it twice simply because I do like the author's writing style and the message he has to convey. There are some interesting concepts here and excellent tips on job search; however, the book really gets into the nitty-gritty of bouncing around statistics based on studies, which proved to be somewhat tedious, a minor flaw of the book. The positives far outweigh any minor negative aspects.

  One apparent and critical element I did find missing from the book was the importance of matching what you do to the need and demand in the marketplace for your area of expertise. If you are a financial analyst, for example, and the marketplace is already overflowing with more unemployed analysts than there are available jobs, than it does not matter what color your parachute is, the parachute is going to come soaring down very quickly. All in all, the book is certainly worth reading and very informative, but like many other things in life...it offers no guarantees that you will ultimately land that job of your dreams.
  
  

• Excellent resource, but full book is better overall
  By A3FPSY1M6G7XIB on 2007-04-14
  This is an excellent workbook resource for those who don't want to spend the time and money to read the full book and do the excercises there (although I would recommend that as a first choice). I did like this slim resource though, and bought multiple copies to use with my patients in a vocational program -- they loved thinking through the exercises, but I needed to explain many portions for them because the guidelines are rather broad at times, and too specific at others. If I hadan't guided several them through the exercises, it would have been worthless. The full book is a far richer and better resource, and gives you much more to think about -- but this is a good workbook approach that summarizes the main exercises in the full book. A hint -- there is one exercise (Very time consuming) that you can skip -- the first exercise asks you to write 5 life stories, then examine them for commonalities in skills -- You don't need the stories to do the ratings at all.
  
  
• Dick N. Bolles - Messiah or Charlatan?
  By A17CKDWU4NZQO9 on 2000-03-02
  I was given WCIYP recently by my uncle during a spell of unemployment, and I read it from cover to cover over a couple of days. Initially I found it compelling, however the more I read, the more that the "So what's new about this?" feeling overcame the compulsion.

  The book starts with a big promise: Conventional job hunting methods don't work, but Dick's cunning scheme will get you that dream position. Then the style settles down for the first few sections which cover self-assessment and skill identification, and which seem good and useful to practically everybody whether they're employed or not.

  Ok, hold onto the table, because here comes the exciting bit! Dick hands you a bottle of his Magical Job Potion! (I won't say exactly what ingredient 'X' is, as book sellers tend not to like that kind of thing). That's dandy, except as Dick's rickety cart disappears over the horizon, you look down at the bottle you're holding and see that the cheap and badly printed label actually reads: "100% Finest Snake Oil".
  
  

• For a complete career change, consider a different book
  By on 2003-08-12
  This book was not helpful for finding the right career, in a complete career change. I lothed the career I was in. This was the first career book I bought because of the recomendation of several people including a couple of career counselers. I believe people recommend this book because of its popularity and not its content. Finding the right career is not a quick and easy 1,2,3 process, it takes time and consideration. I believe this book makes it a bit more difficult than it has to be. I found this book wordy and lengthy; and it seems to have lots of useless information. The excersizes, while interesting, leave alot to be desired and they are a bit time comsuming. After getting fustrated with this book I bought a much more useful book called "I Don't Know What I Want, but I Know It's Not This".
  
  
• not bad, not great
  By A1ON2VQI8Y2OOT on 2006-07-01
  Well, if you have the book itself. There is not much new information. This is a good idea for a class, but I would not recommend it if you are buying it on you own. On the other hand, there some cool stuff in it, but I don't think it is worth the price.
  
  
  
• It is time to deconstruct this book
  By A1LNM9GLK8CQOC on 2000-11-19
  Someone, finally, has to tell the truth about this book, namely that for the person who is "on the beach" or in need of a JOB, not a Zen self-examination, WCIYP is an exercise in navel-gazing that is ideal for the Yuppie who has both time and money to explore What Do I Want To REALLY Do? and Where Do I Want To REALLY Do It? For a person with financial obligations and bills to pay, the book is about as useful as a screen door in a submarine or a peanut butter sandwich in the Sahara Desert. What Color, etc., is The Theory of The Leisure Class translated into nauseatingly real life. Only in America could something so foolish and New Age-istic make its author a rich man.
  
  
• Life altering Book
  By AUCFVHFTVNV3I on 2002-10-16
  This book changed my life. First, a word of caution: if you are bigoted against religion, if you are intolerant of anyone who dares to talk about God and so forth, you should not read this book.
  However, if you are open minded enough and are not neurotic about religious affairs, this book is absolutely amazing. It transcends the usual desperation of many job seekers. Even if you are just in career "survival mode," this book can refocus your heart on the fact that life on this earth is not everything, and eternal value is something that applies to the here and now--- even something as mundane as a job search. To all those who have even a little bit of faith in a higher power: read this book and never be the same again.
  
  
• First Book To Buy For Job Hunting
  By A3FVAWZNKW9GX on 2002-10-30
  "What Color Is Your Parachute" is the first book you need if finding a job is your goal. If you've not bought this yet, you haven't started looking.

  Richard Bolles is the expert. His books sell because they are fresh each year with insight, purpose and ideas for determining what job you should do, and how to get it.

  I used "Parachute" to get my first job. It continues to influence me today, as I job hunt again.

  Thoroughly practical, Bolles asks you questions about your mission in life. His belief is that just getting a job -- even ones you are good at -- won't be a wise decision in the long haul. He helps you see your passions mixed with skills and experience, and guides you to getting their. Though it is hardly a self-help book, it is far more useful than the ones clogging up the Top 10 list.

  He keeps you accountable. Finding a job is your job if that's what you say you want. And if you aren't working, he won't let you make excuses -- you've got the time. Either you are looking or you aren't. Dr. Phil could take a note from Bolles' direct yet congenial style.

  Don't bother with the hardcover. You need the paperback. This is not a sit-on-the-shelf book, but a get-down-to-business book, and you'll appreciate the flexibility while at work or on the train.

  I fully recommend, "What Color Is Your Parachute" by Richard Nelson Bolles.

  Anthony Trendl
  
  

• still here - still great
  By AITHMH7RFHSMO on 2002-05-08
  I love this book. As a career counselor, I'm delighted when a client refers to Bolles or a specific component of Parachute. I then know I'm working with a focused, dedicated and diligent person, willing to do what it takes.
  It's important to know what Bolles does not do. He doesn't cover career trends or updated Labor Dept. information. He doesn't compare resume formats extensively.
  In the 2002 edition, Bolles goes fearlessly into the spiritual aspect of career. Many of us fear being dogmatic on this topic, so tend to avoid it entirely. Yet clients (some of them) are eager to explore a sense of vocation for today's troubled planet. Bolles opens doors into exploration of one's mission which I am eager to pursue.
  
  
• The perennial classic!
  By AIIYS3ARXVLI5 on 2000-12-15
  Even though Mr Bolles may have written this book for the American audience, I personally beleive the ideas, exercise and thoughts expressed are applicable globally. Even if you are not looking for a job or thinking of a career change, it is a very useful book to have on your bookshelf. It should be part of your "first aid" kit in the event you lose your job! The topics covered include how to "define" yourself, salary negotiation skills, finding your mission in life and many more interesting subjects. The skills vocabulary is a useful tool in defining what you can do! The table on relationships with others is another useful tool.
  
  

• What Color Is Your Parachute? 2008: A Practical Manual for Job-hunters and Career-Changers
• What Color Is Your Parachute? 2007: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers
• What Color Is Your Parachute? 2009: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers
• What Color Is Your Parachute for Teens: Discovering Yourself, Defining Your Future
• Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type