Careers Books

Top of the line performance isn't something restricted solely to Olympic athletes. "Turn It Up!: How to Perform At Your Highest Level For a Lifetime" is a guide to being the best one can be. Although written by a former Olympian and athlete, the principles outlined in the book are not strictly for athletes; the advice and motivation can be applied to many avenues of life. For business, creativity, any avenue, "Turn it Up!" is an inspirational must for any reader.

I like Mr. Spencer's book, but wish it was organized a bit differently. The information is unique in places, and not so unique in others, but is not organized in such a way as to allow the reader to really stop and use it. In places there are instructions on steps to take, but not throughout. If you haven't read sports-performance books in the past, or self-help books, this one may help you. Otherwise - Physician, Know Thyself!

Finally Dr. Spencer details his secrets for all to learn from! I've followed Dr. Spencer's career for the last ten years. He is the master coach. I have seen the athletes he works with become champions. This book details what he does that moves the ordinary to extraordinary. I learned that this is a process, not an accident. Dr Spencer took great care to make it practicle and appliable and I could immediately get his concept and then apply it to my life. I know that anyone with dreams and a good work ethic can apply these steps and improve their life. I did!
I recommend this highly.
D.M.

A big theme in business writing today is the importance of EQ (Emotional/Social Intelligence), the ability to perceive, assess, and manage the emotions of oneself and others. The research is clear and consistent: Good leaders and highly effective people have high EQ. Whereas, most authors deal with the importance of EQ in theory, Langford gives us an owner's manual for EQ applied and she doesn't even mention the word in the book!
This is a much needed and practical "how-to" book on working and communicating with others in the 21st Century work environment. In short, Etiquette Edge is about building and deploying the character and personal brand equity needed to succeed in today's work place.
Pithy and to the point short chapters make this book a great office "devotional" - a helpful, time-efficient way to jump start a day in the office with a relevant idea to make this day more effective. I gave each of my early-career children a copy to read with a strong suggestion that if they wanted to see a penny of their inheritance, they'd better read it!

This book defies the typical stereotype of "manners' books, by its spot on feel for workplace reality, its very practical, "why to/how to" approach, and its easy, conversational style (not to mention its easy to read size!) As an executive coach, it is the one book I pass along most frequently to clients with consistent, positive feedback.

People I meet in business are often perplexed about the best way to handle many day to day interactions with their boss, their peers, their customers and even their "enemies." Dr. Beverly Langford has written a powerful book about how to act in those frequent situations where the right action is often not obvious. The book is so well organized in thirty topical chapters, I was able to skip around and read the ones that were particularly relevant to me at the time. I gave this book to my children who are just starting their careers, but I also find myself recommending it to executives who've been in the workplace for a long time--it's that helpful. It's extremely well written and is one of the most practical workplace books I've ever read. I really liked this book!

What an outstanding guide for situations that both new and seasoned business professionals invariably encounter!

Written in an easy-to-read, no-nonsense style, this book is relevant to all professionals. Whether you need to know how to engage a peer who is now your manager, or how to deal with a sometimes unprofessional and often irritating teammate, the book is full of practical guidance and invaluable insight.

This book covers etiquette basics for the workplace in less than 200 pages. I've read a number of etiquette books, so I have to admit I didn't find that many new concepts in the pages. I did enjoy reading it as a quick "brush-up" on things I tend to forget, though (like not trying to finish other people's sentences!!!). The book covers most of the topics you need to know for business etiquette. A few include:

Non-verbal communication
Cursing and Language
Listening Skills
Cell phones
Email
Travel
Office Space
Gender Divide
Lunch and Socializing
Interviewing & Leaving a Job Gracefully
Confronting with Courtesy

A few topics that I found especially interesting included what to do when you friend becomes your boss and how to deliver unwelcome information. Each chapter in the book is fairly short, which means it can be read quickly to grasp main concepts, but there is not a whole lot of detail. For some readers, this may fulfill their needs just fine. The author lists a bibliography at the end for those who want to research specific topics further. This book is geared towards professional office employees (like those at major corporations), although others may find the information useful. For a book more geared towards salespeople and small business owners, Business Class: Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work may be a more appropriate choice.

Overall this book is a great place to start for learning a bit of etiquette or reminding yourself of what you should be doing. For readers seeking a detailed business etiquette book, The Etiquette Advantage in Business:Personal Skills for Professional Success (a whopping 550+ pages) provides more in-depth information.

