Job hunting in Bend isn’t quite like anywhere else. Here, people value work-life balance, community connections, and quality of life just as much as career growth. Whether you’re looking to land a remote role that lets you stay close to the mountains, or join one of Central Oregon’s growing industries, these five books can help you chart your path—and find meaningful work right here in Bend.
1. Find Your Dream Job by Mac Prichard
Why it’s great (and local):
Written by Portland-based career expert Mac Prichard, Find Your Dream Job is packed with advice that resonates in Oregon’s tight-knit professional circles. Mac’s approach focuses on building authentic relationships, telling your story, and finding purpose-driven work—values that mirror Bend’s collaborative, community-minded business scene.
Pro tip for Bend readers:
Use Prichard’s networking techniques to connect through local groups like EDCO (Economic Development for Central Oregon), or Bend Emerging Talent.
2. What Color Is Your Parachute? by Richard N. Bolles
Why it’s great:
This classic is still the best tool for figuring out what you truly want in a job—and how to find it. Bolles’ practical exercises help you identify your ideal work environment, whether that’s a startup in the Old Mill District, a nonprofit downtown, or a fully remote company based elsewhere.
Pro tip for Bend readers:
Use insights from this book to target roles in growing Bend sectors like outdoor products, healthcare, tech, and renewable energy.
3. Do This, Not That: Career Advice for All Ages and Stages by Jenny Foss
Why it’s great:
Jenny Foss—a Portland-based career coach and founder of JobJenny.com—delivers straight-talk guidance on how to stand out in every stage of your career. Her quick-hit “do this, not that” format makes it easy to digest real-world, modern advice about résumés, interviews, confidence, and mindset.
Pro tip for Bend readers:
Apply Foss’s actionable tips to your LinkedIn profile and personal brand, especially if you’re marketing yourself for remote roles while staying rooted in Central Oregon.
4. Breaking the Rules & Getting the Job by Angela Copeland
Why it’s great:
Copeland flips traditional job-search advice on its head. She challenges outdated norms—like waiting for postings or using canned résumés—and empowers job seekers to market themselves boldly and authentically. Her practical tips on personal branding and negotiation make this a must-read for modern professionals.
Pro tip for Bend readers:
In a smaller job market like Bend’s, creative self-promotion matters. Don’t be afraid to reach out directly to hiring managers or showcase your expertise at local networking events and meetups.
5. The 2-Hour Job Search by Steve Dalton
Why it’s great:
Dalton brings order to the often-overwhelming job hunt with a clear, structured system. His methods—like building a “LAMP list” of target employers—work especially well in Bend, where the job market is smaller but highly networked.
Pro tip for Bend readers:
Build your LAMP list around local employers such as St. Charles Health System, Hydro Flask, G5, and Lonza, plus smaller firms that may not post every opening online.
6. Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
Why it’s great:
This book helps you design a career (and life) that fits your values—something that Bend locals understand deeply. Using design-thinking principles, it encourages experimentation and curiosity rather than pressure to find a single “perfect” career path.
Pro tip for Bend readers:
Treat Bend’s vibrant community as your laboratory—volunteer with local nonprofits, try seasonal gigs, or explore remote and hybrid work to see what fits best with your Central Oregon lifestyle.
7. Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
Why it’s great:
Networking can feel transactional, but Ferrazzi reframes it as building genuine relationships—a concept that aligns perfectly with Bend’s down-to-earth, relationship-driven culture.
Pro tip for Bend readers:
Skip the big-city networking hustle and focus on authentic connections—grab coffee at Thump, attend Chamber mixers, or meet other professionals through Work-Collective.
8. Happen to Your Career by Scott Anthony Barlow
Why it’s great:
Barlow, a Pacific Northwest native, focuses on helping professionals design work around their strengths, values, and desired lifestyle. His book—and the accompanying podcast—are all about taking control of your career, rather than waiting for opportunities to appear.
Pro tip for Bend readers:
Barlow’s emphasis on intentional career design aligns perfectly with Central Oregon’s lifestyle-driven priorities. If you’ve ever said, “I moved here for the quality of life, now I need the right work to match,” this book is your guide.
9. The Idealist Guide to Nonprofit Careers by Meg Busse & Steven Joiner
Why it’s great:
From the team at Idealist.org, this guide is essential reading for anyone interested in mission-driven work. It covers everything from transitioning into the nonprofit sector to networking with purpose and aligning your values with your career path.
Pro tip for Bend readers:
Perfect for those drawn to Central Oregon’s robust nonprofit scene — think NeighborImpact, The Environmental Center, Bethlehem Inn, and Deschutes Land Trust — or for professionals seeking work that makes a local impact.
10. The AI-Savvy Job Seeker by Michelle Dumas
Why it’s great:
This brand-new guide demystifies how artificial intelligence shapes today’s hiring—from résumé-screening bots to AI-driven job boards. Dumas shows how to write résumés that pass algorithmic filters, use AI ethically, and even leverage ChatGPT to practice interviews or draft cover letters.
Pro tip for Bend readers:
As more Bend employers adopt AI-assisted hiring tools, understanding how to work with them—not against them—can give you a major edge.
Final Thought
In Bend, career success often looks a little different—it’s about finding work that fits your lifestyle, values, and community. These books offer practical tools and inspiration to help you navigate your next step, whether you’re chasing your dream job or simply looking for a better balance between work and mountain time.
