It’s not often I review a book whose author self-proclaims NOT to be an expert! (In this case, not an expert “in the field of work. Or in any other field.”) If you are a believer in the value of experience, however, I think you will agree that Karen Burns, author of  The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl has a lot of great insights and useful information to share with readers seeking a job, a career or just a nice way to spend an afternoon reading an empowering story about work! (Don’t miss her blog – an equally good read!)

Karen’s claim to fame is that she held 59 jobs over 40 years in 22 cities and 4 countries. (Mind you, she started when she was 9.)  All that job hopping and experiences led to a lot of terrific life lessons. One of my favorites was the chapter on “Advanced Job Hunting.” Here, Working Girl notes:

The best way to get a job you will LOVE is to figure out:

• What you want to do,
• Where you want to do it,
• and WHO you want to do it for,
• and then go apply at places that supply all that, whether or not they “have an opening (p. 96).”

Another reason I liked this book? It gives advice that mirrors what I tell my clients! For example, job seekers should:

• Be prepared. (To talk about what you have to offer.)
• Be cool. Job hunt from a position of strength.
• Be irresistible.  Build a website. Write a blog. Comment on other blogs.
• Be in the loop. Ask for help.
• Be thorough. Find as much as you can about potential employers.
• Be persistent.
• Be real. (Not arrogant.)
• Be patient.

(Read more on pages 97-99.)

This book encourages readers to take their own paths (even suggesting reading the book itself in random order) and reminds job seekers and careerists that, while there are certain factors that may be out of their control, the journey along the way can be exciting and even fun! I’d recommend this terrific guide to anyone who needs some practical, down-to-earth advice about job seeking, job hopping and finding your career bliss!

Here is Karen’s video about her book:

You know what you want to do, but need help getting there? Learn how I can help you find a job!

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Comments

1. September 29th, 2009: Working Girl Says:
   

   Thanks, Miriam, for the wonderful write-up.

   As per “experts”: I have a thing about people calling themselves experts–eeveryone does, it seems, at the drop of a hat! So I purposely do not call myself a career expert. I’m someone who has had a lot of work experience and written about jobs/career/work for a number of years (a weekly column for U.S. News & World Report in addition to “the book”).

   Does that make me an expert? I don’t know.

   Should people believe & heed the words of experts? Ha. I think when you are trying to learn anything it’s good to read a lot, talk to a lot of different people, apply your own knowledge of the world and your good common sense–and then decide for yourself.
   Working Girl´s last blog ..Do Aptitude Tests Work?

2. September 29th, 2009: Jorge Lazaro Diaz Says:
   

   I’m constantly scouring the Internet looking for job hunt resources to share with my online job seeker audience. I have a book review category at my site (see http://www.careerjockey.org/category/book-reviews/) with almost two dozen reviewing books. I will be adding a post later this evening referencing your comments on “Amazing Adventures.” It seems like a great resource for my readers.

   Thanks for the great material.
   Jorge Lazaro Diaz´s last blog ..“Devil Wears Prada” Lesson: You’ve Got to Develop Career Self-Awareness

3. September 30th, 2009: Miriam Salpeter Says:
   

   I think this book is a great one to highlight! Thanks!

4. October 15th, 2009: Jorge Lazaro Diaz Says:
   

   I’ve got Karen Burn’s book. What a treat. She writes 59 real life lessons you can take with you and apply. She addresses sexual harrassment, lack of confidence, office politics, fellow employee envy and many more. Each lesson is about 3 or 4 pages and with her whimsical writing style serves as both education and entertainment.

   I’ll be writing a CareerJockey.org book review soon and will be giving my wife and three daughters each a copy very soon.
   Jorge Lazaro Diaz´s last blog ..Thrill Seekers, Job Hunters and Souls Seekers Have So Much in Common

5. October 15th, 2009: Miriam Salpeter Says:
   

   Jorge – I’m glad you agree that Karen’s book is a great resource! Be sure to ping me when you write it up!

6. October 19th, 2009: Jorge Lazaro Diaz Says:
   

   Finished reading the book and writing my own CareerJockey.org book review. The book’s a winner.
   Jorge Lazaro Diaz´s last blog ..Job Hunt Secrets You Never Thought You Needed from “The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl”

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