Thinking of making a career change in 2023? These are the books you should read first

Work has really got us down in the past two years. Our home-life started to blend with work-life as kitchen tables doubled as office desks and we began working longer hours than ever, missing all the highlights of watercooler talk, time away from kids and even the commute – being locked indoors 24-7 is no craic.

But you must remember that making a career change is a big decision and one that requires a lot of thought and planning. Luckily, it’s never been a better time to be a career-focused woman and there are so many inspirational stories out there to help you make your next move.

The Multi-Hyphen Method by Emma Gannon

Probably the most timely of the books on our list, Gannon’s explainer of how to curate a modern career, with multiple titles, multiple schedules and working on your own terms, is a herald of what the real future of work looks like for creative women.

Fearless And Free by Wendy Sachs

If hearing real stories and real advice is more your vibe, Sach’s book of interviews with the women who’ve successfully pivoted their careers is well worth a look. Focusing on how technology and the “start-up spirit” have influenced modern working life, this is packed with advice on how to be a go-getter.

What Color Is Your Parachute? by Richard Nelson Bolles

With over 10 million copies sold, What Color is Your Parachute? is one of the most popular job search books in the world and its update for 2018 means it’s as relevant as ever. If you’ve decided on a career change but need help with C.V’s, interviews, follow-ups and new bosses, this is the practical advice guide you need.

Do What You Are by Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron

Everyone loves a good personality test, but are you really using them to their full advantage when it comes to your career? Working off the famous Myers-Briggs test, Do What You Are is a great way to figure out where your strengths and weaknesses lie and how to turn them into a career that will make you happy.

The Myth Of The Nice Girl by Fran Hauser

If the reason for your career change is that you’ve started to hate the people around you (and maybe the person you’re becoming because of them), this is your book. Emotional labour is a big part of any job, and it can be easy to look at successful people and think that we should copy them to do the same. Not so – you can totally be yourself and still make it in the world.

The New Rules of Work by Alexandra Cavoulacos and Kathryn Minshew

Written by the founders of career guru website The Muse, Cavoulacos and Minshew have three sets of new rules when it comes to modern careers – for finding the right path, for landing the perfect job and for growing and advancing in your career. This guide covers them all, from people that have been writing about careers for years.

Pivot by Jenny Blake

If there was one keyword that summed up modern careers, it would be ‘pivot’. We have to pivot our skillset, pivot our jobs and pivot our preconceptions of what our careers will look like in five/ten/fifteen years. Pivot teaches you how to always be thinking about your next move – but in an exciting way, not a scary one.

Love Your Job by Kerry Hannon

And finally, if a big job change isn’t possible for you right now, maybe finding happiness in your current position is. Love Your Job centres around all the negative thoughts and habits we’ve built up around work, and aims to break them down so you can build a happier career from the job you’re in, rather than always pining after a new one. Good advice even if you’re in a dream job.