Employment Books

Yeah, this was a good book. Very complete. Kinda fun too. Especially for a guidebook

When I graduated from college, I had NO experience and NO job. And then I found the Internship Bible. What an amazing resource! After applying and being accepted to two internships in my field, I now have a job I love...and all thanks to the Internship Informants, Oldman and Hamadeh. If they were here right now, I'd kiss them! Thanks guys..

I purchased Internship Bible for my son last year and he found it very helpful. It's the only complete internship guide out there. He got 6 internship offers.

A hot book! Really useful! Helped me get internships at Microsoft and Late Show with David Letterman

I'm a staff reporter for the Wall Street Journal -- and I used this book to land an internship at WSJ -- which subsequently led to my permanent position at WSJ Interactive. The book was quite helpful, well organized, and a fun read, too. It's the standard bearer for its field.

I love all of Cherie Bennet's Sunset Series. In my opinion they are one of the most interesting teenage series published. I have been to book stores looking for sunset books and have found up to 20 books in the series. I would love to read them all! And I hope you can put a list of ALL the books in this series. Thanks.

I have read all of the Sunset Island Books and this is definetly one of the best of the series. I cried during parts of it, especially towards the end. I couldn't believe they were all going away for the winter. But, definetly a very good book.

I have read all of the books in the series and they are the best. But Sunset Forever is the best it Shows that your best friends are people that you can depend on and that will be there for you always and forever.

I have read every single one of the series Sunset Island and it was i must admitt the best series I have ever read. The last book Sunset Forever though was the best book in the whole series. I was sitting reading the end and the tears were rolling down my cheeks. I just wished it would never end becasuse i it did the whole series would be over.

Cherie really captured the true meaning of friendship in this novel. Sadly enough, it was the last one in the Sunset Island series,( the best series ever) and it really blew me away. I cried and I laughed. Although I couldn't wait to find out what happened, I longed for the book to never be over because the thought of finising my favorite series ever was a bit sad. It really exposed how love can affect your life, through friendship, and romance. The ending was a suprise, and as I read it through tear-stained eyes, I smiled. I had hoped that there would be another Sunset book after that one, a follow-up, but I guess that would ruin the effect. This book was the best in the series and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in teen fiction. Peticularly those who love Cherie's books as much as I do.

What Not to Do When Seeking Employment by Jay B. Crawford. Reviewed by Adrian A. Barnie, CFE, CAMS, CPP.

Those of us who have endured or suffered the life experience of being laid-off, fired, made redundant or whatever, know there is a cottage industry of how to get a job. They tell use or for an astronomical fee what we should do such as how to market ourselves, modify resumes and attitude, etc. In the self help environment there are no books that tell us what not to do.
What Not to Do When Seeking Employment approaches the job search area with a matter of fact approach. No sympathy is provided. That comes in the first few days of unemployment from our friends. Jay Crawford has offered a very simple plan and numerous suggestions on no what to do. A major suggestion, and a hard open to follow, is don't feel sorry for yourself. The author, Jay Crawford, has written 11 chapters cover his career experience, pressures of the job search, cover letter and resume preparation among others. At the end of each chapter he lists 15 plus don'ts that he recommended be followed. There are a total of 180 suggestions.
In reading the book one major message is certainly proposed - don't loose your sense of humor. Hopefully you had one in the first place but without this stress builds astronomically and will be a deterrent in a job search.
As someone who has been laid off more than once, I highly recommend this book for a job seeker. It will be also valuable to a human resource or job search professional.


Adrian A. Barnie, CPP, CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner,) CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) is with the Anti-Money Laundering Unit of KeyBank's Financial Intelligence Unit in Cleveland, Ohio.

Job search books generally contain good advice on what to do to get a job. But, are you aware of the things not to do? This is where Jay B. Crawford brings his decades of experience as both a job seeker and a job placement expert to your rescue.

