Unlimited Options: Career Strategies to Last a Lifetime

Journal of College Student Development, May/Jun 1998 by Pletcher, Jill M

Lily Maestas and Lorelei Snyder Santa Barbara, CA: Prosperity Press, 1996, 239 pages, $14.97 (softcover)

Empowering clients with the appropriate tools for career decision-making and implementation is a primary tenet of career counseling. Accordingly, Maestas and Snyder's goal is to provide a how-to book which "stays focused on the job search and career planning process," one which "organizes the process in a logical sequence, and reinforces each step with consistent application" (p. 6).

Maestas and Snyder focus on a model of career development which assists people in defining and developing what they call "the Professional Self . . . an attitude, created through knowledge, focused through research, and packaged to sell" (p. 4). Although the Professional Self is never defined any further, the process which the authors outline is a familiar one to those of us who do career counseling. The three phases of assessment, research and marketing provide the foundation for the book. Each chapter deals with a single step, illustrated by a case study.

The first chapter lays the groundwork for the three-part approach. The authors discuss the importance of career seekers defining who they are and what they want professionally, and identify attitude as the key element in approaching career choice and change. They also present the importance of becoming a career consumer, one who knows where to look for employment trends and career options in the framework of a global economy.

Chapters 2 through 5 focus on personal assessment, the first phase. Chapter 2, "Inventorying Your Interests," introduces the idea that interests should provide the stimulation and excitement in one's work (a concept surprisingly foreign to many students). The authors recommend traditional interest inventories based on the work of John Holland (e.g., Strong Interest Inventory, Self-Directed Search), but also provide a modified version in the book for those who do not have access to such tests through a career counselor. A career fantasy visualization exercise is also included.

Chapter 3 outlines several exercises for identifying skills. This process helps develop a skills vocabulary which will later be used to communicate one's assets through resumes and interviews. It is also important in deciding which skills a career seeker would most like to use in his or her next career. Work values, described as "attitudinal measuring sticks for determining your most important sources of satisfaction" (p. 49), are covered in Chapter 4. A values prioritization exercise is included. Corporate values are also discussed.

Chapter 5 is entitled "Identifying Your Personality Style." Understanding one's style is key not only in making a career/work environment choice, but also in appreciating and working with diversity in the workplace. The authors recommend the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator for those working with a career counselor, but provide a Personal Style Inventory as an alternative.

"Researching Your Options," Chapter 6, deals with identifying and targeting potential markets. The authors offer sage advice: Basically you want to train your mind to recognize and accept information about careers and economic trends that is readily available as part of your daily life. You need to train yourself to become a career consumer. (p. 95)

This development of a career-focused "third eye" acts as a filter through which everything will become career oriented. Maestas and Snyder recommend exploration starting with global issues, moving through national and industry trends, into specific employers and positions. Specific resources are listed. They also advocate use of informational interviewing and the internet as tools in the detective work.

Chapters 7 through 9 focus on the marketing tools of correspondence, resumes, and interviews. Correspondence includes cover, thank you, and acceptance/rejecting/counter letters. Suggested resume content and formats are discussed. The chapter on interviewing covers preparation, articulating qualifications to an employer, references, and basics of interview etiquette and dress. Frequently asked interview questions are included.

Chapter 10, "Negotiating," outlines ten steps involved in assessing and asking for what one wants once the job is offered. Salary is only one item to be considered; a list of common negotiable items is included.

Chapter 11, "Establishing Your Time Line," deals with the realities of the career planning and job search process. These include estimated time lines for career changers and job seekers, the advantages of being employed while searching, sources of assistance, goal setting, and maintaining a balance. Appendices include "The Role of the Career Counselor" and "When and How to Use An Employment Agency."

The strengths of the book are twofold:

1. The clear delineation of the career change and job search process, with specific exercises to assist with each step. For those who are unfamiliar with the process and who are not working with a counselor, this framework would be helpful. The process described in the book is not new, but is accurate and appropriate.