“What Color Is Your Parachute” comes to iPhone

The year’s end is a time for rebirth. A lot of people take this time to consider their lives and careers, to take stock of the important things. Are they happy doing what they do? Are they fulfilled in life? Why, oh why, can’t that miserable boss get his own coffee? Important questions, all of them.

Often these reflections result in big changes, and one book that’s been helping to usher people into new phases of their lives is “What Color Is Your Parachute?” It’s a classic work that has helped many a career seeker find professional fulfillment, and now it’s been retooled as an iPhone app. The program is positioned as a job-interview tool to help people succeed in job interviews and land that perfect gig.

The app features interview techniques and includes tips from the popular book, including:

The best ways to prepare for a job interview
What to bring, and how to make a great first impression
Five core interview questions at the heart of what every employer wants to know—as well as five questions to ask
The best ways to display transferable skills
Ten top mistakes to avoid
Plus effective ways to follow up and win the job

It even offers audio, so job hunters can listen to those wise words on the way to the interview. That’s actually perfect: Nothing like some guidance before going in and facing the dreaded “Can you explain this inconsistency in your resume?” and other fun questions. It’s like a pep talk in your pocket.

I’m happy in my gig now, but once upon a time, I would’ve killed to have help like this and on the go, no less! The fact that it’s free is even better. I think what I dig the most is the fact that this is practical advice, not full of corny platitudes like, “If you know that you’re talented and have something unique to offer, they’ll know it too!” Lame! This is the real world, so let’s be real.