Q&A: Careers Guru Richard Bolles
A '70s icon meets Twitters and puzzles over generation Y
When Richard Bolles first self-published his job-hunting manual in 1970, he was trying to help a group of campus ministers find new jobs. He was not expecting to be picked up by a commercial publisher, which he was in 1972, much less to be made savior of the nation's unemployed. By 1982, when unemployment hit 10.8 percent, his book was more popular on college campuses than even The Simple Solution to Rubik's Cube. Bolles spoke with U.S. News about the book's success. Excerpts:
Why did What Color Is Your Parachute? become a bestseller?
If only I knew. It was everywhere, on every college campus, in 1978. It was a new idea that there were alternatives to how you looked for a job, besides the customary résumés, agencies, and ads. Nobody had told them that. No college course had talked about that. I remember everywhere I went, I was treated like a celebrity. One airport in Cedar Rapids laid out a carpet from the little airplane that brought me from Chicago to the terminal.
What made you look for alternatives?
I knew every other job-hunting book that was already out there because I'd done my research very thoroughly, and there were 13 of them. I knew very well that the questions I was pursuing nobody had thought of. The [others] all presented résumés, and then they leaped immediately to interviews, and then they leaped immediately to: "Now that you've got this job." And I said to myself: There is a gap there the size of the Grand Canyon. Because what happens if you send your résumé out and you don't get any interviews or you don't get the job from the interviews that you do manage to find?
You update the book each year. Has the Internet made the job search much easier?
I stay up with all this stuff—when it's something new like Twitter or when something comes down the road that I've never heard of. But by now, I bring a certain holy skepticism to new trends. You know, when people say, "The social networking sites are going to revolutionize job hunting," I say, "Well, be sure and tell me the first time you hear that someone got a job from a social networking site, because I don't hear much about that."
Are you surprised by the qualities of generation Y, like the demand for flexible schedules or Facebook use at work?
Are we talking about self-absorption, or what is the topic? [Laughs.] When you pass 80, you get bold. You can say anything you want. I started to emphasize years ago—job hunting is becoming a member of a symphony orchestra. If you're a piccolo player, you'd better learn what notes to play during the symphony—that's self-inventory. If you don't know all the other parts, you get the idea that it's a piccolo concerto.
Is there more of that with the Y generation? Sure. We all know that. They grew up with their nannies and computers. They can work for hours cheerfully all by themselves. That does something to you. It does something to your view of the world.
Reader Comments
Per conversation
Richard-
This is Adena Shepherd, from the Left Bank, the green eyed waitress, now living in Colorado. Years have passed, since we last had spoke. You and I discussed that I had written a children's book.
Based on our last conversation, I have followed your advice and tightened my book up, to be shown to a publisher. I appreciate that you took the time to test and counsel me on my direction and goals. I know that you are sought after for your counsel and insight. The fact that you have offered time from your busy life and to help me, moves me to meet life's challenges and believe in myself. My sincere thanks for your friendship and council.
As you know, my dream has been to start a healing center for children. My intention is for a percentage of the sales of my book to be donated to children's organizations in Denver.
I am elated about the gifts I have been given and believe that my book titled "Sleepy Time Sam and Skinny Cat Skips Dream Time Adventures", will be the start toward helping children in need.
I wish to extend my friendship, gratitude and open door policy to you, for changing my life and for your offering of faith and friendship. Who knew God, would bless me to this magnitude.
I am finally stable, happy and excited about my path and life. Thank you for being a part of my inspiration and a helping hand.
I have the work to submit to your publisher. I know you have no pull in their decision, but either way, I am grateful to you for offering to hand my work to the right people, who may be helpful in this endeavor. The professional steps have been taken, to submit my works.
I am currently working on a second book to be submitted as a companion piece to" Sleepy Time Sam's and Skinny Cat Skip's Dream Time Adventures ".
I would be honored and grateful if you would show my work to your publisher. The story has been read by moms, children, and a technical and grammatical editors, all with great response. I have funding for an illustrator, yet upon contacting several published illustrators, they recommend submission of written works to the publisher. I guess, it is normal for a publisher to pick their own illustrator.
With polishing and hard work, I have no doubt my book will sell. It is a great story, a tool and creative outlet for parents and their children. I am working on the sequel and have dolls that also can be made and sold with the book.
How would you like me to proceed? I have misplaced your information from our last conversation, three years ago.
I am ready to submit my work.
I would like to extend my gratitude for your time and efforts.
I will forever mention your helping hand and have no problem paying you for your time.
I would hope, this reaches you with my contact information.
Your friendship was a life altering one for me. I am unable to locate your phone number and direct information that you had given me. So, here is my information
Adena Shepherd
1945 S. Sherman St.
Denver, Co. 80210
720.308.8107
Again, I greatly look forward to hearing from you and I thank you for your inspiration and helping hand.
Best Regards, Adena Shepherd
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