What Color Is Your Parachute - Ch2 - Where Do I Go From Here With My Life?

Chapter 2 is basically talking about putting passion first, job-hunt later.

There's a good quote in the chapter, that directly addresses the sense of urgency, which may be on the verge of panic for some. It's from Alice in Wonderland:



"Will you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?"

"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the cat.

"I don't much care where--" said Alice.

"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the cat.

--

So you can certainly go for whatever you can get, but it also makes a lot of sense to make the effort to figure out where you really want to get to.

It doesn't claim that the process is easy, or that any part of the job hunt is easy, but it makes a strong case that working towards a fulfilling job is worth doing.

The main reason is pretty simple: the more enthusiasm you have about what you're looking for, the more energy you'll have to put into the hunt.

What Color Is Your Parachute - Ch1 - There are Always Jobs Out There

The first chapter is both compassionate and realistic. (The Introduction and Preface are also worth reading, to get a sense of context, to get to know the author)

Nelson Bolles, the author, has a kindness about him and the way he regards things, but you can also place faith in his realism, because he has a knack for digging deep into the background. So he's not just writing down his personal thoughts - he's done the (hard) work of really understanding the job market, all the statistics, all the "hard data". So his perspective is valuable, because it's based on thorough research.

But as a reader, you're not just a statistic - the author does seem to truly care. He cares enough to take an entire week, four times a year, just to talk to job searchers, to keep up to date with what they're saying, to really listen to them. He's aware of what's going on, what things are like out there.

Chapter 1 is pretty light, it starts out including some of the things people are saying, what they are going through, and that's addressed, and then what the chapter goes on to say is to tell the reality of the job market - not gloss over things, not sweep things under the carpet, but not to foretell doom and gloom either. Realism.

And I like that he critiques the media a little bit, in terms of how dire the picture is painted, and I agree with his critique. Sometimes journalists, in an attempt to get readership, may dramatize things in a way that doesn't give the whole picture. A sensationalist headline is more likely to get read than a drab one. Dire predictions are more likely to get clicked on than just saying what the situation is.

So the reality of all the people who are out of work is addressed, but basically, through relating statistics in an easy to understand way, the author shows how things have pretty much always been this way. That is, that there always has been millions who can't find work, so while the numbers might be higher, even in the best of times, there are always those who haven't found, won't find, or who give up on finding work. So the media will claim statistics, and the impression you get is not really based on considering that even though the numbers increase, millions are always out of work.

The point is not to discourage, but to address the possibility of finding work. And month by month statistics are given about the number of jobs that are available and being created, the number of people being hired, and things like the continual need of the 178 million people who are working, to buy things.

And the chapter ends up with a good thought: "Even in the worst of times, people in the U.S. have been finding jobs in the millions, this month and every month. Moreover, after that, millions of vacancies remain unfilled . . . all of this is an opportunity for you, if you are willing to roll up your sleeves and spend some decent time doing some hard work figuring out where you want to go with your life, and mastering job-hunting skills that are more than just elementary . . ."

What Color Is Your Parachute - Intro

If you're looking for a job, or wanting to switch jobs, or trying to figure out what you want to do with your life, What Color Is Your Parachute is the best book you could possibly read, in my opinion.



It's sold 10 million copies, the guy who wrote it has updated it constantly, and there's a lot of good wisdom in there. There's practical advice that is immediately useful for preparing for an interview or job search techniques, and there's also another dimension to the book, much more valuable, an open door for those who are willing to put the effort into it - the book can help you figure out what you'd be happy doing.

WCIYP is not a "magic bullet" or panacea or whatever other word you might like to use for something that will solve all issues. But it is rock solid, and because of the wisdom of it, which has happened over the years from someone focused on this issue - there is at least a bit of magic in it. Because you can take the book, read it, and if you put the effort into what it recommends doing, I personally believe you can find a job, for one - and if you have an open mind, I also believe you can find a job that would be fulfilling.

So it's not like it does the work for you, and there's no hidden tricks. It's all about addressing realities - like the fact that the typical way we send out resumes is the technique least likely to result in getting a job. But what it does show is a series of helpful techniques that are proven to increase your chances of getting a job. It's not late night television. Unrealistic promises are sometimes made on television commercials, which often promise to deliver something fantastic without requiring any effort. This book doesn't do anything for you - but it shows you how to do it yourself -- or ideally, with a friend. It won't reduce the amount of effort required to find a job, but it can reduce waste.
you can't get the book for "only $9.95!" - but you can get it at the time of writing for $12.91 USD on amazon.com.

And I really do think the job can give a person hope. Like if you're out there and got laid off, or have been looking, doing the best you can - this book is like having an expert working for you, to give you the best techniques.

And part of the technique might involve identifying your transferrable skills -- that is, skills you have, things you are good at (which you might not even realize or place value on). And in most cases, there are some things that you actually enjoy doing, or skills you had in your last job, or current job, which can be transferred to another "type" of job.

So when you start thinking with an open mind, and when you consider how the book has sold 10 million copies, I think it's a solid source of hope. You get out of it what you put into it.

The book won't get you a job.

But I do believe it is a powerful tool for finding one. And even if you already have a job, the book is worth reading, to help you think about getting into a career that would make you happy, or at least happier. And yes, sometimes there's no choice, for whatever reason. But for the other majority of cases where there is a choice (but where many of us just stay in a job even though we're not really satisfied or happy) -- wouldn't it be worth spending 13 bucks on a book, and putting the time into going through it - if the result could be a job that we'd be happy doing?

I think the answer is yes.

So I'd *highly* recommend reading the book.

And I'd also recommend getting two copies, and finding someone who will go through it with you. Because we're all human (except for Google, which will read this blog post at some point) - and it may help to go through with someone.

Suggestion:

1) Get 2 copies of book
2) Find a friend who wants to go through it
3) Read 1-2 chapters, discuss once a week

Do it.

If you are like me, you'll never actually "feel" like doing it.

So really, you just need to do it.

2 copies = 26 bucks plus shipping. A small price to pay.

Amazon link below:

http://www.amazon.com/What-Color-Your-Parachute-2010/dp/1580089879/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260745923&sr=8-1

And what this blog is all about is simply that I'm going to go through it and put down a few thoughts about each chapter, to spur some thought; so feel free to come back and check the blog out after you get the book.

Note: the book is updated every year. Libraries sometimes have it - but I do think it's worth buying whatever the latest edition is.

Best wishes!