Employment Articles - Book Review: We Are All Self-Employed

"Cliff Hakim has eloquently defined the reality of today's working world. He has truly surpassed today's career mindset and has intelligently defined what all of us have felt for years."

A New Social Contract
Feeling unmotivated or unchallenged in your current job? Cliff Hakim's new book, "We Are All Self-Employed," will provide you with the inspiration and motivation you need to further your career and increase your job satisfaction. This book will enliven your spirit and give you new hope as you face the career path that lies ahead of you. An awakening yet somewhat daunting experience, Hakim's book forces you to realize responsibility for your own career and success, and then helps you to embrace this realization. It provides you with the tools to help uncover your talents and passions, and then apply them to your career goals. Most importantly, to make these changes possible, it implores you to shed old habits and beliefs and adopt a new social contract.

A New Freedom
The main idea behind the concepts in this book is reevaluation. Organizations, groups, and individuals alike are all being forced to reevaluate their role in an ever-changing world. Job security is no longer a reality, and company loyalty oftentimes gives employees a false sense of security. This is enforced by the fact that every one of us has either lost our job or knows someone who has. It has become apparent that we are living in a changed world, where no one but you is responsible for your career and job satisfaction. The idea that we are all self-employed is therefore a realistic and important truth. Hakim renders the process of adopting a self-employed attitude as not only feasible, but completely necessary in today's world. This evolution from an employed to a self-employed attitude can be very intimidating, but as Hakim illustrates so accurately, the benefits will far outweigh the initial struggle.

Empowering Workers
It is only when one understands and appreciates their own passions and skills and applies them that they are most satisfied. This is perhaps one of Hakim's most provocative points, to go beyond just surviving and to start succeeding through creativity and innovation. He encourages us to create meaningful work for the benefits it will bring to not only ourselves but others as well, as he states in his book, "Those who are asleep must awaken and do their part: first, to know themselves, and second, to add value to the world in some way - in their way - despite the obstacles."

When we join an organization, we bring to it our expertise and skills, and by knowing ourselves we are able to contribute more effectively. This is further supported by Hakim's concept of working with an organization instead of working for them. This is an empowering concept, that we are in fact providing a service for our company and customers alike. We perform these services because of a shared purpose and mutual respect, based on an understanding that everyone involved can benefit from the relationship.

Powerful Advice
This book is a fundamental tool for individuals of every age, career, and mindset. It guides you in not only managing yourself and leading your own career but also highlights the importance of appropriately leading others. Cliff Hakim has eloquently defined the reality of today's working world. He has truly surpassed today's career mindset and has intelligently defined what all of us have felt for years. You will walk away from this book with greater initiative and motivation. You will finally understand what it is you're supposed to do at your job to best promote yourself and your skills, and be freed from the everyday monotony of your job.
In addition, "We are All Self-Employed" is a surprisingly interesting and easy read, featuring a collection of inspiring vignettes that illustrate Hakim's points brilliantly. These real-life stories add validity to Hakim's points, drawing on each of his concepts in a way that allows the reader to relate and compare with their own career situation. Moreover, the interactive tools presented through tables, lists, and agendas, are well placed and practical and contribute greatly to the book's overall value.

Hakim's social contract, based on equality and respect, holds parallels with our mission at Salary.com. This is the focus of leveling the playing field between employees and employers, by empowering them through providing timely and accurate compensation information. Salary.com's service liberates workers as it allows them to better control their own career and promotion by knowing their worth in the marketplace.

- Caitlin Kneram, Salary.com Contributor