Book review
'The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You'll Ever Need' by Daniel H Pink
This book intrigued me from the moment I read the first lines on the back cover: “Meet Johnny Bunko. He’s probably a lot like you. He did what everybody – parents, teachers, counselors – told him to do. But now, stuck at a dead-end job, he’s begun to suspect that what he thought he knew...is just plain wrong.”
Throw in some magic chopsticks and a unique career counsellor, and you have 'The Adventures of Johnny Bunko' – the world’s first career guide in manga comic format!
It's offbeat and entertaining, but also conveys six very sensible tips for surviving – and thriving – in the world of work:
- There is no plan
Chance and change play important roles in career decisions. - Think strengths, not weaknesses
What do you do well? What gives you energy rather than draining it? - It's not about you
Focus your energy outwards, not inwards – think about teammates and colleagues, and the importance of working together. - Persistence trumps talent
There's a close relationship between persistence and performance. - Make excellent mistakes
It’s better to try and fail (and learn great lessons in the process), than to be too scared to attempt new things in the first place. - Leave an imprint
Think about your purpose. Ask yourself: Do I make a difference? Does my being here matter?
I enjoyed the quirkiness of this book's comic format, and the fact that you can read it in an hour – great for youth. But this book also delivers some really clear and down-to-earth career advice, both for young people entering the world of work, and for others who are struggling with their career journey. What more could you ask for?
Reviewed by Sarah McIndoe, Career Consultant, Career Services
