Richard Bolles - What Color Is Your Parachute?

“The new edition of the best-selling job-hunting book What Color is Your Parachute? , in addition to the tried-and-true advice for job seekers Dick Bolles has provided for close to 40 years, has new information on job-search productivity, job clubs, and how to organize and manage your job search. What Color is Your Parachute? is deservedly the world’s most popular job hunting book with over 10 million copies sold in 26 languages.

This 2011 edition is as relevant today as when it was first published. Dick Bolles insightfully stays on the cutting edge of job-searching and the book is full of new and updated suggestions, along with the classic advice that continues to hold true today.”

“I graduated college in 2008, wallowed hopelessly in career frustration and later received the best career advice of my life … which was to read your book What Color Is Your Parachute? Today, I am happily employed in [a] job that is the envy of my peers. I’m living proof of the power of your book and I recommend it to everyone I meet. It will eternally be the gift I give to recent graduates. Thank you for writing your book! I cannot begin to describe how much I have enjoyed it.”

“Anyone looking for career direction advice or solid information about how to find the job that’s right for them should begin their search with Richard Bolles’s classic book, What Color Is Your Parachute? It’s been named one of the most influential books of all time for a reason—it has probably changed the course of more people’s lives than almost any book except the Bible. Richard updates the book every year so it is always relevant.”

“Dick Bolles is effectively the ‘inventor’ of career management as we know it today.”

“If you go into the bookstore and find the section on jobs, careers or networking—the reason that section even exists is because of Dick Bolles. His book, What Color Is Your Parachute? , has helped many people find their true passion at work. Plus he is a great man.”

“Dick Bolles is the last person on earth who needs my recommendation. Everyone knows his value to the world of career development. My recommendation/gratitude is for his friendship. He’s a wonderful human being, joyful, resilient, and generous.”

“Dick Bolles is clever, and witty and has some superb ideas….”

“I want to recommend Dick for the hard work he has put in both as an author and as a coach. The amount of influence Mr. Bolles has had on the people in career transition, such as myself when the Dot-Com bubble burst, is immeasurable…. His sage wisdom has forever changed my life and I insist that all future employees read the parachute book.”

“I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am to you and your book, What Color Is Your Parachute? . I graduated from a 4-year university in May, and I had no clue what I wanted to do, or how to look for a job. Like any kid, I thought I knew the best way to do things and that I didn’t need anyone’s advice, but after a few months of unemployment I realized that this wasn’t true. My dad had given me a copy of your book, but after a few months of nothing, not even an interview, I really read it, did the exercises, and trusted in what you were saying. I didn’t believe that I would find MY job, the perfect job for me. But I did, at a nonprofit that does cleft lip and palate surgery missions to China and Africa. This job has literally every single attribute that I listed, and I wouldn’t have known what attributes I needed in a job unless I had done your exercises. I’m sure you get probably hundreds of emails a week saying the same thing, so I’ll keep it short—I just wanted to say that I owe my happiness in my job to you and my dad. I recommend your book to EVERYONE, including strangers.”

“How can any of us in the career and employment industry not only recommend Dick, but … thank him (and the Good Lord) for single-handedly creating the industry we love and cherish? I know, for sure, I would not be where I am today if Dick and his parachute hadn’t led the way. No, What Color is Your Parachute? is not the Bible. But it may be a distant second. :-) I know I speak for every single person who works in the career/employment industry when I say …‘THANK YOU, DICK’ for all you’ve done. You are one of those very few people who truly are ‘a legend in your own time.’”

This is an annual. That is to say, it is revised each year, often substantially, with the new edition appearing in the early fall. Counselors and others wishing to submit additions, corrections, or suggestions for the 2013 edition must submit them prior to February 1, 2012, using the form provided in the back of this book, or by e-mail ( dickbolles40@gmail.com). Forms reaching us after that date will, unfortunately, have to wait for the 2014 edition.

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional career services. If expert assistance is required, the service of the appropriate professional should be sought.

Copyright © 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1972, 1970 by Richard Nelson Bolles.

All rights reserved.

Published in the United States by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.

www.crownpublishing.com

www.tenspeed.com

Jacket people illustrations (upper left to lower right) copyright © Shutterstock.com/sculpies; iStockphoto.com/enjoynz; iStockphoto.com/4x6; iStockphoto.com/Illustrious.

Photo of Phil Wood by R. Philip Hanes, courtesy of Mrs. Charlotte Hanes.

Ten Speed Press and the Ten Speed Press colophon are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc.

The drawings on this page , this page, this page, and this pageare by Steven M. Johnson, author of What the World Needs Now .

Illustration on this pageby Beverly Anderson.

eISBN: 978-1-60774-076-6

ISSN: 8755-4658

Cover design by Patty Benson of Goodsite Web Solutions, Santa Cruz, CA

Interior design by Betsy Stromberg and Colleen Cain

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