Strategies for Successful Career Change: Finding Your Very Best Next Work Life

by Martha E. Mangelsdorf

Are you ready for a change?

Whether you’re seeking a more fulfilling job or rethinking your career goals after a layoff, the questions you face are crucial. In Strategies for Successful Career Change, seasoned business and career journalist Martha E. Mangelsdorf distills lessons from a diverse group of people who have made the leap and landed on their feet. To help you navigate the challenges, pitfalls, and rewards of career transition, this book will show you how

• Align your professional life with your personal goals
• Identify your transferable skills, strengths, and constraints
• Explore possible new careers in low-risk ways
• Change careers while still paying the bills

You’ll assess your current work life and aspirations, while taking into account logistical realities such as finances, health insurance, and family obligations. Through exercises, resources, and inspiring stories from successful career-changers, this supportive and empowering guide will help you find your very best next work life.

“If you’re considering a career change, this book should be your go-to resource for insight, strategy, and practical advice. But even better, it serves up the inspiration we all need to do something great, thanks to real stories from people who’ve discovered their best life.”
--Keith Ferrazzi, author of Never Eat Alone and Who’s Got Your Back

“The genius of this book is its integration of solid, tried-and-true principles of career change with practical, engaging real-life stories of people who used them. An essential resource for career-changers and those who love them.”
--Margaret Benefiel, PhD, author of Soul at Work and The Soul of a Leader

“If you’re thinking about changing careers, Martha Mangelsdorf’s book is a must-read. Even if you’re not thinking about changing careers, it’s a should-read. Her fascinating stories about successful career-changers will make you ask yourself vital questions that are all too easy to ignore.”
--Bo Burlingham, editor at large of Inc. magazine and author of Small Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book that shares advice on how to change careers. It has some insightful information about how to change careers. It also acknowledges the fact that changing careers is normal during this current time.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mangelsdorf, a former senior writer and editor for Inc. Magazine who specializes in career development, has turned in a useful and practical guide to looking for a new line of work. As someone who gave up a prestigious and demanding position to freelance, she has also walked the walk as well as talked the talk. The book is a conglomeration of practical advice, anecdotes, and suggestions, logically arranged. Mangelsdorf is especially good at providing references for future research and works by other authors. The author seems to understand that career change can be difficult and demanding, and books like hers can provide people with some useful support as they go about trying to change their lives. I certainly plan to use some of the tools she presents here in my own career journey.

There is however one big problem here. This book was clearly written before the Great Recession began decimating the employment market. While there are mentions of dealing with problems, the approach here seems geared to more-or-less normal economic times, and lacks an awareness of this enormous, overarching problem. The timing of this release may not have been the best. But then again, maybe Mangelsdorf's thoughtful, practical job-seeking wisdom is just what many readers need, regardless of what the latest news reports say.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful manual for smooth career change

Some people decide to switch careers to pursue more gratifying work. Others have career change thrust upon them by company closings, downsizing or technological advancements. Whatever the reason, changing careers can be stressful and bewildering. Business writer Martha E. Mangelsdorf’s common sense manual, while a bit simplistic, does a good job of breaking the process into manageable steps. The first is identifying what you want. That is never easy, but once you manage it, the rest of your transition will fall into place so you can focus on practicalities. Can you find opportunities in a related field or even within your current company? What are your strengths, weaknesses and “transferable skills”? Can you switch careers without additional training and education? Could you overlap careers or work two jobs to maintain your financial security? Mangelsdorf answers all these questions and more, using successful career change stories to punctuate her points. If you are at a career crossroads, getAbstract recommends this guide to help you navigate through the tumult.

To learn more about this book, check out the following Web page: http://www.getabstract.com/summary/11...

[Burgess · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked that it provided a lot of recommended further reading and ideas for self-reflection. I skimmed over most of the (too many) anecdotal stories. Revised to lower to only 2 stars (from 3) because I've been disappointed with the recommended reading.

[Patricia Ramos · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good though I don't like books with a lot of examples of what happened to other people. This makes it harder to apply it to your own life.

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and rich of tips to guide thinking about a career change. Some themes are regularly discussed many other books on the subject, a few themes are novel.