10 Books to Help Further Your Career

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There’s always a significant adjustment to make when transitioning from school to the workforce, with the sudden realization that no matter how smart or talented you are, you’re starting at the bottom.

To help you determine what you want from your professional life and how to make the most of it, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite business books.

If you want to bolster your networking, leadership, and time-management skills, it’s time to get reading.

So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport

Some of the most common advice you’ll hear when you’re starting out is that if you pursue your passion, the money will follow.

But there’s a big caveat to that, argues Newport, an author and professor. For most people, he says mastery of a certain skill can lead to finding your passion, since the mastery of this skill can open new doors and allow you to progress in your career.

He’s not suggesting you give up on your dreams, but ensure that you pair them with a dose of reality and make yourself valuable in the marketplace.

The Black Swan by Nassim Taleb

People love the illusion of certainty provided by predictions.

In The Black Swan, investor-philosopher Taleb diagnoses the way people misguidedly lean on prediction as a way of moving through the world, and reveals how the most structured of systems are the most vulnerable to collapse — like the financial system in 2007.

It’s rare to find a book that will change the way you think about the world. This is one such book.

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

Regardless of whether you agree with Sandberg’s controversial theories,Lean In is a must-read for anyone looking to join the conversation around women and leadership.

In the book, she combines compelling research with moving personal stories to examine how women unintentionally undermine their professional progress. Moreover, she offers guidance for women and men looking to promote women’s career success.

It’s a work that will make readers of any gender question their assumptions about what it really takes to succeed — and be satisfied — at work.

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

While a book about the science of habit change might sound like it’ll put you to sleep, The Power of Habit is anything but.

In fact, it’s one of the most useful and entertaining books for young professionals looking to set themselves up for a lifetime of health and happiness.

Duhigg, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, explains how the road to success — whether that means quitting smoking or procrastinating — is paved with tiny behavior tweaks you can implement today.

Give and Take by Adam Grant

Something in our culture tells us we need to be barbaric and backstabbing to grow professionally.

But in Give and Take, Grant, a Wharton organizational psychologist, outlines why that view is dead wrong. The research indicates that people who create the most value for others are the ones who end up on the top of their fields. And Grant shows you how.

#GirlBoss by Sophia Amoruso

Amoruso, founder of online retailer Nasty Gal, isn’t afraid to get personal.

In #GirlBoss, she shares stories from her wayward youth, including stealing and dumpster diving, and how it paved the way for her tremendous success.

The book is chock full of practical advice that will inspire you to follow your passion and forge your own professional path. The bottom line? It won’t be easy, but it will definitely be worth it.

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Those who are just starting out on their own realize quickly that interpersonal skills are just as important as the skills they list on their résumés.

Think and Grow Rich is a pioneering personal success title that has become one of the top-selling books of all time since it was first published in 1937.

Hill was a journalist who developed a friendship with the industrialist Andrew Carnegie, who was the world’s richest man at one point. Carnegie spent days with Hill explaining all of the lessons he learned from his rise from extreme poverty to the pinnacle of wealth, and Hill then spent his career writing about those ideas.

Think and Grow Rich is a collection of timeless advice on building meaningful relationships and exhibiting leadership that anyone can practice immediately.

How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Along with Think and Grow Rich,How to Win Friends & Influence People has remained a bestselling book since the time of the Great Depression for its timeless wisdom.

Carnegie’s book, a favorite of legendary investor Warren Buffett’s, is more focused on the psychology behind daily interactions and how to use an understanding of how people work to emerge as a leader and influencer.

Carnegie’s language and references can be charmingly dated, but the core lessons on how to overcome conflict and inspire people to open up to you are just as valuable today as they were decades ago.

Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath

The philosophy behind StrengthsFinder 2.0 is that we should spend less time focusing on our flaws and weaknesses and more time focusing on what we do well.

Based on a 2001 book published by Gallup, this second edition features a strengths assessment as well as techniques for putting those strengths into action.

As you consider what career your personality and skill set are best suited for, this book will help you find your professional niche and figure out how you can best contribute to society.

Zero to One by Peter Thiel

Twenty-somethings today live in a world where startups turn young entrepreneurs into billionaires and tech founders have replaced Wall Street hotshots as what Tom Wolfe called “Masters of the Universe.”

Thiel, a billionaire investor and entrepreneur, pulls back the curtain on this world. It’s an enjoyable and concise guide to how game-changing businesses are built and managed.

For more good reads:

Reference: http://time.com/4058124/business-books/