22 Encouraging Books For Job Seekers

Strengths Finder 2.0, by Tom Rath
This book provides access to the classic StrengthsFinder test, which is based on the so-obvious-it’s-underrated notion that not everyone needs to be good at everything, and we should all spend more time doing what we’re naturally good at. Forget trying to explain away weaknesses and shortcomings (we all have them), and instead spend more time developing your natural talents so they can shine in interviews.

The Art of Money, by Bari Tessler
When you’re contemplating a career change, feeling confident about your finances can bring peace of mind, whether you’re between paychecks, trying to decide how much to charge for your services, or expanding your personal definition of success beyond the salary you make. Bari Tessler’s The Art of Money takes a gentle, wise approach to money and all the ways it affects our lives.

How the World Sees You, by Sally Hogshead
“Just be yourself,” the moms of the world say. Sure it’s easy to be yourself when you’re home alone, eating crackers in your PJs, but what about when you need to impress a new boss? Being yourself becomes much easier—and more fun!—when you know how you’re coming across and can articulate what you bring to a team. Explore How the World Sees You to understand what makes you fascinating and how you can add value to any situation.

Rising Strong, by Brené Brown
After talking with Fortune 500 owners, military leaders, teachers, and more, Brené Brown offers deep insights into how you can overcome whatever lies in your past. Whether you’ve been laid off, fired, or spent twenty years in the wrong career, she argues the story isn’t over until you write the ending. This book will empower you to rise strong!

Essentialism, by Greg McKeown
When you’re searching for a new job, it can prompt seeking of all kinds, and you may find yourself also searching for answers, wisdom, and peace of mind. Essentialism is the disciplined pursuit of less, and while it’s not a perfect philosophy (what is?), it has brought clarity and calm to the lives of many. At the very least, whenever you feel like there are a million more tasks on your find-a-freaking-job list, this book will remind you to focus on what’s important.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, by Mark Manson
If losing your job or not being able to eloquently answer the dreaded cocktail party question, “So what do you do?” is basically your worst nightmare, you may want to consider giving slightly fewer Fs about looking happy, productive, and rocking it according to society’s definition of success. “Not everybody can be extraordinary, there are winners and losers in society, and some of it is not fair or your fault.” This tough-love book is designed to help readers accept their limitations, embrace fear, and confront painful truths, so they can find a little comfort in the midst of uncertainty.

Start Where You Are, by Meera Lee Patel
On the other end of the tough-love spectrum, this gentle guided journal helps readers mindfully cultivate creativity and motivation to keep going during the tough times. It’s like a friend taking your hand and saying “It’s all going to be ok. Let’s just do some journaling, choose a mantra, and surround ourselves with gorgeous art.” Soothing, no?

What Color Is Your Parachute, by Richard N. Bolles
Focusing on the emotional, psychological, and practical aspects of finding a job, this book has been popular since 1972 for good reason. With advice from headhunters, sample resumes and cover letters, networking strategies, and more, this classic job-hunting guide is packed with up-to-date tips and tricks that will surely make your search easier.

Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook, by Gary Vaynerchuck
Maybe your search strategy is less “apply for everything” and more “make them come to me.” In this book, social-media expert Gary Vaynerchuck details marketing strategies that attract VIPs, whether those are clients, buyers, or future bosses, so you can go beyond polishing your LinkedIn profile to being known for the expert content you consistently share on Twitter, Instagram, Medium, and more. If following Vaynerchuck’s advice doesn’t bring you more job leads, at the very least, HR will be glad you applied when they Google your name.

Good to Great, by Jim Collins
When you get an interview, be sure you can speak the boss’s language. This classic business title underlies many management decisions, whether they are conscious or not. Go beyond looking competent to having a deep understanding of how to make an organization succeed. Show companies you have a strategy and vision that can help them transform from good to great, and you just might outsmart that yes man who’s interviewing after you.

The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down, by Haemin Sunim
If you’re home with free time on your hands during the job search, you may find yourself trying to stay busy, making artisan sandwiches, taking loooong walks, and working on your Finnish skills. Or you might escape the myth that busyness is the mark of goodness, and embrace life in the slow lane. Consider using this downtime to rest deeply, cultivate relationships, and develop your inner wisdom, rather than checking off items on your oh-so-productive bucket list. This book will provide plenty of inspiration to get you started.

