CAREERS AF!

In this debut guide, an employment recruitment specialist offers insider information for readers looking for better careers.

As a seasoned career coach, Nadon knows how job seekers can successfully market themselves, and she shares many professional tips in this well-organized handbook. In a friendly, conversational tone, she provides some refreshing perspectives; for example, she writes that even readers in their 60s can begin new career paths. One of the biggest mistakes people make, the author asserts, is waiting to upgrade their career advancement tools—like resumes, bios, or references—until things get bad at their current jobs. Investing time and/or money for professional development is also part of her common-sense, strategic advice. In order to get job seekers started, Nadon gently walks them through some simple professional assessments—such as determining whether their careers are entry level or midmanagement—and then she prompts them to write a career wish list. Presenting an unconventional twist, the author suggests brainstorming the wish list in an inspirational place, like a park or a temple, to leave stagnant thinking behind. Nadon’s prose is fluid, and her breezy chapters include “Mindset Alerts” or short, often lighthearted tips that urge the audience to think creatively. For example, when organizing a career wish list, she encourages readers to have fun: “If you always wanted to be the prime minister of Canada, write it down.” Chapters also feature “Killer App alerts” or insider tips, such as the importance of knowing when to call about a position; for example, a hiring manager may not want to be interrupted during an important industry conference. Though Nadon encourages job hunters to think outside the box, she delivers many practical ideas, such as what not to do in a first-round interview and how to negotiate salary.

A wide-ranging manual that delivers valuable advice for job seekers.