In this age of continual economic restructuring, job change is almost always inevitable and almost never voluntary. Job seekers diligently go about the process of finding a job, then wonder why they are still looking many months after they started. What went wrong? This is where people tend to remain clueless--and, consequently, jobless. Crawford tackles that problem head-on.

In the first chapter, he talks about his own career--one that would make a decent plot for a movie--and provides ample lessons that he summarizes with a listing of "Don'ts" at the end. He continues the pattern through each of the subsequent chapters, always summarizing the lessons learned with a list of "Don'ts" at the end of the chapter.

The next two chapters deal with the mindset you need to have and the pressures you face. The next two chapters discuss how to prepare for your job search and some options to explore while engaged in it. The next four chapters (6, 7, 8, and 9) get into the nitty gritty of conducting the search (cover letter and resume preparation, interviewing overview, telephone interviewing, and in-person interviewing, respectively). The tenth chapter addresses how to overcome a failing job campaign, and the eleventh chapter summarizes the book so you don't forget the most important concepts.

As Crawford relates his own experiences and the lessons learned therein, he frequently uses the experiene he's talking about as the basis for advice on how to keep the job you have. And it's pretty solid advice.

Crawford's style is that of a mentor. As I read this book, I felt like Jay Crawford was sitting across from me talking to me, with my best interests at heart. The text is crisp, entertaining, and energetic--all with a personal touch. Crawford strikes me as a man who doesn't speak unless he has something to say. And when he does say something, it's worth hearing.

If you're a wage-earner, this book should definitely be in your collection. But, I think it has more value than just that. If you are a parent, consider asking your child to read this book and talk with you about it (you could break that effort down into one chapter at a time, for younger children). You will both learn from that, plus have a meaningful exchange. And, your child will learn some valuable life lessons.

This book isn't about what tricks to perform to get an employer to hire you. It's about how to be a more desirable employee while conducting a job search, and how to avoid the common mistakes that could shut you out of the job you want.

Exceptional book based on real life experiences, both good, bad and in between. The author's advice is crisp, practical and stands to be effective for anyone seeking to increase their maketability. If you've ever wondered why you weren't getting interviews or job offers, you should without a doubt, read this book. Well done Mr. Crawford, I hope to never be "sitting on a curb in Cleveland".

Regards,
Craig Flanagan

Review of WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN SEEKING EMPLOYMENT,
by Jay B. Crawford; Publisher: AuthorHouse.

The reviewer, having been unemployed, or 'underemployed', SEVERAL times within his forty year journey through the civilian - not counting a few years with Uncle Sam - side of the working world, has a special appreciation for this unique work.

The author's approach is different from the established norm, different from the 'run of the mill' self help books on the 'job search' topic. Considering all of the books, articles, words of wisdom that this reviewer has been exposed to over the past four decades, he has never seen such an unusual approach to the never-ending problem of 'all of a sudden, I'm out of a job'!

What do I do now'?

PANIC!!

The author describes actual situations - personal trauma - sustained throughout many years within the Security Profession, mistakes made, lessons learned - and tells readers what NOT to do while making one's way through - in this case a specific - but in other situations all professions - save a few.

The major benefit one should derive from this effort is a simple compendium of what job seekers shouldn't do when trying to advance within a profession, or when seeking another position within the same profession.

Telephonic interviews are a relatively new initial approach being utilized by search firms and employers in order to winnow the list of prospective hires down to a manageable number, and in the process save time and money. The book devotes an entire chapter to handling this approach.

The work is short but practical; just over one hundred pages in eleven chapters, but there are more than one hundred seventy-five "don'ts", ranging from the comical - "Don't worry about studying the night before a drug test", to the practical, "Don't dress casually", to the obvious "Don't wear sunglasses inside a building".

The reviewer, Thomas W. Leo, CPP, is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point

As a former executive recruiter with 14 years of expierence in matching people with job opportunities, I can tell you it is WHAT NOT TO DO that will keep the employer's interest level until an offer is received and accepted. Remember, if you are interviewing, they have already found an interest. It is now your job to make sure they don't lose it. What to do comes instinctively, but what not to do comes only from life experience and being on both sides of the hiring desk. Jay has done job seekers a big service by documenting these interview killers and sharing his experiences with the readers.

