The front cover of the book claims the book is “A radical Career plan to
-Take control of your work life,
-Boost your income,
-Have a job offer always in hand
-Find happiness outside of the office.”

I would agree the book delivers what it claims. The author talks about how the parents of baby boomers saw work as a career and how the baby boomers looked to their work for fulfillment. In both cases the way companies operate today it is not possible to find long term careers or fulfillment in your work in any one company.

The plan in this book is to find self-fulfillment by fully living your life outside of work and not trying to find it at your workplace. Work is a tool for personal advancement and for maximizing your earnings. The authors look at human nature in the work place and provide a plan to take care of the needs of your boss over the company in order to secure your position and build your career. They say that although a lot of people have trouble with this idea, the best way to work is to go where the money is. They do provide a checklist of other important criteria to consider when selecting a job depending on your personal circumstances and where you are in your work life. They also maintain the best way to secure your career is to always be job seeking and to move frequently as opportunities unfold. There are formulas in the book to make all this happen. Although the authors talk about unemployment and health insurance from an American perspective the plan in the book works in Canada and elsewhere.

The authors make a strong rational argument for their career plan. If you are caught up or influenced by the old way of thinking that you have to dedicate your life to the company I agree with the authors that you will end up being fired and disappointed. In fact they make the point you are hired to be fired. Fired anytime there is a downturn in the economy, a change in corporate direction or ownership, or your division/department/product becomes outmoded. For many readers the book will cause their back to get up as the book blows away the old myths about employee and employer loyalty and gives an insightful hard line perspective of what is really happening in the workplace in the highly developed nations. It may be necessary to challenge and give up some of your old belief systems around work in order to live a fulfilled life.

I agree with the authors’ perspective and I recommend the book be read by all employees young and old. It is also a great primer for those about to graduate or newly entering or re-entering the workforce. I feel even entrepreneurs should consider reading the book. I think it will help them look at their business and ask themselves the question – Is this serving me in the manner in which I truly desire?

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