It is amazing to say this but I feel like I am actually taking another course of study that should be part of my college curriculum. Mr. Maybury's books have allowed me to examine an area of study that I have been intimidated by for years. Economics never held any fasination for me in the past but when I am done with his series of books I may actually look into seeking further education in that subject. His books have given me the confidence to tackle that foe.

One cannot wait to finish whichever book they are currently reading to move on to the next in the series in order to avoid loosing any of the recall from the previous ones. This is book three and I am already eying number 4, "Whatever Happened to Justice," on my bookshelf.

Mr. Maybury has opened up the world of history, economics, money management, political backroom tactics, moral issues and government, bringing them all together in an easily understandable way to help us increase our understanding and improve ourselves.

Great Book.

the money mystery is a quality book made by blue stocking press. this book helps to reveal the hidden indicators affecting youre investments. it also shows you the problems of the financial panic of 1980 and how you can learn from them.

Economics is a young and exact science and this book shows you how to understand it clearly and exactly. As you read through this book several investment tips will be provided for you. such tips as how to make a profit in a period of inflation,recession, deflation and a depression. but one cold hard fact reamains, You must plan ahead and watch for the indicators! the money mystery explains cleary what to look for and how to profit from them. I recommend this book highly :^)

Excellent primer in economics, that is for the layman like myself. In lucid, clear terms, Maybury describes the meanings of the demand for money, velocity and inflation and how it affects us from all over the world.

In this, low velocity exists in the low volume of currency being transferred due to persons holding on to their money, while high velocity exists in higher volumes of money transfer. And while the government inflates the money supply to pay for their expenses, inflation occurs which can lead to the second stage of devalue and inflation and third stage of runaway inflation. And so the government then raises interest rates and stops printing in attempt to slow down the inflation, which usually brings on a recession. It is here where many businesses are adversely affected from expansion from the inflation, only to be severely affected during the recession.

In this, Maybury brings out the history lesson from the French, prior the revolution, from over inflating the money supply and the subsequent results of runaway inflation; the end result was a new government with a dictator, Napoleon. And the history of President Carter's freeze on Iranian assets in response to the hostages held for the U.S. protection of the overthrown Shah. And so such a freeze caused panic in the other Arab countries, who could not liquidate their assets so quickly as they were bound in real estate and other non-liquid holdings. And then Carter's embargo on Russia from her invasion in Afghanistan also created a panic in the economy, the dollar way down, gold way up. Lessons to learn.

Helpful advise is given on how to invest - short term, on what to watch for, the curve in interest. A great theory is given on what has been happening over the recent years. The ideas are that the U.S. has been issuing bonds with greater interest which people buy and subsequently hold on to. This way the government can print to their hearts desire and not increase the velocity and inflation and the deficit can go up to unlimited degrees. But this however will bottom out one day when people become aware. And when that does, look out, there will be runaway third stage inflation - a disaster. So there are things to do and watch for and Maybury is truly beneficial and helpful, significant advice, knowledge and insight to be more alert in what to watch for.

What also is highly recommended are Maybury's other books in economics, "What ever Happened to Penny Candy?" and "The Clipper Ship Strategy."

One of the most useful books, with this you can search a candidate without joining a job board.

Published in 2003 it is still the best on ecruiting. Hope to see an update soon!

"Recruiting on the Web" is a book that should be in all small and medium size businesses Human Resources or Recruiting departments. The book should be chained to the HRIS department network manager's desk. Also recruiter and HR staff will find the techniques and the mythology outlined within the book very value. Especially if their company is conducting talent acquisition the way it was done in the 20th Century. New technology in recruiting requires new methods of talent sourcing. The active and passives candidate can be found easy today if all of the old methods are improved with today's fast paced technology and updated searching techniques. Please follow as much of the Web recruiting techniques as possible.
Jay Stenda, recruiter consultant

This is a great, well organized book. It takes you through e-recruitment top to bottom, from setting up an online employee network, to building your Website, working with job boards, and then to Flipping and X-raying sites to find passiove candidates.

I've been a recruiter and manager since 1994 and have been through every Web-recruiting class and book ever offered. AIRS was the first (I went through AIRS I and II in 1998) and is still by far the best training in this field. I read this book when it was published last year and have just purchased a dozen more for new recruiters we plan to hire soon. It is the most systematic, comprehensive "how to" guide for e-recruiting I've found.

I have assigned this book to my graduate students in a Staffing class. I would not have assigned it if I did not think it was a good book.

However, I find myself telling them a few cautionary things:

1. Two weeks after the book came out, it was out of date. This field is moving very, very quickly and keeping up is a real chore...

2. The author is breathless and shameless in self-promotion. His writing style will remind you of why the dot-com bubble burst.