While the title indicates it was written for stay-at-home moms and dads, almost everyone can benefit from this book. Heather Shepherd designed a book for individuals who wish to supplement their income, while caring for small children and working from a home office. Shepherd spends considerable time focused on the self-evaluation aspect of starting a business. Here, she presents self-evaluation guides, checklists and advice if your skills are weak.

Shepherd supplies charts and questions to ensure individuals choose the correct home-based business. The actual business suggestions are divided into two categories based on start-up costs: $0-$100 and $500-$1,000. Within each business idea, Shepherd provides a brief overview of the business, projected money needed to start the business, business equipment needed, education/skills required, where to find clientele and a starting point. She also offers a "learn more" section for each business. In this section, she gives the reader websites, books organizations and groups that may be helpful when starting this business.

Readers are presented with a complete look at a sample business plan and a step-by-step guide to writing their own. Shepherd provides readers with several case studies of successful individuals who have started and maintained their own home-based businesses. The information supplied in this book can serve anyone wishing to start their own business as a useful reference guide.

101 Businesses You Can Start With Less Than One Thousand Dollars: For Stay-at-Home Moms & Dads by Heather Shepard is a great resource for anyone that is thinking about starting an at home business. The benefits of an at home business are growing larger every day and this book shows how one can make a success out of working at home.

The way Ms. Shepard organizes the book makes it very easy to follow and utilize. She takes the reader systematically through the processes of selecting a business, setting up a home office, making a business plan, finance options and advertising. I found the chapter on self-evaluation to be a valuable tool. In this chapter, Ms. Shepard has the reader ask themselves the hard questions to determine if they are truly ready to start their own business and to find out what direction would be the best to take. This aspect of the book shows that it is not a scheme to become a millionaire overnight. Instead, this publication is a serious guidebook shows the reader their strengths and weaknesses. In turn, the book provides the reader with resources to strengthen their skills if they need to.

I feel that this book is not just a guide to starting a business, but also one that is a reference in order to keep a home based business on track. Finally there is a book that gives the aspiring entrepreneur helpful and practical advice in plain straightforward language.

This book is marketed toward stay-at-home parents, but it useful for just about anyone over the age of 18. The best way to protect yourself from a recession is to have a bank of skills you can fall back on, and 101 Businesses You Can Start With Less Than $1,000 should give every reader at least five ideas for making extra money.

The best thing about 101 Businesses is its comprehensive look at how to succeed in each job. I never knew how to become a voice-over actor, but now I do. I know what equipment I need, who my potential clients are, and how to get started. Every business listed in Shepherd's book has a list of websites and how-to books to help you get off the ground. I was also surprised to learn how many of these businesses require less than $100 to get started.

I also appreciated the clear-eyed approach Shepherd takes in telling readers that these businesses require a lot of research and effort before they become profitable. This is the opposite of a "get rich quick" book. It's more of a "get to work, get happy and maybe get rich" book.

This book has lots of practical, current ideas that could be started for much less than one thousand dollars. The 101 ideas are really well laid out and have links and recommended books so you can find out more. Each idea has specific ideas for how to get started and links to books and organizations for more information. It does not just give you can idea, but it shows you how to get started straight away. The case studies of successful home business owners showed how others have succeeded. The home business owners talk about how they did it and what problems they faced.

What I found most helpful were the sections on business selection and planning. There are simple checklists and questions to find out what type of business you are most suited to and likely to be successful at. It would be really helpful for someone feeling unsure about what type of home business would be best for them.

The business planning section shows that a home business can be much more than just earning a few extra dollars, it can be a viable, long term income if you plan for it. Writing a business plan for a home business is really simplified with the checklists. This was really worth doing and made me think about the future possibilities of my home business.

