I packed a lot of books to read over the holidays – ones I’d been sent, had picked up based on personal recommendations or by authors I know. Most were in the career / work / business category and knowing that January is a prime month for those mulling career changes (I see the uptick in views on my LinkedIn posts!), here are some recommended reads (beyond doh! my own book):
Reach Out by Molly Beck. Found myself nodding and cheering a few “Hell Yes!” when reading Molly’s advice. A favorite tip is at page 65 where she says (in the context of crafting an email ask aka seeking a favor from someone):
The key to a great Favor is to ask a particular, definable question whose answer cannot be found on Google and can be answered easily in a paragraph or so via email.
Oh yeah! Asking for a Favor (to use Molly’s terminology) is what makes you a great network builder too. If you can find the answer to your question elsewhere (Google, a podcast, book, blog etc.) then find the answer, and ASK your contact a better question. Boom!
Switchers by Dr. Dawn Graham. Oh, how many flagged pages is too many…IF a career switch is on your 2019 wish list, read this book! From going back to school, doing the research and gut checking to see how serious you are about a switch:
If you’re serious about a switch, you can alter spending habits, rebuild your vacation bank, or relocate to a new place. And if you aren’t willing to make any sacrifices, it may be a sign switching isn’t right for you.
This book is invaluable.
Yes, there is a career switch tolerance questionnaire at page 10 of Switchers! Yes, ignoring your network is a career switch killer (page 17)! Yes, you should ONLY be focusing on PLAN A (page 51) – ’cause if you’re not putting 100% into YOUR career and making a transition, why should anyone else bother investing in you? Yes, you should weigh whether going back to school to make a career switch is necessary or not (page 76). As I share in BUILD YOUR DREAM NETWORK, I went back to school to fill in gaps in my resume in order to respond to the inevitable “but you’ve never done this before” in an interview. And starting at page 162, Dr. Dawn has some terrific templates for reaching out to contacts that have gone cold AND who you believe will be helpful in your career switch.
Growth IQ by Tiffani Bova. As Tiffani says at page 9:
My goal is to help you Get Smarter About the Choice That Will Make or Break Your Business.
Boom. If you’re selling goods or service is book is A. Must. Read. If you’re not the sales person in your company, read this book. To quote Tiffani (page 180):
At its core, sales is about relationships and trust.
My takeaway: sales is EVERYONE’S job at a company because every employee is responsible for building relationships and trust.
