Your Personal Career Construction Manual

About the Book

It is estimated that fewer than 15% of all Americans complete any sort of career planning effort. Most fall into a job by answering some sort of job solicitation, grow in the job, gather a measure of job security, and refuse to begin a job search even though they loathe their job. Several recent surveys report that more than 80% of Americans are unhappy with their jobs and would quit if they could. Work-related problems are more strongly associated with health complaints than any other stressor. Could it be any different when so few people plan and construct a career?

This book helps readers identify who they are and the type of careers that will best fit them. It matches likes, strengths, skills and talents with occupations that will use and grow these strengths into rewarding careers. They will learn how to successfully develop a mentoring relationship with a knowledgeable, experienced person who can help them discover a rewarding career, set and meet career goals, and conduct an active career search that pays dividends.

Readers will learn how and why employers hire people, and how to truthfully package themselves into a desirable career. The program will help them determine if they should be an entrepreneur who can and should be self-employed and show them how to get started if they are. Of most importance, this book encourages the reader to get started now. The realization that one needs to begin career construction is not enough. Refusing to act leaves them paralyzed in place while prepared people grab those great jobs. Readers will learn to act in a purposeful manner, and their lives will never be the same. Anything less than a career that fits your dreams is merely existing. That should not be good enough for anyone.

About the Author

Richard S. Johnson is a leader, author, trainer, and management consultant with forty years of progressive leadership experience. He is the author of many books, training programs, and magazine articles that have to do with both sides of the hiring equation - how to hire correctly and how to get hired.

Dick served as the Vice President and General Manager of a manufacturing and systems integration company that designed, built, and installed systems used nationally for environmental remediation. He was General Manager of an engineering and logistics company. He also managed large repair facilities, operational and staff organizations, and training groups. In each of these positions he held the responsibility for hiring, mentoring, growing, and retaining a quality workforce.