Searching for a new job can be a challenging journey filled with uncertainties and questions. Fortunately, Amazon’s vast bookshelves offer a treasure trove of guidance, wisdom, and proven strategies to help job seekers navigate the ever-competitive job market. In this article, we delve into the realm of career development and job hunting, exploring the top 10 most-sold job hunting books on Amazon so far. From interview techniques that can turn opportunities into offers to profound insights on personal growth and career success, these books offer a roadmap for those embarking on a quest for their dream job.
10 Most-Sold Job Hunting Books On Amazon So Far
“Cracking the Coding Interview” by Gayle Laakmann McDowell
Written by Gayle Laakmann McDowell, “Cracking the Coding Interview: 189 Programming Questions and Solutions” serves as an indispensable resource for aspiring tech professionals. This book is the ultimate guide for tackling coding interviews. McDowell’s delves into the intricacies of coding interviews, offering a meticulous breakdown of 189 programming questions and their solutions. These questions mirror those posed by top-tier tech companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon.com, Facebook, and Palantir Technologies during job interviews.
The book serves as a lifeline for individuals navigating the demanding world of technical interviews, aiding them in honing their problem-solving skills and mastering the art of coding. Covering a spectrum of programming, computer science, and technical topics, it is a must-read for those looking to excel in the tech industry. Since its initial publication on October 14, 2008, it has remained a trusted companion for countless job seekers aiming to crack the coding interview and secure coveted positions in the tech sector.
“What Got You Here Won’t Get You There” by Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter
Goldsmith, a highly sought-after executive coach, sheds light on the subtle nuances that can make or break an executive’s journey to the top. While many are intelligent, skilled, and charismatic, only a select few reach the pinnacle of corporate success. Goldsmith identifies these as “transactional flaws” – seemingly minor actions, such as failing to express gratitude, that create negative perceptions and hinder progress.
With straightforward and accessible advice, Goldsmith provides practical guidance on how to rectify these behaviors. Previously reserved for one-on-one coaching engagements costing a staggering $250,000, Goldsmith’s wisdom becomes accessible to a broader audience through this book, offering valuable lessons in business, leadership, and personal development. If you aspire to excel in the corporate world, “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There” is a must-read.
“Cracking the PM Interview” by Gayle Laakmann McDowell and Jackie Bavaro
In “Cracking the PM Interview: How to Land a Product Manager Job in Technology,” authors Gayle Laakmann McDowell and Jackie Bavaro present a valuable resource for aspiring product managers. This book offers a comprehensive guide to securing a product management role in the ever-evolving tech industry.
The book delves into the multifaceted world of product management, shedding light on the varying responsibilities of PMs across different companies. Readers gain insights into the required experience, how to translate existing skills, and what constitutes an impressive PM resume and cover letter. Moreover, the book provides a deep dive into mastering the PM interview process, covering estimation, behavioral, case, product, and technical questions, along with the crucial art of the “pitch.”
“What Color Is Your Parachute?” by Richard N. Bolles
The book is a beacon of career guidance. With over fifty years of relevance and more than ten million copies sold, it has solidified its place as one of the most trusted and sought-after career guides globally. This extensively revised and expanded edition remains at the forefront of job-hunting literature. Acknowledged by Fast Company as one of the pioneering job-hunting books, it continues to be a cornerstone in the field. Bolles’ masterpiece provides not only timeless advice but also contemporary insights into the ever-evolving job market.
At its heart lies the renowned Flower Exercise, a self-inventory tool that helps individuals align their careers with their passions, skills, and traits. Furthermore, the book offers invaluable guidance on resume and cover letter writing, effective networking, confident interviewing, and salary negotiation.
“Swipe to Unlock: The Primer on Technology and Business Strategy” by Neel Mehta, Aditya Agashe
Penned by Product Managers hailing from tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook, this book serves as an indispensable guide for comprehending the fundamental principles of technology and the strategic underpinnings that drive it. “Swipe to Unlock” has garnered acclaim in Business Insider, where it was hailed as “our generation’s Rosetta Stone for enabling non-engineers to peer into the technology changing everyday life” by Jeremy Schifeling.