If you are considering starting a home-business this is the book for you! 101 Businesses You Can Start with Less Than One Thousand Dollars for Stay-at-Home Moms and Dads is the complete guide to starting a home business for parents. If you are a parent considering starting a home business then this is the book for you. It is obvious Shepherd writes from personal experience for she thinks of everything one needs to know before starting a home business. She even includes a self evaluation to see how prepared you are to start a home business.

Are you short on cash? Shepherd included a section about home businesses you can start for $0 to $100. The same section will tell you how to start your chosen home business, and how to advertise so you will have clients.

As an educator I found this book to be a "must read" for students of all
ages. The reader gains a better understanding of what positive business
gains can be made when hiring within the disabled community. Further, the
author writes the book in a manner that allows you to know the "heroes"
within the company and gain a personal appreciation for what each one brings
to the work place, ultimately allowing a better understanding of the talents
a truly diverse workforce brings to enhancing the business and the lives of
each individual.

I hope this is only the beginning of Nancy Henderson Wurst's career in book
writing. Her ability to help the reader know and understand the lives of
the people she writes about is a true gift to the reader. This book is for
everyone willing to learn.

This book inspires people of all abilities to appreciate one another's differences. There are many interesting stories related throughout the book. It's a must read for all organizations.

I am lucky enough to know David Morris personally, he is an inspiration in my life. Nancy Henderson Wurst captures in this book what David brings to the world, and we all need to know that compassion CAN live in the successful business world. I've also been lucky enough to meet some of those who David hired, persons who were "unhirable" by traditional standards. Wow, what a thing it is to see ABLE where others see "disabled". Just imagine what that does for that person. David brings compassion, harmony and ease into the bigtime corporate world and into the lives of everyone around him. Seeing David live his life, run his business and accept others is a major catalyst for the creation of a new business venture I am bringing to the world. Just last night I figured out how to also involve ABLED persons into the mix! It took 2 months of brainstorming but now I get to also try to make a little difference in the world, and I feel great ..thanks to David! No kidding, if you are a business person who has a yearning to also contribute to the world AS you do business then you should read this little book, I bet you WILL find some possibilities in there that will bring beauty to your life ..and to others. Have a good day.

I've worked with the disabled for many years and I am in fact able myself after having suffered a broken neck seven years ago.
Nancy Henderson Wurst has captured the essence of compassion and understanding in this population as she introduces you to a man who has totally embraced our differently abled friends to his advantage as well as to their own.
David Morris at great risk and with tremendous courage creates a workforce consisting mainly of disabled people and turns his business into a gold mine.
Hiring people that no one else would have is a story that touches the soul and will enrich, enlighten and change the way you think of these precious souls you once thought DIS - Abled.

This book should be read by every C.E.O. who cares about his employees and wants to improve his company profitability; and should be required reading in every H. R. Department and business School. Mr. Morris has shown great courage and vision. He and Ms. Henderson-Wurst deserve to be given as much prime time publicity as possible to showcase the people in their book. I am 53 years old, born with Cerebral Palsy, trained as an Attorney, in London. I have never met an employer, with the vision of Mr Morris.

Wow! Tony Beshara's book is a godsend for job-seekers going through the emotional, sometimes defeating process of looking for the right job. Beshara obviously has many years of real world experience at dealing with employers and candidates. This book provides realistic scenarios of how the candidate should prepare for the interview and what they can expect when they walk into the employer's office. Beshara helps you step into the interviewer's shoes and forces you to take a hard look at yourself, your presentation and your experience. He provides dozens of questions that you should ask and be prepared to answer. Concrete, no-nonsense interviewing tips from a pro.

