The Purple Parachute.

A Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Winds of Career Change. By Paula Battalia Brand

I know the author says “A Woman’s Guide” but this career advice is great for anyone who is in the process of finding a new job or about to go through a career transition. There are some special items for women, but her advice matches my approach to the career development process very well. I love how Paula provides a comprehensive approach to the career process beginning with her ASTER model which looks at these steps: Assess, Seek, Test, Execute, Repeat steps. She walks us through these steps with great explanations, activities, and then stories that bring the steps to life for the reader.

She then talks about the importance of assessing what she calls the V.I.N.E.S.

• Values
• Interests
• Natural Disposition (personality)
• Exceptional Qualities (I really loved this section because for our clients it is where it really brings out the uniqueness of the person)
• Skills

This really is a “working” book where there are many activities for the person to think about how what she shares relates to the individual. She makes you think. Then write down your responses which often is where the learning happens. Plus she provides additional resources on her website to help you.

For me, the case studies she shares about herself or clients, really brings what she is teaching us to life. 

And then just because she is so thought-provoking, the chapters begin with inspiring quotes from all kinds of people. For example: from Meg Whitman, “The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of a mistake“. This relates well to my philosophy of “intentional serendipity” where my clients have to be “intentional” and actually take some ACTION and then be open to discovering something by accident.

Paula’s philosophy and approach to career development are very similar to mine. I really appreciate how she has made the process practical, thought-provoking, and action oriented.