Career success is much more than having a real job and earning a decent income.

Career success is much more than having a real job and earning a decent income. Real career success is truly enjoying what you do for a living and having the personal freedom to perform your work virtually any time you want. This one-of a-kind guide cha

Twenty-five years ago, Zelinski was fired from his engineering job for taking too much vacation time. Now, he works only four or five hours a day--and earns a better living than 80 percent of the corporate world. Here the bestselling author provides an inspiring guide for all those creative, ambitious individuals who want to escape the rat race and make a good living on their own terms.

Twenty-five years ago, Ernie J. Zelinski was fired from his engineering job for taking too much vacation time. Now, he works only five hours a day and earns more money than 80 percent of the corporate world. CAREER SUCCESS WITHOUT A REAL JOB provides practical tips and inspiration for creative and ambitious individuals looking to escape the rat race and make a good living on their own terms.

Secrets to Success in Industry Careers introduces you to the differences between what is needed in school and what is needed in industry. It describes the entire process of obtaining a job including analysis of a job description, writing an application, preparation for an interview, and conduct during and after an interview. Most importantly, this book is the ideal “industry-insider guide because it provides you with skills and understanding essential for success on the job. Fictional anecdotes make it easy to understand application of these skills, summarized at the end of each chapter and supported by self guided assessment questionnaires. This is the ideal guide on how to succeed for anyone seeking a job or already employed in both industry and academic environments. Self-assessment tools are included to help identify strengths and opportunities for growth Includes chapters on understanding business goals, leadership and teamwork, communication skills, marketing, discipline, flexibility, innovation, intellectual property, special technologies, quality, ethics, globalization, ambiguity, expectation and career management Author has developed highly successful industry-relevant training for students and new employees and has experience from both industry and academic environments Contains a compilation of essential technical and managerial skills necessary for success in industry, including chapters on expectation management and career management

Why are so many people unhappy on-the-job? . As many as 7 out of 10 Americans are currently dissatisfied with their careers. . Expensive college degrees are seen by our society as a requirement to enter the American workforce. Yet, many students fail to graduate with the skills and knowedge necessary to embark on a satisfying career path.The result is an unprepared individual, saddled with debt, and frustrated with a system that has left them hanging with respect to making good career decisions. . The concept of work-life balance continues to elude our society as thousands of workers complain of 'living to work' instead of 'working to live.' It's no secret that career satisfaction eludes much of the American working population, but what's worse is the lack of resources and coaching to help today's employee find the career satisfaction they seek. In this innovative, step-by-step guide, workplace expert, professional development specialist, and nationally syndicated career advice columnist, J.T. O'Donnell (www.jtodonnell.com) unlocks the secrets to working smarter when it comes to creating a career you can get excited about.With more than 15 years experience, having coached thousands of individuals, O'Donnell will show you how to develop an authentic definition of professional success that will get you results. Here's what readers have to say: Her strategic approach really helped me flesh out what traits and experience I brought to the table for a potential employer in a different field. Her methods, encouragement and continued support have led me to find the right career path.- Helen D. I hated my job, wanted out, and didn't know where to begin. I had a decision to make: I could continue on the track to working my 9-5 job in front of a desk and let it define me and make me miserable, or look for something different. J.T.showed me that it's not your job that defines you at all;it's you who defines your job. She worked with me to figure out my strengths and work on my weaknesses. J.T.helped me learn that who I am is far more than the paycheck I bring in. Through that exploration of my own real desires, J.T.helped me to realize that I needed a far more creative outlet to be successful in. I can truly say that without J.T.'s help, I certainly would not be where I am today. I'm more aware of my life and the people in it...I absolutely love my job and really feel successful. I owe an immense amount of gratitude to J.T. for getting me to this place in my life. - Danielle H. The information in this book is so on target, I wish I'd found it earlier in my career.I can't begin to express what it is like to have finally found not just the reasons, but the solutions, to my past career disappointments.- John T.

This career development tool kit is for people who want to take charge of their own professional futures. If you want to have a career that is meaningful and inspires you, you must prepare for it the same way you would a marathon—developing an overall training plan to carry you through to race day and beyond. This is especially important in today's unpredictable work world, where organizations are in a state of constant flux, and many have either eliminated their employee development programs or adopted a generic, one-size-fits-all approach. Skills for Career Success maps the strategies and skills you will need to take responsibility for your own future. It provides an overview of career development basics, including how to write an Individual Development Plan (IDP) that is practical and useful to you. The core of the book is an easy-to-navigate catalog of fifty-one critical skills, such as communicating clearly, adapting to situations, advocating for yourself, managing time, and selling your ideas. For each skill, there are actions you can take immediately, ongoing practices, and long-term goals. Beyond the skills, there is advice for keeping your career on track, mapping a path beyond your current job, overcoming personal roadblocks, finding your passion at work, and initiating talent conversations with your manager. There are also guidelines for managers who want to bring out the best in their people.