The five-star career reads you’ve been waiting for 

4 August 2023

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Looking for your next read? Start with this blog and bookmark our top five recommendations. Read on to get to know the authors, grab our top takeaways from their books and why we think these make good career reads. Make sure to scroll to the end for our bonus podcast recommendation.

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ONE
The Start-Up of You: Adapt to the Future, Invest in Yourself, and Transform Your Career

Who – By LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and venture capitalist* Ben Casnocha.
Published by Penguin Books
*an investor providing capital to companies with high growth potential in exchange for a stake

What – The book explains how to succeed in today’s career world by managing your career as if it were a start-up. It offers practical advice on building professional relationships, taking intelligent risks, and adapting to the changing job market.

Why – Read this book if you want a framework to achieve your professional ambitions!

Top takeaway – “Invest in yourself like a start-up, continuously adapt, and build a network of relationships that will support your career growth.”

“This is a practical book that shows you how to take control and build a career that will enable you to have a real impact” – Sheryl Sandberg (Facebook)
The Start-Up of You

TWO 
The Careers Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Future

Who – Published by DK Children

What – Provides valuable insights into various industries, profiles successful professionals, and offers advice on choosing the right path, preparing for interviews, and developing key skills for over 400 different careers.

Why – We recommend this book if you’re not sure on the career you want in the future, as it will introduce you to and familiarise you with a wide range of options.

Top takeaway – “Explore different career paths, gain valuable skills, and remember that your future is filled with endless possibilities.”

The Careers Handbook

THREE  
The Skills: From First Job to Dream Job — What Every Woman Needs to Know

Who – By award-winning BBC journalist and broadcaster Mishal Husain
Published by Fourth Estate

What – Offers advice and inspiration for young women entering the workforce, covering topics such as confidence building, effective communication, networking, and navigating workplace challenges.

Why – Read this book to unlock practical skills, helping you build confidence, communicate effectively, and connect with others to thrive in the workplace.

Top takeaway – “Build your confidence, communicate effectively, and connect with others to unlock your full potential and thrive in the workplace.”
The Skills: From First Job to Dream Job

FOUR 
Life in Half a Second: How to Achieve Success Before It’s Too Late

Who – by Matthew Michalewicz, author and entrepreneur
Hybrid Publishers

What – will encourage you to set ambitious goals, take decisive action, and make the most of every moment to create a successful and fulfilling life.

Why – This book gives you a fact-based formula for the five doors you need to walk through to achieve success in your career, business and personal life.

Top takeaway –  ”Set bold goals, take decisive action, and make the most of every moment to create a successful and fulfilling life.”

“Filled with fact-based formulas to help you flourish in your personal and professional lives” – What Will You Learn
Life in Half a Second

FIVE 
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

Who – Angela Duckworth, award winning author and psychologist
Published by Scribner Book Company

What – “Grit” explores the power of passion and perseverance in achieving long-term success. Drawing from research and real-life examples, challenging the notion of talent and emphasising the importance of effort and resilience.

Why – With an evidence-based approach and engaging storytelling, this book presents a compelling case for the role of grit in achieving extraordinary accomplishments.

Top Takeaway – Talent alone is insufficient for success; sustained effort and determination are crucial. By cultivating grit and focusing on long-term goals, individuals can overcome adversity and achieve greatness.

“Lucid, informative and entertaining” – Scott Kaufman, Scientific American
Grit

We hope you enjoy our recommendations, and if you pick any of them up, let us know what you think! Head to the comments of our linked video to share your thoughts, have we missed anything?

Don’t have time to read? As a bonus for reading to the end, here’s our podcast recommendation so you can get your careers advice on the go: Career Talks with Jake Nathan. In this podcast series, Nathan speaks to a range of professionals, ranging from a former FBI special agent to a social worker to a Google recruiter. You’re sure to find an inspirational journey to inspire you during your listen!

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