Book Review: A Career in your suitcase

For many expatriates and those of us supporting them this book has been a staple on the ‘must-read’ list ever since it’s first edition in 1998.  This is the 4^th edition, not just reprinted but fully revised and updated. 

In this edition original author and prolific expat writer, Jo Parfitt, has been joined by career development expert Colleen Reichrath-Smith in a re-branded version that will speak to many in situations of career transition. Expat partners, global migrants and those considering a portable career doing work they love will find this book invaluable.

The book is sub-titled ‘a practical guide to creating meaningful work… anywhere’ and practical it definitely is!  The book intersperses information with exercises and things-to-do. Icons guide the reader on the type of exercise and how long it will take to complete.  The last section of the book, My Career Passport, provides a place to transfer the learning outcomes from these practical excursions to a summary document tying it all together.   

The content of the book is well founded on career development principles and illustrates them beautifully thanks to the many examples from the authors during their own experiences of global career transitions and the experiences of many contributors from around the world.

I particularly appreciated the chapter on Networking that debunks negative perceptions and guides readers to build new relationships; and the section on Change and how to build resilience in the face of major changes. 

The practical nature of the book, along with the individual stories will speak to readers reviewing their career situations.  For those in Dubai, Port Moresby or Beijing wondering how they can regain a sense of career purpose and build a portable career this book is for you.   

If you want to find a career you can carry in your suitcase, you need the portable career-coach-in-a book provided by Jo Parfitt and Colleen Reichrath-Smith.  You can buy it here.

And for those who would like to learn from Colleen how to create your portable career, sign up for our webinar on Tuesday April 23^rd at 2:00pm Sydney time.