7 Books To Read Before Navigating The World Of Full-Time Jobs

By Gretchen Kernbach on May 15, 2016

Has anyone ever told you to read a book before starting your first full-time job? It seems like an odd thing to tell someone, but there are books out there meant to guide young adults as they enter the real world.

This does not necessarily mean relating Twilight to self-motivation, but you get the point. Now that you are out of school, take the time to sit down and read a few books. Do not know what to read? I can help you out there.

1. The 4-Hour Workweek

Image via amazon.com

The No.1 New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and BusinessWeek bestseller provides readers with advice from how to outsource your life to how to get free housing worldwide. Author Timothy Ferriss teaches real life lessons regarding time management and prioritizing what you really want in life.

Here’s a review according to corporatestateuniversity.com.

“The takeaways in this book regarding email are an incredible gift to your time. Why do we focus so much on email in Corporate America when it does not impact the bottom line? Ferriss discusses how to remove yourself from your email inbox and let others know the most effective way to reach you is not email.”

Use Ferriss’s guidance as a means to work less and live more.

2. The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting up to Speed Faster and Smarter

The transition from undergrad to your first full-time job can be stressful and confusing. Luckily, transition is just what this book focuses on. Author Michael D. Watkins gives strategies to conquer a major life change such as one like this. He provides readers with possible scenarios they might face and offers relevant solutions.

Hbr.org had this to say about the book.

“You’ll learn how to secure critical early wins, an important first step in establishing yourself in your new role. Each chapter also includes checklists, practical tools, and self-assessments to help you assimilate key lessons and apply them to your own situation.”

3. The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

Image via amazon.com

The summary is in the title. Author Steven Pressfield’s guidance is designed to bring out your inner creativity despite the ongoing war in the real world of ideas and opinions. This piece of writing is meant to encourage a breakthrough in your normal, routine life, bringing out a new you with so much more to give.

4. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

One of the most difficult aspects of starting a full-time job is going from college-motivation to real life-motivation. There is no time for slacking off when you finally become a working adult, and Drive allows you to realize that in yourself.

Here’s a review from amazon.com.

“Drawing on four decades of scientific research on human motivation, Pink exposes the mismatch between what science knows and what business does — and how that affects every aspect of life. He examines the three elements of true motivation — autonomy, mastery, and purpose — and offers smart and surprising techniques for putting these into action in a unique book that will change how we think and transform how we live.”

5. How to Win Friends and Influence People

Image via amazon.com

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”

Dale Carnegie, like this quote pulled from his book, offers readers a different perspective on climbing up the corporate ladder. It is a well-known fact that networking gets people a lot of places. Therefore, he takes a spin on success and advises his readers on how to get people to like you.

After reading this, you will learn how to get your peers to think like you do and how to change others without causing bitterness.

6. Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow

Although it was published in 1987, the same concepts still apply to us today: do what you love. Often finding work after school can be scarce and it is likely you will be stuck with an average job that is not exactly your first choice. Author Marsha Sinetar provides you with a step-by-step guide on how to find the perfect career that fits your talents and passion.

According to goodreads.com, Sinetar helps you “discover how to tune in to your inner world and your unique talents; evaluate and build your self-esteem, banish your out-moded network of ‘shoulds’ and liberate yourself from an unfulfilling job.”

7. The Saint, The Surfer, and the CEO

Image via amazon.com

Wisdom, greatness, and love are highlighted in this book regarding the relationship between life and business. Unlike the previously stated books, this is a fictional story. The plot revolves around adman Jack Valentine and his trip to the hospital. It is in the hospital that Jack meets Cal, a cancer patient, who sends him on a journey to visit three teachers. His encounters involve a saint, a surfer and a CEO.

Author Robin Sharma relays a message about self-worth and accessing better versions of ourselves through Jack’s philosophical expedition.

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