To say that “Knowledge is Power” is the height of cliché. It’s also undisputedly true. The more you know, the better off you are. Few forms of knowledge are as beneficial as a firm understanding of how to develop yourself as a person and advance your career.
With that goal in mind, we’ve compiled our list of the best career and professional development books that we’ve read:
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
What Is It About?
- Written by the COO of Facebook, Lean In covers the obstacles, both internal and external, facing working women. Sandberg examines gender interactions in the workplace, the idea of “having it all”, and how to make the best career choices.
Who Is It For?
- Both women and men
Most Important Lesson?
- Increasing the number of women at the top of the business world will benefit everyone.
David & Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell
What Is It About?
- Gladwell examines the upside of our disadvantages and the downside of our advantages. He talks through dozens of historical examples of how underdogs bested powerhouses and the hidden advantages of being the little guy.
Who Is It For?
- Anyone considering taking a leap
Most Important Lesson?
- Don’t wait. You have all you need to get started today!
Never Eat Alone: and Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi
What Is It About?
- Never Eat Alone could be the How to Win Friends and Influence People of our generation. It’s full of short, impactful chapters on how to connect with others and build your business or career by forging and managing relationships. Networking isn’t about collecting contact information, but sharing your expertise and providing value for others.
Who Is It For?
- Everyone who wants to expand their network
Most Important Lesson?
- Be bold and go after what you really want.
The Start-Up of You by Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha
What Is It About?
- Co-written by the founder of LinkedIn, The Start-up of You instructs you on how to take control of your professional future. To maximize your career, you have to know what you’re good at, what you want to do, and what the job market values. Merge all three and you’ll set yourself up for the best career possible.
Who Is It For?
- Everyone!
Most Important Lesson?
- You’re the boss of your career.
Smartcuts by Shane Snow
What Is It About?
- In Smartcuts, Shane Snow dismantles the idea that climbing the corporate ladder is required to reach the top. He argues that waiting your turn and paying dues is not only the wrong way to get ahead but can actually hinder your progress. With case studies and real-life experiences, Snow makes the case for “lateral thinking”—solving problems through an indirect and creative approach, is highlighted as the way that most successful people have made it to the top.
Who Is It For?
- Professionals who feel stuck and are open to alternative routes to success.
Most Important Lesson?
- Shifting gears and continuing to add to your skillset is very often the best way to get ahead.
Knock ‘Em Dead: The Ultimate Job Seeker’s Handbook by Martin Yate
What Is It About?
- Martin Yate is considered the job search guru. This book and its companions are the handbooks that every job seeker needs. They provide a step-by-step, in-depth understanding of what hiring managers want, how to sell yourself, and how to win the job you want.
Who Is It For?
- Each and every job seeker. If you have a resume, you should own this book.
Most Important Lesson?
- It’s not what you know, but who knows you that will land you your next job.
More Best Answers to The 201 Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions by Matthew J. and Nanette F. DeLuca
What Is It About?
- While Knock ‘Em Dead covers the A-Z of the job search, More Best Answers guides you across the goal line. It’s a tactical and practical handbook for interview prep, interview strategy, interview follow-up, and compensation negotiation. It gives readers the tools to land the interview, feel more comfortable and in control during interviews, and answer tough interview questions that cause other job seekers to stumble.
Who Is It For?
- Anyone with an interview coming up
Most Important Lesson?
- Interviewing is a skill. It can be taught and learned. The recipe for becoming a great interviewee is one part preparation, one part observation, one part improvisation, and one part negotiation.
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
What Is It About?
- First published in 1937, Think and Grow Rich is an oldie, but a goodie. It’s the spiritual successor to Dale Carnegie’s famous How to Win Friends and Influence People. Universally applicable business and networking advice are abundant, as Hill tells of his journey from the poor house to prosperity.
Who Is It For?
- Everyone!
Most Important Lesson?
- The power of positivity
What have you read that has added to your career or professional development? We’d love to hear from you!