In your daily life, you likely employ Google’s services regularly. Have you ever pondered how Google manages to amass billions in revenue while offering search, email, and maps for free? How do they tailor ads to perfectly match your interests? And how is it that they can search the entire internet with such lightning speed?
Through concrete answers to real-world queries like these, “Swipe to Unlock” provides you with an insider’s glimpse into the inner workings of the technology that surrounds us. It demystifies the peculiar jargon of technologists and delves into how technology is reshaping our society, both for the better and the worse. This book unlocks the knowledge you need to become a more informed consumer, a savvy digital citizen, or a proficient technology enthusiast.
“System Design Interview – An insider’s guide” by Alex Xu
This book offers a comprehensive framework to effectively approach system design questions, often considered among the most complex and demanding technical job interview scenarios.
This guide provides readers with:
- Insider insights into what interviewers truly seek and why.
- A 4-step framework for systematically addressing system design interview questions.
- 15 real-world system design interview questions, complete with detailed solutions.
- A staggering 188 diagrams to visually elucidate the inner workings of diverse systems.
The book’s chapters cover a wide range of topics, including scaling from zero to millions of users, back-of-the-envelope estimation, and a framework for system design interviews. It then delves into specific design questions, from rate limiters to chat systems, offering comprehensive guidance for each.
“System Design Interview – An insider’s guide” is an essential companion for those aspiring to excel in system design interviews, encompassing programming, technology, computer science, and software architecture within its purview.
“Knock ’em Dead Job Interview” by Martin Yate CPC
The book is presented in the form of handy flashcards that guide readers on how to effectively demonstrate essential transferable skills, behaviors, and values that are highly sought after by employers. Martin Yate, a seasoned career expert, equips readers with the formulas and strategies needed to not only land the job they desire but also embark on a path toward long-term career success.
Incorporating elements of nonfiction, self-help, reference, and personal development, “Knock ’em Dead Job Interview” has been a trusted resource for job seekers since its initial publication in 1994. It continues to be a valuable tool for those looking to navigate the intricacies of job interviews and secure their dream job.
“Product Management’s Sacred Seven” by Parth Detroja, Neel Mehta, Aditya Agashe
Next we have, “Product Management’s Sacred Seven: The Skills Required to Crush Product Manager Interviews and be a World-Class PM” which is a highly-rated guide co-authored by Product Managers from major tech companies like Facebook, Google, and Microsoft.
Based on interviews with 67 product leads and hiring managers from top global firms, it reveals seven key subjects that set exceptional PMs apart: product design, economics, psychology, user experience, data science, law & policy, and marketing & growth.
The book offers a comprehensive overview of these areas, blending real-world examples, theory, and mental models to help readers excel. With numerous positive ratings and reviews, it’s a valuable resource for those aiming to ace PM interviews and become proficient product leaders in today’s tech-driven world.
“60 Seconds and You’re Hired!” by Robin Ryan
The “60 Seconds & You’re Hired!: Revised Edition” by Robin Ryan is a must-have guide for job seekers looking to ace interviews and land their dream jobs. Drawing on 20 years of experience as a career counselor and 30 years of direct hiring, Robin Ryan shares proven strategies to empower candidates during the interview process.
This revised edition features unique techniques like “The 60 Second Sell” and “The 5-Point Agenda” to give you a competitive edge. It provides over 125 answers to tough interview questions, guidance on handling structured or behavioral interview questions, and advice on questions to ask (and avoid) during interviews.
Additionally, the book offers insights on effectively addressing salary questions to maximize your negotiation power and highlights common interview pitfalls to steer clear of. With this comprehensive resource, job seekers can enhance their interview skills and increase their chances of success in the competitive job market.
“The 2-Hour Job Search, Second Edition” by Steve Dalton
It is a highly practical and efficient guide for job seekers looking to leverage technology to secure their desired job interviews. In a world where technology has transformed job searching, this book offers a streamlined approach to help you land your first interview quickly.
Steve Dalton’s three-step method empowers job seekers to select, prioritize, and connect with potential employers effectively. This revised edition includes updated advice on navigating online job postings, reaching out to contacts, and utilizing platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Google for job hunting.
The book incorporates insights from behavioral economics, psychology, and game theory, along with real success stories from readers of the first edition. The 2-Hour Job Search method has been widely adopted, including in academic settings, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to make technology work in their favor during the job search process.
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