Interviewing is one of the most stressful things a person can do. I have been out of the workforce for 3 years. My children are grown and I decided to go back into the field of Administrative Secretary or Executive Assistant. Something I have always enjoyed and never got bored. Just being off the market for only 3 years, there were so many things that had changed about interviewing and I was extremely nervous about this. Of course all this information was coming from my family and friends. I know they all meant well, but I needed an expert. While searching on Amazon, I came across the book by Tony Beshara, "Acing the Interview." After reading this book, I have never felt the confidence in myself that I feel right now about going on a professional interview. I didn't even feel this relaxed 10 years ago. Tony Beshara's book is absolutely easy reading, down to earth and straight to the core of what you need to know about interviewing. I would recommend this book to anyone that is struggling with the thought of going on an interview, whether you have been out of work awhile or just ready for a change.

Sincerely,

Judy Turner

What a great guide to taking control of the interview in a positive way - when and how to.

How to pick up on key phrases indicating where you stand in the process and how to move yourself from candidate to employee without offending or coming across too aggressive.

Excellent book on when and how to be assertive in a hiring situation where most feel like a helpless victum or rag doll without any control of the process.

More importantly - exactly what to say to get the interviewer on your side and a call to action on your behalf.

WHAT AN EASY BOOK TO READ!
Great writing.

The title Acing the Interview doesn't really describe the breadth of knowledge Tony Beshara communicates in his latest book. If one does not venture to the Table of Contents, the book's cover tagline stating its inclusion of "450 Sample Questions" sounds very much like a dozen other self-help books for job seekers. But make no mistake, Tony is not pandering to the insecurities of those suffering from interview phobia with a warmed over collection of typical interview questions. As in his first book, "The Job Search Solution," Tony wants you to look inside yourself, and to question the common precepts about the job search process. Tony's "questions" include those you ask yourself and those you ask the employer, in addition to the questions asked of you in the interview.

Tony leverages his experience from interviewing more than 24,000 candidates in a 30-year career to make you understand that `acing the interview' is more about the research, planning, and practice you execute before the interview than it is about regurgitating rote answers in the interview.

Acing the Interview is a very strong sophomore performance from the acknowledged King of Recruiters. Those who viewed any of Tony's appearances on the Dr. Phil Show will recognize his conversational tone and sincere passionate concern for matching employers to employees. Not many recruiters can claim more than 6,700 placements in their career. Unlike most authors in this genre, who have very little, if any, real world experience in getting a job - Tony has done it, and is still doing it, every day.

By Marilee Johnson

Interesting book. I jumped on the first job offer after college but was burnt out in less than a year. I like reading and was strolling through Barnes & Nobles when I came across a number of books on how to get a job. I started thinking about changing jobs and ended up going on a few interviews. It was very frustrating. One part of me wanted to just quit and stay at that same lousy job but the rest of me knew I was too young to give up.

Then I saw Dr. Beshara on the Dr. Phil show. Something in his energy and sincerity made me know that what he was saying was true. If he could get that loser Dr. Phil threw at him a job, he could get me one. I bought the Job Search Solution and couldn't put it down.

Have you ever seen those TV shows that reveal how magic tricks are performed? That's what this book is like. There's no rabbit in the hat, the lady really isn't floating in mid air, employers hide behind a bunch of smoke and mirrors. Yet if you look closely, like Tony teaches you, it all makes sense.

It's crazy, but there really is a method to the madness - just as Tony tells you. The key is working your plan and staying motivated.

WARNING: don't skip past his chapters on personal motivation. You may think you're pumped up at first, but finding a good job takes time and you have to stay pumped.

I got a good job. I did interview for a couple of others that seemed even better, but they couldn't get their act together so I think they probably weren't really that good. After reading Dr. Beshara's book it all made sense. Buy this book - it'll be the best career choice you ever made.

As one who has admired Dr. George Schofield's mind and work for years, I am delighted that he has finally chosen to share his research and perspectives on this very significant life intersection. While reporting as a social scientist, Dr. Schofield most importantly shares his own life long journey and his courage to live at life's edges. This authentic voice permeates this work and one feels that one has a wise companion for the road ahead. This central message has never been more true: we are responsible for what happens; I find this a powerful and positive reminder.