3. Many assertions are not backed up with organized study or proof.

4. It's still the best book I know of to cover this topic, unfortunately. If anybody out there knows of a better or more contemporary one, please post a review here...

This book is by far my favorite book on the subject. I would recommend it to anyone starting out in their teaching career. Don't be put off by the "dummies" title.

This book is very easy to read and written in an informal style, but manages to provide great tips and information to make teaching a lot easier. I haven't started teaching yet, but this book has served to warn me about some problems and experiences I may encounter. It doesn't go over what they teach you in education courses, like lesson planning and educational psychology, but it does tell you things like what to do if you have to go to the bathroom in the middle of your class and gives management, organizational, and networking tips to help you avoid having to reinvent the wheel in some areas. Overall, a good read that I found hard to put down, because it was entertaining, helpful, and oh-so-true.

I really liked this book. I was an easy read, very helpful, and humorous! I was hesitant at first because it's written by a high school teacher, and I am elementary. However, his advice, tips, and warnings apply to ALL grade levels. This book skips the educational theories, and dives right into the important things that rookies really want to know: setting up your classroom for the 1st day; getting to know parents; how to deal with your administrators; and keeping your kids under control, among many other topics. The author includes many anecdotes from his teaching career. This book is excellent; I definitely recommend!

This book is one of the best I have read on being a teacher. I am a new teacher, but have been in the classroom for 10 years. The author has a very good insight on what it is all about, from dealing with the kids, the never ending responsibilities of being in charge of a classroom and dealing with the adults involved. W. Michael Kelley has a fantastic sense of humor and gives so many inspiring examples of how to make teaching fun, not only for the teacher but for the students as well. I highly recommend this book to rookie teachers as well as veteran teachers who feel they need to revamp their teaching styles and methods.

I am in the stages of deciding whether teaching would be a good career change for myself. Michael Kelley's book has really helped me get a clear picture of what to expect in the world of teaching. It is very easy to read and fun too -- he has a wonderful sense of humor and has some great antidotes. I highly recommend this book. This one will be going in my "to keep" pile as I have highlighted quite a few passages worth remembering.

Another great one! This is a MUST READ for everyone that finds themselves being "owned" by a cat! Easy reading, great stories and photos, and great advice and information, too! I think everyone can relate to at least one or two of the stories, weather in remembering a lost loved one, or enjoying the companionship of a new friend! This book will definately be a gift for many friends!

A great resource for those of us who love cats! From start to finish, tips and tid-bits that I know MY cats will appreciate - - they expect the best from me.

Like its companion canine volume, "The Ultimate Cat Lover" is loaded with that one quality that makes or breaks a pet book: heart. Another reviewer described it as "endearing," and I had to laugh and nod at the same time.

Yes, the advice is terrific, as anyone would expect from a team of experts assembled by Gina Spadafori and Dr. Becker. But don't expect this to be a dry or even fluffy collection of helpful hints for cat moms and dads. It's a beautiful collection of stories that will move you, make you smile, and bring tears to your eyes, all while teaching you something important about your feline family members.

A wonderful gift for other cat lovers, and don't forget to buy one for yourself.

This is a great addition to the cat lover's bookshelf. A helpful collection of cat care tips with warm and fuzzy stories about our favorite lap-sitter. Current information and tales recommended by this librarian for all public libraries too.

Loved it!!!! I never thought I was a cat person, always having had dogs, but, after reading the "Ultimate Cat Lover," I might have to reconsider. Great pictures with captions as well as phenomenal stories, each baring the connection between the souls of the cats and their owners. Also appreciated reading the cat facts/information by known authorities.Very heart warming read for any age. This is my second book of the series and I can't wait for the next.

Textbook, is in excellent condition.
At the end of each chapter there is a summary of the learning objectives and a chapter review. These attributes make it easier to study for a test or a quiz. Chapters have questions to ask yourself and apply what you have learned in the chapter.

I used this text in my honors sociology course last semester at Princeton. It was absolutely riveting. I found it to be, not only interesting, but very informative. The more I delved into this book, the more I learned about the behavior of my peers. More importantly, I learned about myself. I would definitely recommend this book for college curriculum, or even for personal reading. A must read.

I took this class as part of my undergrad work for a business administration degree and was greatly disappointed. It is written for a high school level course not a college level course. Two thumbs down.

