Career Rookie

March 1, 2019

Canadian career coach Vermunt (Careergasm) provides perfunctory coverage of topics typically addressed in the vast pantheon of career self-help books, including self-assessment, career transitioning, fear of failure, transferable skills, internships, résumé and cover letter writing, interviewing, and salary negotiations. Aimed at twentysomething college graduates, it contains such nuggets of wisdom as, "None of us out there knows what the fuck we're doing. It's one of the secrets of adulthood." No mention is made of the most oft-cited concern of hiring managers--communication skills. This comes as no surprise from a book with an introduction titled "What the Actual Fuck" and chapters that include "Give a Fuck," "Fuckups," and "No Boring Shit." Vermunt knows her subject matter and possesses genuine concern for the well-being of early career-stage adults. But the volume feels more like a slapdash effort to garner website visitors, career coaching clientele, and speaking engagements than an earnest attempt to offer thorough and thoughtful advice. VERDICT Readers looking for an irreverent career guide may appreciate this selection, but it's no replacement for more serious works such as Roberto Angulo's Getting Your First Job (for Dummies) and Steven Mostyn's Job Search.--Alan Farber, Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

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