"After 50" is a must read for anyone facing transitions in mid-life. Dr. Schofield's book is filled with insightful tools to help navigate this often unsettling transition. My favorite chapter is "A New Framework for Skill and Agility after 50", in which he sets forth a learning plan with exercises designed to examine our own story and abilities. It is an enjoyable read filled with substantial exercises to help us develop our own path and abilities.

George Schofield has provided an easy to follow pathway for each of us to determine our "readiness" for life after 50 and beyond. For many of us whose "eye on the ball" was so intense that we failed to notice that the magic line of middle-age had come and gone, Mr. Schofield provides us with tools to reassess ourselves and our lives while "in transit." As one who has long crossed that line, the advise I've provided others in preparation for the later stages of life is "expect to be surprised." No one can anticipate all of the financial, social and personal changes which arrive with aging (including the welcome as well as the unwelcome). "After 50 It's Up to Us" provides tools for each of us to develop the flexibility often required to effectively respond to the arrival of the unexpected. I highly recommend this book.

Somehow I always thought I would stay young, but suddenly 50 is looming on the horizon! George Schofield wisely and in a very readable format lays it out for us: now that we are here, what do we need to do to take care of ourselves, our families and the rest of our lives.?

Schofield is smart, practical and gave me a lot of think about. I would reccomend this book to all those babyboomers who never trusted anyone over 30, and are now in our 40's 50's and 60's! Yipes! How did this happen? Thanks! I'm buying it as gifts to give to my friends.

By 2015 some 77 million Americans will be fifty to sixty-nine years old and represent the first (and largest) generation in history to be so long lived and have to deal with the promises and problems of such an extended live span. In "After 50 It's Up To Us: Developing The Skills And Agility We'll Need", George H. Schofield presents the results of his own researches on the subject, which include numerous in-depth interviews with Americans in the 50 to 97 age bracket. The result is an articulate presentation offering invaluable insights and an accessible wisdom to the mind-opening possibilities of what an extended life span can offer senior citizens today. "After 50 It's Up To Us" stresses that planning is essential; the pace of change is accelerating; nobody's life happens entirely according to plan; thriving beyond the age of 50 requires development and application special abilities; agility in dealing with changes is a necessity; situations and companions can change as we age -- often without prior warning; aging cannot be ignored; mastering the skills of coping with and benefiting from the aging process is an essential and life-long necessity; living successfully beyond the age of 50 must be a customized plan specific to oneself. Of special note are Schofield's ten tips when negotiating through the unchartered territory of an extended life span. Simply stated, "After 50 It's Up To Us" should be considered mandatory reading for all seniors, and an important acquisition for community library Self Help/Self Improvement reference collections.

Wouldn't it be cool to be the "Turf Czar" described in this book?

David Fischer is an incredibly entertaining writer. I've always wondered how one gets into these types of jobs and this book does just that. I highly recommend it!

This book is perfect for the person who knows that he or she wants a job in sports, but doesn't know exactly where to start. It includes breakdowns of a variety of sports related jobs, as well as hints on how to prepare for the careers and tips a tales from people who have been there. This book is a must own for anyone who is contemplating embarking on a career in sports from athlete to statistician.

David Fischer gives the type of information that anyone who wants to get involved in the world of sports need to know. I was thoroughly delighted

I am a 15 year old who inspires to hvae a job in sports. It gives you great advice on how to get your dream job in sports. I would love to be sports agent and now i know what it takes,the responsibility that comes with it,and how to be sucsessful in that career as well as 50 other sports related jobs

This book provides a powerful example that thinking out of the box can open up a new perspective on a conflict that had seemed to be unsolvable. And this book is an example that academic research can lead to applicable and practical results.