Creativity, Inc., by Ed Catmull
When you score an interview, be ready for those Google-esque riddles by studying the inspiring philosophy that Pixar managers use to develop commercial and creative masterpieces. The process is designed to protect and enhance original ideas, which are so often vulnerable in the work place. Written by the co-founder of Pixar, this book about creativity in business is perfect whether you’re eyeing a position in management or are a newbie in the creative department.

1001 Smartest Things Ever Said, by Steven D. Price
Sound smart and pithy as all get out on those walks from the elevator to the interviewer’s office with this collection of quotes. And if you’re stumped with a ridiculous question, pull out a clever phrase or some wise words that may or may not be relevant. Winston Churchill’s “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm,” is sort of like the “my weakness is being a perfectionist” of quotes.

So Good They Can’t Ignore You, by Cal Newport
If the motto “it’s not what you do, but how you do it,” resonates with you, this book will bring confidence to your quest for meaningful work. Because as Cal Newport argues, loving what you do isn’t so much about finding a job you’re passionate about, as pouring your heart and soul into whatever job you have, until you know your craft inside and out and find yourself loving it. And once you do that, you will be so good at your job that they can’t ignore you.

Designing Your Life, by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
Use a design mindset to ask questions and problem solve your way to a job that’s meaningful and fulfilling. Experiment, sketch, prototype, test, and revise until you get closer and closer to a job that checks all the boxes on your list. With exercises, prompts, and helpful advice, this book will help you design a job you love. And it’s the perfect fit for anyone who considers themselves a visual thinker or dreads the idea of making a formal pro-con list.

The Pathfinder, by Nicholas Lore
This book includes more than 100 tests and tools to help you find the new career that’s right for you, but don’t be surprised if it also gives you new perspective on your industry and the job you already have. And if you get stuck along the way, there’s a whole chapter to help you take advantage of your natural talents and move forward in the game of life.

The Joy of Less, by Francine Jay
Get a job so you can buy things like clothes you wear to your job. Buy a car so you can drive to your job where you earn money to pay for your car loan. Get a promotion so you can afford an apartment closer to the city where you work more and more hours so you can get another promotion…It can be a miserable cycle. Or you can opt out and give yourself a little more freedom by embracing a minimalist mindset. This book shows you how to enjoy the process.

The 2-Hour Job Search, by Steve Dalton
The marvelous wonders of the world wide web let us do everything from order dinner to catch up with family in smarter, faster ways, so why not take advantage in the job search. Steve Dalton explains how to optimize your search with simple tools like Excel, Google, and alumni databases. Step-by-step instructions take the guessing out of the application process so you can rest easy knowing you will be able to secure a first interview quickly.

Presence, by Amy Cuddy
When you move beyond the phone interview to an in-person meeting, it’s important to present your best self. Amy Cuddy shows how to do everything from acing an interview to having a tough heart-to-heart conversation with confidence and authenticity. This book teaches simple power poses you can use in your daily life to tap into your personal power, or presence, so you can be your best self when it counts.

Slide:ology, Nancy Duarte
If you’re asked to make a presentation during the interview process, you know you’re on the short list. Slide:ology details what you need to know to create a visual presentation that will knock their socks off. Stand out from the pack with infographics that inform and engage your audience. Pace your presentations like a world-class storyteller. Find the balance between too much information and not enough. With these tips, your slides are sure to make your ideas shine!

Whatever You Are, Be a Good One, by Lisa Congdon
Tuck this pick-me-up in your pocket for days when the job search lasts longer than you hoped or leads to more questions than answers. When you’re feeling down, this book offers a little hope. With hand-lettered quotes like “Be curious, not judgmental,” you’ll be reminded of the important things in life (which don’t include resumes), and remember why you’re looking for a new path.

The First 90 Days, by Michael D. Watkins
When you do find yourself with a new job (and you will!), this book is designed to help you make the most of your new opportunity and get up to speed as quickly as you can. Checklists, tools, and self-assessments all work together to make your next transition as smooth and successful as possible. Now go show them who’s boss!
What books have you found helpful during job searches?