To log in or sign up to CareerOS, select your user type first
As a career services professional, you know the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices to help your students succeed. But how do you continually improve your own skills to be the best guide for them? One way is by reading and learning from the experts who’ve been shaping careers and industries for years. In this post, we’ve curated a list of 24 must-read books for career services professionals. These books cover everything from resume building to leadership, networking, and finding your “why.”
Here are some of the best reads to guide you on your career services journey—and help your students on theirs.
In this groundbreaking book, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman encourages readers to treat their careers like start-ups. He presents a compelling argument that the skills of entrepreneurship—building networks, finding your niche, and adapting to change—are essential for students navigating their job search and long-term career development.
This book is perfect for advising students who feel uncertain about their path or are hesitant to take career risks. The idea of seeing yourself as a startup will inspire your students to embrace challenges and drive their personal growth.
In today's world of specialized knowledge, this book makes the case for generalism over narrow specialization. Epstein argues that diverse interests and experiences lead to better problem-solving and creativity, qualities highly sought after in today's ever-changing job market.
This book is great for students exploring multiple career paths or thinking about how their diverse skills and interests can be integrated into a rewarding career.
"The Third Door" is the inspiring story of a young man who embarked on a journey to interview some of the world's most successful people, learning about their paths to success.
Banayan's storytelling is engaging and packed with practical career advice for anyone looking to get ahead. This is a great read for students interested in entrepreneurial thinking and non-traditional paths to success.
Radical Candor teaches the art of providing feedback that is both kind and clear. This is an essential read for career advisors, as it provides valuable communication techniques to help students navigate tough conversations about their careers, resumes, and job interviews.
Scott’s philosophy encourages authentic and direct communication—a critical skill in a world of increasing workplace transparency.
Newport’s argument against the "follow your passion" narrative is a game-changer. He argues that developing rare and valuable skills is the true path to a fulfilling career. For students unsure about how to leverage their skills, this book shows them how focusing on expertise and honing their craft will lead to career success.
It’s a must-read for career advisors helping students find sustainable career paths in today’s competitive job market.
This book provides actionable steps to help students design a life and career that feels meaningful and fulfilling. It’s based on the popular course at Stanford University and is packed with practical tools to help students make confident, intentional decisions about their future.
With guided exercises on brainstorming and problem-solving, "Designing Your Life" gives students the framework to explore all their options.
This book focuses on job search efficiency. Dalton’s practical, time-saving techniques give students clear instructions on how to improve their resumes, interviews, and job negotiations.
This is an ideal resource for career services teams looking for easy-to-follow tools to help students land their dream jobs faster and with less stress.
Clear’s approach to building small, effective habits that compound over time is a transformative read for students struggling with procrastination or consistency.
This book focuses on making tiny adjustments that can lead to big career outcomes. It’s great for students who need help creating sustainable routines that support their job search, networking, and professional development.
In a world that constantly demands more, "Essentialism" teaches students how to focus on what truly matters. This book emphasizes the importance of eliminating distractions and doing fewer things, but doing them better.
It’s ideal for students feeling overwhelmed by too many options or who struggle to prioritize their career goals.
For students looking to break into the world of technology or entrepreneurship, this book is a must-read. Christensen explores why successful companies can fail and how disruptive innovation happens.
It’s a great resource for career services advisors working with students who want to understand how industries evolve and how they can position themselves in emerging sectors.
Written by the co-founders of The Muse, this guide is packed with advice on how to navigate the modern job search, build a personal brand, and network effectively.
It’s an excellent resource for students, particularly those early in their career journey, looking for practical strategies to break into their desired field.
Angela Duckworth’s exploration of "grit" is a must-read for any student working toward a difficult goal. Duckworth explains that success is not about talent, but about passion and perseverance in the face of obstacles.
This book can help career services professionals motivate students to keep pushing forward, especially during challenging job searches.
Sinek’s book is an inspiring exploration of how the most successful people and companies are driven by a clear sense of purpose.
For students exploring different career paths, this book helps them understand why finding their "why" is so important. It’s a great tool for helping students reflect on what truly matters to them in their careers.
Collins examines why some companies make the leap from good to great, offering valuable insights into leadership, strategy, and company culture. This book is useful for students thinking about their role in an organization and how to stand out in a company.
It’s a great resource for helping students understand the importance of leadership and collaboration in their career progression.
This book teaches students how to navigate difficult conversations—whether it’s negotiating a salary, asking for feedback, or discussing sensitive topics at work. For career services teams, it provides practical tools for guiding students through high-stakes conversations that are often a part of the job search process.
Brown’s insights into leadership, vulnerability, and courage will help students develop the skills they need to excel in leadership roles. Whether they’re leading a team or just starting their career, this book is essential for helping them embrace vulnerability and take on leadership challenges with confidence.
This book offers a powerful look at how introverts can succeed in the workplace. It’s essential for students who identify as introverts and might feel overlooked in extroverted work environments.
Cain’s insights can help career services professionals guide introverted students toward opportunities where they can thrive.
Robbins’ simple but effective tool for overcoming procrastination can help students who are struggling with confidence or taking action in their job search. This book is perfect for students who need a nudge to stop overthinking and take decisive steps toward their career goals.
Networking is often the key to success, and Ferrazzi’s book is an essential guide on building genuine relationships that lead to career opportunities.
This book is great for students who are intimidated by networking or unsure how to create valuable, authentic professional relationships.
In this book, the former head of HR at Google shares lessons on building a great company culture and how to attract the best talent. It’s useful for students interested in HR, leadership, and building strong workplace cultures.
A comprehensive guide to managing your career in today’s competitive job market, this book covers everything from self-assessment to job search strategies and leadership skills.
Career services teams can use this as a guide to help students strategize for their future.
This book teaches students how to reframe their thinking and embrace new opportunities. It’s an inspiring read for anyone looking to unlock their potential and shift their mindset toward growth and possibility.
While not directly related to careers, this book offers valuable lessons on decluttering and simplifying your life, which can be a powerful lesson for students who are overwhelmed by too many choices in their career journey.
Pink explores the psychology behind motivation and why intrinsic motivation is more powerful than external rewards. This book is perfect for career advisors looking to inspire students to find internal drive and passion for their chosen career paths.
These 24 books will not only help career services professionals become better guides for their students but will also empower students to make informed decisions about their career paths. Add them to your reading list and start empowering students with the knowledge they need to succeed!
.svg)
© 2025 CareerOS. All rights reserved
.png)