The conflict between work life and family life is as old as the industrial age. We all know it and we all experience it in our daily life. The four authors, all of them experienced researchers, have or most of their lives tried to better understand this conflict and its underlying story. But with this book they went a step beyond traditional approaches. Based on case studies they unveil a number of assumptions on which this conflict is based. They challenge norms and traditional thinking. Career choices, life opportunities, values and reward structures are based on a specific western type of thinking that historically has been shaped by white, married, middle-class men. The result is a system that dominates most of our work-life and effects our private life, that of men and women. The authors question this system from two angles. First, they analyze the often painful struggle between having a life and a career, and how individuals are trying to balance the two. Second, they show that the widely believed assumption: "this system is bad for us but good for the organization" does not hold true. Organizations and work processes are often inefficient and the individual behavior that is based on these norms don't move the whole organization forward.

This book does not make the mistake of ending up with an easy answer. The authors identify leverage points for significant change in organizations. The book has helped me to rethink basic assumptions about work and organizations in the industrialized world and to see new potential for change.

This book provides a powerful example that thinking out of the box
can open up a new perspective on a conflict that had seemed to be
unsolvable. And this book is an example that academic research can
lead to applicable and practical results.

The conflict between work life and family life is as old as the
industrial age. We all know it and we all experience it in our daily
life. The four authors, all of them experienced researchers, have
for most of their lives tried to better understand this conflict and
its underlying story. But with this book they went a step beyond
traditional approaches. Based on case studies they unveil a number
of assumptions on which this conflict is based. They challenge
norms and traditional thinking. Career choices, life opportunities,
values and reward structures are based on a specific western type of
thinking that historically has been shaped by white, married,
middle-class men. The result is a system that dominates most of our

work-life and effects our private life, that of men and women. The
authors question this system from two angles. First, they analyze
the often painful struggle between having a life and a career, and
how individuals are trying to balance the two. Second, they show that
the widely believed assumption: "this system is bad for us but good
for the organization" does not hold true. Organizations and work
processes are often inefficient and the individual behavior that is
based on these norms don't move the whole organization forward.

This book does not make the mistake of ending up with an easy answer.
The authors identify leverage points for significant change in
organizations. The book has helped me to rethink basic assumptions
about work and organizations in the industrialized world and to see
new potential for change.

As a coach and consultant to attorneys struggling to make
the business case for effective and usable work-life practices, I found this book to be an invaluable tool and resource.
Law firms are bastions of gendered assumptions about ideal
workers. The insatiable demand for ever-increasing billable hours makes developing and maintaining a normal life outside of work an extraordinary challenge, particularly for women attorneys. "Beyond Work-Family Balance" clearly articulates the tacit gendered assumptions underlying current law firm work practices and effectively establishes the connection between gender equity and workplace performance.
I wish the managing partners of every law firm would read this.
I'll refer all of my coaching clients to it. At least it will
confirm that it's the system - not them - that has the problem.

This is a book we have all been waiting for. After decades of reflection and debate about how best to develop innovative, high performance organisations, on the one hand, and how to enhance gender equity and work-personal life integration on the other hand, this book tells us that the two are not only compatible, but mutually dependent. Written in a non technical and thoroughly engaging style, the book argues that work practices and norms which are inequitable are also ineffective. The authors have the rare knack of presenting a deep and thoughtful analysis in such a clear way that their argument seems simple and obvious.

The heart of the problem lies in the gendered assumptions that underpin many everyday working practices . The authors point out that assumptions based on traditional masculine values and life situations include the defining of commitment in terms of long working hours that preclude time for family or personal life, and the valuing of stereotypical male competencies, such as heroic action and firefighting, above interpersonal and other competencies regarded as more “feminine”. Drawing on action research in a range of organisations they demonstrate how these assumptions and the practices that follow from them, undermine effective performance, but are so taken-for-granted that we rarely question them.

What really distinguishes this book is that the authors go beyond identifying problems to provide a well tried method for bringing about meaningful change It does not offer one size fits all solutions but does provide a process for reaching tailor made solutions. Their method of Collaborative Interactive Action Research (CIAR) includes examining working practice and the assumptions that sustain ineffective practices and gender inequity and then thinking collaboratively with work teams to come up with innovative solutions to what they call the “dual agenda”. The case studies used throughout the book are based on experience in a wide range of organisations so that everybody should be able to identify with at least some of the situations described. This should leave limited room for the traditional cry of “it won’t work here”.

