Parachute
Glenn Daniel
General Manager | Operations | Sterilization Services | Change Management | Veteran
As I more towards my transition from military service to the civilian work force it has been recommended numerous times I should read the book "What color is your parachute".
I took the advice and downloaded the book. I prefer to listen to leadership / self-help books vice use a printed version. I also promised several people I would give my review. I realize that 10 million people have read this book, it is wildly popular and has been in print for years. I was hesitant to give my review feeling I'm not really qualified and a book with so many readers and reviews speaks for itself.
*** Full disclosure....I did not complete the exercises, specifically the flower chart and I realize that is the most important piece of the book. I plan to purchase a printed version of the book, read it again and complete the exercises as outlined.
For those I have emailed or spoken with here, you know that I am struggling with the direction I should focus job search on after my service, hence the book recommendation.
I had some preconceived expectations regarding the book but was surprised by the amount of topics included that didn't focus on finding yourself. There was several helpful topics / chapters that reinforced many concepts, recommendations and strategies I have heard or read in other books.
Overall I didn't feel the book was helpful in narrowing down an area of focus (again I didn't complete the flower exercise so I know there is still more). I was caught off guard by the constant exercises and lists the author wanted the reader to complete. Every chapter wanted you to make a list that had six sections and four parts. I mention this because listening to this book will require you to have a pen / pencil and plenty of paper. There is a lot of work required throughout the book. I was expecting to take notes but wasn't expecting the amount of work required of this book. It seems more like a college course then a self-help book. In fact in the audio version they highlight the success of a women who used the book to find a new career. What they emphasized during her search and success with this method was she spent 10 hours a day for three weeks doing all the exercises.
I was surprised, by what I thought was in the main point of the book was only discussed in a couple of chapters. For me I think the book could be broken into two books. One book would be helping to identify some things about yourself (which I thought the entire book was about) and the other being the job search process, interviews, resumes, researching companies salary negotiations and the overall hiring experience.
I realize I complained about the amount of work the book requires. I realize that this may come across as me being lazy. Yes, the book requires work. No, I'm not lazy, the book was just ok for me. I did take away some helpful insights, most importantly there is no easy button. As with everything in life, success requires hard work, lots of it. Reading a book, article or having a conversation with someone may inspire you, may help motivate you but it won't automatically make things happen for you. While this book didn't give me what I was looking for, I did get some good information from it, will read it again and was definitely not a waste of my time. I have plenty of work to do ahead to help me reach my goals.
Instructional Design Specialist @ Millennium | MBA, Training
5 年I bought the book and workbook too with all intentions of doing the exercises but have been busy working on my PHR certification.
Lead, Education Products, SHRM
6 年Not many people prepare for their transition. Whether or not you found the book helpful is not as important as the efforts you are willing to go to ensure you find the right fit. The civilian world of work will be there. Take the time you need. Best of luck with your transition!
I help individuals (especially Veterans) develop the ability to make informed, self-directed career decisions, and to conduct effective employment searches ... chrishogg_linkedin(at)yahoo.com
6 年Glenn --- This in fact is a very good and helpful review. As you said, there is no easy button; would that more vets learn that fundamental and vital truth. Three comments: 1) You need to re-write your entire LI profile starting with your headline using the Civilianese language; 2) In order to do that you need to discover what you want to do and how you want to do it; 3) In order to do 2) Parachute (the flower) can help, but, there is an even more effective way, that being networking and informational interviewing. You can do this on-line (The 2-Hour Job Search) and better in-person (Smart Networking (Lynch) and The 20-Minute Networking Meeting - Professional Edition). The idea is to identify, contact, and meet with individuals at a level who could hire / make a job for you, and NOT ask for a job or a reference to a job, but simply for advice and guidance. Let the process work and it will guide you to the right career field and even to job opportunities within that field. Give this enough time. Remember, there is no easy button :)