Career GPS
by Ella L.J. Edmondson Bell, with Linda Villarosa, published by
Harper Collins, 2010
This
is an excellent, practical guide to all aspects of career management.
The target is women but it deserves to be read by anyone wanting
sound career management advice. The book has an inspiring and confidence
building message that would be a great help to anyone starting from
a base of low confidence who is seeking a successful career.
The title of the book could suggest that it deals with the question
of what job to pursue and how to get it, but it goes far beyond
that by offering practical guidance on all aspects of what it takes
to be successful at work.
The author doesn't try to build up the reader with false promises
of how easy it is for anyone to get to the top. Early on she makes
it clear that you should embrace who you are warts and all, what
she calls the good, bad and the ugly. So this is not an escape from
reality book but one that encourages people to strive for their
best despite whatever challenges they have had to face. The book
is thus very honest and realistic as well as practical.
Early chapters offer practical tips on how to choose a career path
and how to obtain the job you want. She then goes on to talk about
how to be successful in your first 90 days on the job, highlighting
the vital importance of developing key relationships. This includes
finding sponsors and how to network effectively within the organization.
A very practical chapter on succeeding at work covers job performance,
what you have to do and how to document your progress. She then
turns her attention to how to move on to bigger jobs including international
assignments. Later she deals with what it means to be an effective
leader in the 21st century.
The language and stories told in the book are very down-to-earth,
practical and inspiring.
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