“Use this opportunity. Make this not only a hunt for a job, but a hunt for a life. A deeper life, a victorious life, a life you’re prouder of.”
Looking to level up your career? Whether you’re preparing for a big job interview, negotiating a raise or aiming to boost your professional skills, the right book can prove to be a real game-changer. From proven strategies to acing interviews to mastering the art of negotiation, these career-boosting reads are packed with expert advice curated to help you succeed. Perfect for job seekers, seasoned professionals or anyone striving for career success, these books offer practical tips, real-world examples and inspiring journeys to fuel your journey. Which is why we here at What We Reading have rounded up the must-read career-boosting books to help you shine in interviews, strengthen your negotiation skills and achieve all your professional goals!
Lean In: Women, Work, And The Will To Lead – Sheryl Sandberg
First up on our list of the most essential career-boosting books is Sheryl Sandberg’s acclaimed self-help work, Lean In. Drawing from her experiences as the COO of Facebook and a tech leader, Sandberg shares insights on overcoming workplace challenges, negotiating effectively and achieving professional success. She tackles critical topics such as gender bias, the myth behind ‘having it all’, and the importance of building a supportive network.
Brimming with practical advice and personal anecdotes, Lean In encourages readers to take bold steps in their careers, whether that means advocating for promotions, leading a team or creating a better work-life balance. Perfect for career development enthusiasts, Lean In remains a cornerstone in the conversation about professional growth and equality.
The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons In Personal Change – Stephen R. Covey
Based on principles of fairness, integrity and human dignity, Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People remains one of the best career books for both professional and personal success. In it, Covey emphasises moving from dependence to independence and finally interdependence, where collaboration is able to thrive. Key habits to this include being proactive, beginning with the end in mind and prioritising what truly matters. Covey also demonstrates the importance of effective communication, teamwork and self-renewal.
Practical and deeply insightful, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People equips readers with strategies to manage time effectively, strengthen leadership skills and achieve real success in both their personal and professional lives.
What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual For Job-Hunters And Career-Changers – Richard Nelson Bolles
What Color Is Your Parachute? by Richard Bolles is the ultimate guide for job seekers and career changers looking to stand out in interviews, boost their career growth and secure fulfilling opportunities. Updated every year, this serial bestseller provides actionable tips on navigating the modern job market, crafting resumes that get noticed and mastering the art of the job interview.
Bolles emphasises how pivotal understanding your strengths, passions and career goals is, offering exercises such as the ‘Flower Diagram’ to help readers identify their ideal work environment. The book also delves into networking strategies, negotiation techniques and how to infiltrate the hidden job market. Packed with real-world case studies and motivational insights, Bolles’ work is a must-read for any readers aiming to ace interviews, negotiate better offers and take control of their career development journey.
Check Out The Best Job Interview Books
How To Win Friends And Influence People – Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie’s classic How to Win Friends and Influence People offers essential strategies for job seekers, interviewees and anyone looking to negotiate or lead confidently. Carnegie provides practical advice on how to improve interpersonal skills, gain trust and positively influence others.
From becoming genuinely interested in other people to using praise and encouragement effectively, the book teaches readers how to connect with others, inspire cooperation and achieve success. How to Win Friends and Influence People remains one of the must-read career books for boosting your career development and thriving in any professional setting.
The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies For New Leaders At All Levels – Michael D. Watkins
The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins is an essential guide for professionals looking to make a successful transition into a new role, whether you’re starting a new job, changing careers or moving into a leadership role. This career-boosting book offers strategic advice on how to navigate the crucial first three months to ensure long-term success.
Watkins emphasises the importance of learning quickly, building relationships and laying the groundwork for further growth. With actionable tips on how to assess your new role, negotiate priorities and develop an effective strategy, The First 90 Days helps you build credibility, manage challenges and make the most of your career opportunities.
Ask For More: 10 Questions To Negotiate Anything – Alexandra Carter
Utilising her expertise as a negotiation trainer at Columbia Law School, Carter redefines negotiation as a process of asking the right questions and listening effectively. Unlike traditional negotiation books focused on winning, Ask For More emphasises collaboration and understanding to create mutually beneficial outcomes.
Alexandra Carter introduces readers to a powerful framework built around ten essential questions, helping readers approach interviews, salary discussions and workplace challenges with confidence and clarity. This book is an invaluable resource for professionals looking to negotiate pay raises, ace job interviews and build stronger relationships, making it one of the best career books for driving career success.
Radical Candor: Be A Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity – Kim Malone Scott
One of the most powerful guides to mastering communication and leadership skills in the workplace, Kim Scott’s Radical Candor is a go-to for professionals looking to improve their negotiation and interpersonal skills through providing honest, direct feedback whilst showing genuine care for others.
Scott introduces the concept of ‘radical candor’ – a balanced approach that blends both ‘Care Personally’ and ‘Challenge Directly’ to build trust and foster effective relationships. Whether you’re managing a team, preparing for an interview, or navigating career growth, the principles within this guidebook are guaranteed to help you communicate clearly, give constructive feedback and strengthen professional connections.
You Can Negotiate Anything: The World’s Best Negotiator Tells You How To Get What You Want – Herb Cohen
Whether you’re preparing for a job interview, aiming for a raise or navigating a stressful issue in the workplace, Herb Cohen’s You Can Negotiate Anything offers practical advice that equips you with the skills to negotiate effectively in any given situation. Cohen, a seasoned veteran in the art of negotiation, breaks down the process into simple steps and shares strategies for gaining leverage, building rapport and finding outcomes that benefit all parties.
By emphasising the power of understanding human behaviour, managing emotions and knowing when to compromise, You Can Negotiate Anything offers valuable insights for professionals aiming to improve their negotiation skills and achieve success. Cohen’s work remains one of the most essential career resources for job seekers, business leaders and anyone else looking to negotiate like a pro and get a step ahead in their career.
60 Seconds And You’re Hired! – Robin Ryan
60 Seconds and You’re Hired! by Robin Ryan is an essential resource for job seekers looking to master interviewing skills and stand out in an increasingly competitive job market. Focused on helping you make a lasting first impression, this book teaches you how to leverage the critical first minute of an interview to secure the job of your dreams.
Ryan offers practical, step-by-step strategies for answering common interview questions, crafting a compelling elevator pitch and demonstrating your qualifications with confidence. The book also provides expert advice on negotiating salary, showcasing your skills and handling tough interviewers and interview questions effectively. Perfect for anyone preparing for a career change or looking to boost their job search, 60 Seconds and You’re Hired! rewards readers with the tools to ace interviews, negotiate like a pro and set themselves up for career success.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
