Job Therapy - by Tessa West (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A psychologist's guide to finding your most fulfilling job yet When we're unhappy in our jobs, we often attribute our frustration to a bad manager, boring tasks, and stressful workloads. But our dissatisfaction at work usually stems from a deeper psychological need that's not being met at work, like not getting the recognition you deserve. In Job Therapy, Dr. Tessa West helps you figure out the real reason you're unhappy and shows you how to find a new position in which you'll thrive, whether in a different role, company, or new industry altogether. Through her research interviewing thousands of people who have recently switched jobs or undergone career changes, she found there are five common sources of career frustration: having an identity crisis - does your sense of self no longer match your job? you've drifted-apart - do you no longer recognize the job you once loved? you're torn between places - are you taking on too many roles at work, switching tasks too often, or stuck between two paths? you're the runner up - do you always feel like you keep coming in second? you're the underappreciated star - are you crushing it at work, but the people around you aren't recognizing your performance? Dr. West will guide you through a working week audit to help identify your unique psychological stressors and use that knowledge to understand what you want your future career to look like. Presenting cutting-edge insights on networking and hiring, from Dr. West's interviews with over 1,500 professional recruiters, Job Therapy will help you land your best role yet - one that guarantees happiness for years to come. AMERICA IN CAREER CRISIS: Voluntary resignations are at an all-time high, 40-60% of people globally are looking to leave their current jobs, and just 35% of people who quit in the last two years stuck to something familiar. Millions of Americans are looking for guidance on how to pivot to a new job or industry that is more aligned with their values, passions, and purpose, and this book will be a go-to guide to navigate them through the storm. FIRST BOOK ON THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CAREER CHANGE: Most career books focus on the how of career change, but this book will focus on the why first. In one survey of 15,000 new job holders, more than a quarter regretted taking new jobs and wished they could go back to their old job. Focusing on why people want to leave helps them make happier moves that stick. CUTTING-EDGE DATA ON HIRING: Along with deep questions, reflective exercises, and relatable stories, this book takes a data-based approach, arming the reader with insider hiring tips and cutting-edge social science from the author's partnerships with 1,500 hirers at LinkedIn, McKinsey, Recruiter, and yougov.com to ensure readers have the best chance of landing the job"--

Book Synopsis

A psychologist's guide to finding your most fulfilling job yet

When we're unhappy in our jobs, we often attribute our frustration to a bad manager, boring tasks, and stressful workloads. But our dissatisfaction at work usually stems from a deeper psychological need that's not being met at work, like not getting the recognition you deserve.

In Job Therapy, Dr. Tessa West helps you figure out the real reason you're unhappy and shows you how to find a new position in which you'll thrive, whether in a different role, company, or new industry altogether. Through her research interviewing thousands of people who have recently switched jobs or undergone career changes, she found there are five common sources of career frustration:

• having an identity crisis - does your sense of self no longer match your job?
• you've drifted-apart - do you no longer recognize the job you once loved?
• you're torn between places - are you taking on too many roles at work, switching tasks too often, or stuck between two paths?
• you're the runner up - do you always feel like you keep coming in second?
• you're the underappreciated star - are you crushing it at work, but the people around you aren't recognizing your performance?

Dr. West will guide you through a working week audit to help identify your unique psychological stressors and use that knowledge to understand what you want your future career to look like. Presenting cutting-edge insights on networking and hiring, from Dr. West's interviews with over 1,500 professional recruiters, Job Therapy will help you land your best role yet - one that guarantees happiness for years to come.

Review Quotes

"This is not just a book, it's a career lifeline for those looking to find--or reignite--the passion that fuels their professional lives."
--Charles Duhigg, bestselling author of Supercommunicators and The Power of Habit

"Work can help you recover from trauma--or it can cause trauma. Which is your job doing? Job Therapy can help you to figure it out and make a plan for a brighter future."
--Kim Scott, New York Times bestselling author of Radical Candor

"In Job Therapy, Tessa West, one of psychological science's brightest stars, brilliantly diagnoses the common work issues we face and provides actionable solutions to address them."
--Ethan Kross, international bestselling author of Chatter

"Job Therapy is a valuable tool. It's a must-read for anyone feeling dissatisfied with their job and wondering what they should do next."
--Nir Eyal, bestselling author of Indistractable and Hooked

"Like a good therapy session, Job Therapy will help you understand why you're unhappy in your job. If you want to find work that excites and fulfils you, this incisive book is your holy grail!"
--Vanessa Van Edwards, bestselling author of Cues and Captivate

"A powerful, science-packed tool for increasing happiness at work."
--Jonah Berger, Wharton professor, bestselling author of Contagious and The Catalyst

"Job Therapy is the consummate manual for mending less-than-ideal jobs, and Tessa West is a superb guide. Highly recommended!"
--Adam Alter, New York Times bestselling author of Anatomy of a Breakthrough and Irresistible

"This empowering, science-backed handbook will help you better understand your relationship with your job and how to improve it."
--Katy Milkman, national bestselling author of How to Change

About the Author

Dr. Tessa West is Professor of Psychology at New York University, where she is a leading expert on the science of social relationships. Her academic research and writing for the media focuses on how to improve communication between employees, bosses, and hiring professionals across workplace settings. She has over 100 academic publications and is a regular contributor to the Wall Street Journal. Her work has been covered by Scientific American, the New York Times, Financial Times, The Guardian, CNN, CNBC, ABC World News, TIME, Bloomberg, HBR, Fast Company, and the US Supreme Court. Her first book, Jerks at Work, was published to rave reviews.