Richard Nelson Bolles presents an updated version of one of the most widely acclaimed exercises from PARACHUTE, the Flower. This highly effective tool, reproduced here in handy workbook form, helps readers target their ideal work situation. Simple step-by-step worksheets focus on translating personal interests into marketable job skills as well as often-ignored issues such as spiritual or emotional fulfillment in the workplace. These exercises are easy to do yet thought provoking. When completed, the workbook will present you with a full picture of your ideal job.

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".

227 of 242 found the following review helpful:


Marginally useful to people deciding their career direction  Oct 25, 1999
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.

147 of 156 found the following review helpful:


NOT THE BEST BOOK FOR MAKING CAREER DECISIONS  Feb 06, 2001
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".

135 of 145 found the following review helpful:


THERE ARE BETTER CAREER CHANGE BOOKS  Mar 21, 2003
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.

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