Useful book just out for education leavers by occupational psychologist Cathy Brown called Testing the Water – Helping You Take Your First Steps From Education to Work . It’s particularly good on employability skills and being work ready. It also explores the often tricky transition time between leaving Uni and gaining your ideal job.

Hear what others say: The Testing the Water Career Guide is an excellent resource. I would certainly recommend this to anyone making the transition from education to employment. –Katharine Edwards, Manager, BBC Careerlink

This is a practical and highly accessible guide, designed for those taking their first steps into the world of work, which prompts them to take time to think and to explore the options which will be right for them. Particularly valuable in today’s highly competitive employment market, it addresses the need of both young people and UK businesses to improve employability and promote work readiness. –Claire Payton, Group Senior Talent Specialist, Co-operative Group

Cathy has once again produced a practical and wholly accessible guide that will actually make a difference to those who use it. Testing the Water provides guidance during a transition period for students in to professional workaday world. Many guides exist for students, for employees, for careers. However, Cathy Brown’s work addresses that transitional time, which is the most challenging for everyone. Much of the information contained in the career guide will surely serve even beyond. –Justin C. Donne, Programme Executive, The Prince’s Trust