For all those readers who are interested in organisational performance and change and in gender equity, whether or not they have already made the connections between the two, this book will make compulsive reading. Even the most cynical will find it difficult to totally disregard the central message that gender equity and effective performance go hand in hand.

The long-awaited, "Beyond Work-Family Balance," is finally out! Many of us have been waiting for
the better part of a decade for a full treatment of the worklife
integration experiments at Xerox and elsewhere, and this is it! If you are
looking for a book to get you charged up about the business case for
work/life programs, go elsewhere. If you want the most honest, detailed
account of attempts to make the business case successful in practice, this
is the book for you. The basic argument starts with integration: we cannot
improve things unless and until we are willing to bring the public sphere
of employment and the private sphere of home together, a process that can
range from embarrassing to painful. The second ingredient is the dual
agenda of improving business performance and gender equity. The tightrope
involved in carrying this dual agenda into the workplace is what makes the
book interesting, powerful, and realistic. The authors argue that an
interactive research approach is required to make the dual agenda work,
with the researchers listening and learning almost as much as the
participants in the business world, a process that requires constant
feedback, reflection, and communication. Indeed, an entire chapter is
devoted to lessons for research teams wishing to pursue research while
applying a dual agenda to themselves. Sometimes the dual agenda succeeds,
and employees and managers learn how to improve the functioning of
workplaces for all participants (yes, stockholders even benefit). But the
fundamental honesty of the authors leaves us wondering: is it worth it?
Fortunately, I think the answer is yes, but the authors leave us in no
doubt as to the incredible amount of work required.
The one question left hanging concerns unions, since the parallels
between many labor-management cooperation initiatives and the integration
approach are multiple (if not perfect), but unions are not mentioned.
Well, that leaves something for the next book. Incredibly well-written,
brutally honest, and extremely insightful! A must-read for academics and
practitioners alike.

It is well-written, clear, and extremely USEFUL. And it is very easy to use.

The book clearly presents how to create a powerful career portfolio and market yourself effectively. Very valuable tools presented in a well-written book made this one of my best Amazon buys of the year.

I have worked as a vocational counselor for many years, and I use this book on a regular basis with my clients as well as with my own family/friends. A nice feature of The Career Portfolio Workbook is that it outlines what you need to do during the process of creating a portfolio, but also recognizes that some people don't have the time to work through the process in a step-by-step fashion. For example, the book has a note in the introduction that if you need a portfiolo in a hurry - say, for an interview tomorrow - you need to read chapters X and Y. With a week to prepare, chapters W, X, Y, and Z should top your reading list. If you have more time, read the whole book.

The directions are wonderful, and allow each person a wide range of flexibility in terms of developing a unique style of presentation. The book includes templates, sample portfolios, and other documents you can modify for your own use.

Highly recommended.

The Career Portfolio Workbook is a great resource which I have used to transition into a new profession. I was able to use the ideas in the workbook to market myself and to set myself apart from the competition. I have many career books but this is the best. The system is comprehensive and easy to organize. It is a unique way to manage your career.

This book really works! It is clearly written and is guaranteed to help you put together an excellent portfolio. Only days after using the guidelines of this book to create a PEAKS resume, I got 3 calls for job interviews. It really is amazing and I recommend it to anyone, no matter how far along you are in your career.

I know you've heard it before, buy this book and great things will happen. This book is different. It offers easy to read, true to life examples of what it is really like when your out looking for a job or promotion. The authors base the workbook on how you can set yourself apart from your competition. I was very hesitant at first but gave the career portfolio a try. The step by step directions in the book made a seemingly daunting task quite manageable and rewarding in itself. I put together my career portfolio and have a new confidence in myself that I am sure contributed to landing my new job. I wish I had this years ago.