Just like the classic books everyone should have read in school (or re-read as an adult) — i.e., To Kill a Mockingbird, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Giver, The Catcher in the Rye — there are also some books that every professional should take the time to read. These are staples for a well-rounded library to help you at every level of your career, but most importantly, as you’re going through career changes and actively seeking new employment.
Having a good grasp on the principles of these 10 books will carry you through just about any job interview and allow you to intelligently network with the movers and shakers. And, perhaps more importantly, the lessons you learn in these books will prepare you to excel in your career.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 books every job seeker should be versed in. (Tweet this list.)
One of my all-time favorites, The Tipping Point brings to light an abundance of intelligent conversation starters when navigating the world of networking. Gladwell has certainly secured his place with a relatively modern (2002) must-read and must-know book for all. His discussion of how epidemics emerge via the phenomenon of the tipping point takes seemingly mundane topics to a captivating level you can’t stop thinking about.
Here’s a book that did all the research on greatness for you and then packaged up a tidy summary of “Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t.” Good to Great will have you analyzing every place you’ve ever worked and saying “yup,” “huh!” and “hmmmm…” throughout. In addition to prompting meaty interview conversations for you, it will also have you on the lookout for perhaps being a little choosier in which company you ultimately decide to commit to.
Just like Good to Great will have you looking back at previous employers, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team will have you identifying some key coworkers you’ve had through the years. Any employer familiar with this fable will be anxious to hear which character you associate yourself with and if you’re ready to be part of a dynamic team.
Initially assigned to me through a college business course, I admittedly didn’t pay much attention to Who Moved My Cheese? at first. However, it quickly became the subject of discussion at countless professional and social gatherings, which triggered me to re-read it. No other book can prepare your for dealing with change quite like this one and remembering that it’s your attitude and adjustability that will make all the difference — how fitting for job seekers about to enter into what can be a very difficult change.
I was fortunate enough to be part of an intimate mastermind group with an amazing John Maxwell trainer, Deb Eslinger. Working through the 21 Laws of Leadership provides a great opportunity for self-reflection and growth and is sure to help any job seeker examine what it will take to get to the next level — or, as Maxwell would say, how to raise your lid.
If The Tipping Point is the modern must-read, Think and Grow Rich is certainly the classic must-read. It was first published in 1937 (when the original print run sold out), and it continues to be a bestseller to this day. If you haven’t read it yet, put it at the top of your to-read list.
At the top of nearly every must-read list for business professionals everywhere and another long-time classic (first published in 1989), The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is another book that needs little explanation. If you need a nudge to pick it up, just know the lessons you learn from this book will go far and beyond your professional success.
Another one from 1937, there’s a reason — a good one — that How to Win Friends and Influence People has withstood the test of time. Simply put, these lessons from Carnegie are timeless and worth reviewing before you begin your interviewing circuit. Read it, period.
I may get a lot of slack for letting it slip that this isn’t one of my favorite books (although I strongly believe in the overall message of learning to “lean in”), but I do think it should still be one you read — for both men and women. With so much attention on Lean In and the issue it presents, it’s an important one to be familiar with. I would have to say it made my list more so because of its trending status, so I’ll throw in that whatever book is currently “hot” should be on your reading list.
10. What’s Fresh (and Classic) in Your Industry
I feel like it’s also worth noting that you need to be familiar with both the classics and new releases within your industry. While all the books above are universal, there are surely those more specific to your chosen career that you’ll want to include in your library. For instance, if you’re in the world of marketing, anything by Seth Godin should be on your must-read list, and if you work in the social or humanitarian sectors, Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond is probably a book you’ll want to know.
So as you continue along your career journey, I’ll leave you with these famous words from Dr. Suess: “The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
What other books would you add to your professional must-read list? Share your favorites with us in the comments!
Laurie Morse-Dell is a personal branding and social media coach focused on empowering individuals to succeed on their own terms. She has spent over a decade building a successful career in strategic marketing for small businesses, government agencies, nonprofits and international corporations. She then realized her true passion was in helping other women use strategic marketing to get what they desired out of their careers. Laurie uses her expertise in marketing and technology to teach job seekers how to build their online image, become indispensable and be in-demand.
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