When it comes to job hunting, you can never have too much insight into the process. There are many steps to consider, from networking and finding open positions to applying and interviewing. The ordeal can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Like anything, the more you prepare, the better off you’ll be. We chose 15 highly-rated, career-related books to help you land your dream job.

“The Leap: Launching Your Full-Time Career in Our Part-Time Economy”
By Robert Dickie (Moody Publishers, 2015)

The growing “part-time economy” is a job market of freelancers, contract workers, and independent consultants, and no matter what stage of your career you’re in, you must consider the realities of this landscape in your job search. In this book, Dickie explains how to brand yourself and sharpen your skills to succeed and bring in multiple income streams with your talents.

“Moving the Needle: Get Clear, Get Free and Get Going in Your Career, Business and Life!”
By Joe Sweeney (Wiley, 2014)

When your job search isn’t going well, it’s easy to feel like you’ll be stuck where you are forever. Sweeney’s book outlines a plan to help you figure out what you want and chart your path to professional and personal progress.

“How to Stress Less: Simple Ways to Stop Worrying and Take Control of Your Future”
By Benjamin Bonetti (Wiley, 2014)

Whether it’s your employment status, frustrations at your current company or a lack of leads for a new one, your career and job search can be a great source of stress in your life. Bonetti provides tips for rejecting stress and keeping a level head when faced with difficult situations.

“What Color Is Your Parachute? 2019: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers”
By Richard N.Bolles (Ten Speed Press, 2014)

Bolles’ book, which is updated annually and has sold more than a collective 10 million copies, gives job seekers and career changers an in-depth look at the current state of the job market. It provides helpful hints for anyone, even candidates with special circumstances, looking to make a fresh start in a career.

“The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance — What Women Should Know”
By Katty Kay and Claire Shipman (HarperBusiness, 2014)

The job market hasn’t always been kind to women, but as females’ economic and business power grows, so do their opportunities to go after what they truly want. Kay and Shipman, who also co-authored “Womenomics” (HarperBusiness, 2010), aim to give women the tools they need to remain confident and advance their careers in a business world still dominated by men.

“Getting from College to Career: Your Essential Guide to Succeeding in the Real World”
By Lindsey Pollak (Harper Business, Rev. Ed. 2012)

New college graduates often find that they’re ill-prepared to take on the working world after they leave the safety net of their schools. Pollak, a career expert and LinkedIn global spokesperson, shares insider knowledge for young job seekers about how to navigate life after college.

“Coach Yourself to a New Career: 7 Steps to Reinventing Your Professional Life”
By Talane Miedaner (McGraw-Hill, 2010)

Switching careers can be a daunting prospect, especially if you’ve spent the last couple of decades in the same industry. The good news is that it is possible to start over at any stage, and Miedaner’s book is dedicated to helping career changers do just that.

“The Career Chronicles: An Insider’s Guide to What Jobs Are Really Like — the Good, the Bad and the Ugly from Over 750 Professionals”
By Michael Gregory (New World Library, 2008)

If you’re just about to start or change your career, you probably want insider knowledge about what a job in that field is really like. Gregory provides candid confessionals and surveys from real workers in 23 different jobs, with responses covering the industry’s history and current status.

“Career Distinction: Stand Out by Building Your Brand”
By William Arruda and Kirsten Dixson (Wiley, 2007)

As many job seekers know, one of the keys to attracting a hiring manager’s attention is having a well-polished personal brand. Global career coaches Arruda and Dixson present candidates with a guide to making themselves stand out from the crowd.

“The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success”
By Nicholas Lore (Simon & Schuster, 1998)

While Lore’s book is more than 15 years old, it still receives rave reviews from readers who have used it as a means to discover a more engaging, fulfilling work path. With more than 100 self-assessments and diagnostic tools, “The Pathfinder” can help you see your career in a whole new light.

“The 2-Hour Job Search: Using Technology to Get the Right Job Faster”
By Steve Dalton (Ten Speed Press, 2012)

In today’s fast-paced digital world, job searchers should leverage the latest tech to get ahead of the game. In fact, failing to do so might set you back in your hunt for the right position. Dalton’s book outlines ways to do so “through a prescriptive approach,” one that supports each step of the process.

“Knock ’em Dead Job Interview: How to Turn Job Interviews Into Job Offers”
By Martin Yate CPC (Adams Media, 2012)

The interview is probably the toughest part of applying to a new position. Most people get anxious before speaking with a hiring manager, which is totally normal. But the more prepared you are, the better you’ll feel walking into that office or jumping on that Skype call. Yate offers quality tips and rules for job interviews to help you understand everything there is to know.

“Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type”
By Paul D. Tieger, Barbara Barron and Kelly Tieger (Little, Brown Spark, 2014)

If you’re struggling with your career path, unsure of which industry to pursue or simply unhappy in your current role, this is the book for you. By calculating your personality type, it matches your strengths with popular occupations to help you achieve career success and job satisfaction – the ultimate goals. 

“The New Rules of Work: The Modern Playbook for Navigating Your Career”
By Alexandra Cavoulacos and Kathryn Minshew (Crown Business, 2017)

The business world is ever-changing; to find stability, you must be willing to adapt. From building your personal brand to mastering your soft skills, Cavoulacos and Minshew cover modern career trends to help you network for your next job and land your dream position.

“A Foot in the Door: Networking Your Way Into the Hidden Job Market”
By Katharine Hansen (Ten Speed Press, 2013)

Hansen’s book is perfect for any job seeker in search of a new path, especially first-timers ready to launch their career without much experience. Hansen outlines ways to get your foot in the door and create opportunities in an empowering, engaging manner.

Source: Sammi Caramela