I purchased this book for my high school aged daughter who in interested in a career in interior design. The book is ideal for someone like her. It provides a good overview of the design process, design specialties (residential, commercial, hospitality, etc), educational preparation required, where jobs are, and general business aspects of the field. A defining feature of this book is that author includes several interviews with people in the field asking practical questions such as "How did you become an interior designer?", "What is the greatest challenge of your work?", "What is the single most important skill an Interior Designer needs to be successful?", "How important is Interior Design education/Certification in today's industry?", "What do you look for in Hiring a new designer?", etc. This aspect allows the reader to hear from several real people rather than just getting a dry Occupational Outlook view. The interview responses are practical, sobering (you realize how much work it is!) and inspiring. Just right for helping someone make an informed choice.
My only knock against this book is that at $23 it is a bit pricey for a paperback with only black and white photos. It strikes me more as a $15 book. I might look for a used copy. That said, it has been very valuable and I would buy it again.

I recently read Becoming an Interior Designer by Christine Piotrowski, ASID, IIDA, for a critical analysis paper in my english class at OSU. After reading it, I would agree that interior design is more complex than the average person might assume. Throughout this selection, Piotrowski discusses the types of design, the changes in the profession over time, and the educational preparation to gain a better understanding of the career overall. This informative "how-to" book discusses commercial and residential areas of interior design and what is important to know in order to become successful in the rapidly growing field. In her attempt at writing an educational book, Piotrowski uses techniques, variety, and tips that ultimately reveal to readers whether this career is suitable for them. This book is best for anyone who is interested in the field and is looking for a quick light read. I found the book to be repetitive, not necessarily intellectually challenging, but a fun read that can either discourage or encourage one to follow their dream to become an interior designer. So if one has the desire to learn more about this book check out this guide to careers in design.

This book is an excellent source of information for those interested in becoming designers and those already studying interior design. This book explains commerical design well and gives truthful information on what potential employers will expect from a design education. If you are serious about becoming an interior designer, read this book - so you will be completely informed on this fun and dynamic profession. It is not decorating!

I bought this book because I am interested in going back to school for a 2nd degree in Interior Design. This book gives a great breakdown of the industry. It breaks down the different specialities and highlights the major points in each specialization. It also discusses education and certification. I love the Questions to Interior Designers section, because they interview practicing interior designers. I have made my final decision to go back to school and this book has helped alot in my decision making process.

Piotrowski writes about the steps on how to become an interior designer. There are several chapters describing the design process and the different types of design. There are detailed accounts of what is put into residential and commercial spaces. She takes a look at the future of the profession. There are several testimonials and showcases for active designers giving their opinions and advice on the profession. This book offers an in depth account on the profession and what is to come in the interior design field. As an aspiring interior designer, this book talked too much about current designer's experiences and not strictly about the profession. The book overall was helpful and knowledgable and I suggest those interested in the field get this book and take it to heart. This book is a fairly easy to read book; it rates only at the twelfth grade level on average. It is appropriate for those in high school and older. It helps inspire those that are looking at the profession and those already in it.

Being a personal assistant for over 13 years to a financial advisor I found this book to be geared for someone just starting out in the administrative field. How to write a memo? Please. And Chapter 11 on getting personal with your boss? Made me want to throw up. Don't get me wrong, from time to time you are expected to take care of certain "personal" things for your boss, such as scheduling an oil change or dentist appointment. But the part about having a "crush" that just made my stomach turn.

I do think Heather had some very valid, great ideas for someone just starting out as a personal assistant. But for the most part I found it to be really basic information that anyone who has ever worked in an office should know. I did enjoy her references back to the times she worked for George Stephanopoulos.

All in all it wasn't a waste of my time reading the book but it didn't really inspire me either.

This book is excellent, it is filled with tips to make you an excellent assistant. I am very interested in becoming an assistant. I feel I am more prepared for any job. There isnt a page in this ENTIRE book that doesn't have highlighter marks on it. This book is an excellent resource, full with useful stories of working for high level execs. It is very easy to read, I've bought another book on being an assistant and found it to read like a textbook and as large as one too.

I have been an Executive Assistant for 13 years and I found so much great advice in this book. I think this is a must have for anyone who has made a career out of being an assistant. I keep this book at work and refer to it all the time now. Money well spent!

I'm not a organizational assistant, but I have to say this book has great techniques for everyone. Though, to be frank, this book got me more interested in the author's tellings of her interactions with a highly influential power broker (George Stephanopholous) than how to effectively organize time and resources.

This is a great book for both those starting out in the assistant field as well as those looking to become more proficient in their current positions.

It covers all the topics with good, solid advice. Some of the topics covered are phone work, dealing with paper, types of communication, how to conduct yourself and many more. It even goes over when it's time to 'move on' and how to tell your boss you are leaving.

A very thorough book that I would recommend for anyone interested in this type of work.