GHOST RULES

A guide offers advice to help readers take control of their careers.

Advanced degrees and technical skills are often touted as the keys to professional success. But, as Oldford explains, reliance on the wrong types of achievements can cost readers time and money on the road to promotions. Meanwhile, the real secrets to accelerating a career are often the unspoken benchmarks against which performance is measured. Referring to these tenets as “Ghost Rules,” the author reveals the hidden path to success in a concise and insightful guide. Covering an assortment of relevant professional topics, Oldford provides wisdom for maximizing workplace visibility, receiving appropriate credit for achievements, managing time effectively, and developing a signature brand. Based on the author’s own experiences, the book is thoroughly practical and occasionally unexpected. Challenging readers to think carefully about the purported benefits of remote work, company hopping, and advanced degrees, he advises professionals to examine the specific benefits of their choices before blindly following trends. And while some of his advice—such as the importance of punctuality—may seem obvious, the author’s recommendations should yield results if consistently applied. Offering a sharp contrast to complex and theoretical business guides, Oldford’s manual is easy to read and ready for immediate application. Designed to be broadly relevant for all stages of the workforce journey, the book intersperses suggestions for day-to-day success with tips for mapping out a professional future, recognizing a stalled career, and determining if it’s really necessary to find a different company to join. Moreover, the author presents step-by-step instructions on the creation of a “Career Management Document,” daily stakeholder reports, “Career Accomplishment Worksheets,” and other materials that will give readers a competitive edge. A useful companion to other professional resources and worthy of successive readings, Oldford’s guide provides readers with a tool that will help them achieve their career dreams.

From interns to CEOs, this sage manual will improve professionals’ communication skills, confidence, and careers.