Whether you’re trying to get your career to a new level, you’re attempting to proposition your boss to pony up for a raise, or you’re stuck in a rut and looking for a new business venture, these books will help you get there. No, they won’t tell you how to take someone hostage and sign papers giving in to your demands — if you take that route, a prospective hiring manager down the road has to love the persistence, right? — but they’ll clue you in on things that can give you the edge: reading body language, managing work flow, balancing your work-life balance, and gaining an advantage during negotiations.
#1. What I Wish EVERY Job Candidate Knew: 15 Minutes to a Better Interview ($4 @ Amazon.com)
Despite an uptick in the economy, the job market is still incredibly competitive. To gain an edge you need to know how to ace the interview. This includes not just answering questions the right way, but knowing when to ask questions and when to keep your big yap shut. These tips can help you refine your approach and, with luck and proper preparation, land a new gig.
#2. The Kickstarter Handbook: Real-Life Success Stories of Artists, Inventors, and Entrepreneurs ($11 @ Amazon.com)
You can get your new product or idea life and exposure through crowdfunding sites, Kickstarter being the most popular of them all. But you’ll go nowhere if you think it’s easy money. It’s not. It’s work — a lot of it. This book breaks things down using real-life examples, offering plenty of ideas and tips for getting your Kickstarter up and running and making it successful. Best of all, it’s an easy read … you know, despite all the words used.
