After 59 Jobs, a Book for Working Girls (and Boys)

Seattlest loves a new book by local author (and illustrator) Karen Burns called The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl. She's had 59 jobs and offers practical career advice for working girls and boys alike. We especially liked the tips on how to interview, how to handle jobs (and job situations) that aren't particularly appealing, and--almost making us want to jump back into employment-searching mode--how to gracefully leave a job.

Burns ends her book with useful advice on how to write a 30-word (or so) mission statement to build purpose in life. Ahead of her book reading and signing at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park tomorrow, we caught up with her to ask some career-related questions.

In those magical 30 words, what's the mission statement of the book?

The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl says it's okay if your first (or even your tenth) job turns out not to be The One. You are allowed to start over. Provided, of course, you learn from each experience. (I just counted--that's 38 words. Sorry.)

You provide people with inspiration to better themselves. Why should someone who doesn't know you come to a bookstore full of strangers to attend your reading and signing?

Strangers can be nice! Also, there's the chance I will utter some pearl of wisdom that's NOT in the book. In fact, that's exactly what I'll do on Thursday night (when I reveal "the most important thing you need to know to get & keep a job"). Talk about value added. Ha. Also, of course, I will inscribe your book as per your wishes. And also--this is most important--there'll be a drawing for a "Working Girl Survive Your Job Kit." It's fab, if I do say so myself: A big pink basket containing a Working Girl book, wine, chocolate, coffee mug, journal, and teddy bear.

Your newest job, if you will, is reading your new book at stores. How do you like that job?

Meeting readers is hugely fun. I love seeing their faces. I love hearing their stories. Sometimes they even email me later with their reactions to the book. How cool is that. When you write a book you do it all alone in a room. When the book comes out and people read it--that closes the loop. That makes it "real."

What's the best job you never had?

Collaborating with my editor and designer at Running Press was so much fun that now I think I would have loved to work in publishing. What a great career that would be--to make books, glorious lovely books.

If you had control, what would you like your last job to be, and why?

Okay, that is a really weird question. I picture myself toiling away and then suddenly dropping in my tracks. Hmmm. How about: My Ideal Last Job would be the creation of something both beautiful and useful. Something that makes people feel better, that adds to the sum total of happiness in the world. It doesn't have to be a book; it could be a garden. Or a painting or a bridge. (Not that I could actually build a bridge.) Just something that has real value to others, and even--am hoping this doesn't sound too grandiose--to generations yet to come.

Thursday, May 7, 7:00 pm // Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park // free