When you graduate, you have all the theoretical knowledge but may lack practical skills that are gathered through experience. Why not give yourself a head start and read these books by business leaders who have gotten where they are today through trial and error? Learn from them and you may be able to apply some of your new knowledge throughout your internship or first job.

1. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

We are always telling our students the importance of networking and “it’s not what you know it’s who you know”. Networking is not a skill that comes naturally to a lot of people (learn steps to master networking here). If you are one of these people, this book is a must!

2. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg

This is a fantastic book for young women who are entering the workforce. If offers advice on how to succeed in your career and describes the business world as a “jungle gym” and not a ladder you need to climb.

3. Life After College: The Complete Guide to Getting What You Want by Jenny Blake

You’ve spent the past few years focusing on your study but now it’s time to go out into the real world. In this book, Jenny offers advice and gives you the tools you need to survive not only in the corporate world but also to handle money, home, organisation, friends and family, dating and relationships, health, fun and relaxation, and personal growth.

4. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, gave his lecture on “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams”, he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Though he didn’t know it at the time, what became his “last lecture” was far from being about dying. Instead, he stressed the importance of achieving childhood dreams, overcoming obstacles, and enabling others to do the same.

5. What Colour is your Parachute by Richard N Bolles

This book helps you to figure out what you’re best at, what you enjoy doing and how these two are often the same. It also provides tips for job-hunting in non-traditional ways.

I hope you find this list useful and wish you the very best of luck in your job hunt!

Our friendly placement consultants can offer you a helping hand when it comes to tips and advice for the world of work. Alongside reading they can prepare you for your interviews, placements and guide you through your first internship program. Contact the team today.