Includes bibliographical references (pages 429-436) and index.

Lena Dunham. Mindy Kaling. Zooey Deschanel. All girls of the moment,? all proof that girl culture has reached a veritable tipping point. But as? young women look to claim their girl territory, they need a guide more? than ever. Welcome, Melissa! Hailed as a veritable bible for post-college and premarital women (Newsday) and required reading for any woman with ambition (Susan Jane Gilman), The Girl's Guide --previously published as The Girl's Guide to Absolutely Everything --is the indispensable source of information for women striking out on their own, a colossal cheat sheet on everything from surviving a first real job to the delicate enterprise of defriending. In this fully updated and revised edition of her guidebook, now for a new group of readers, Melissa Kirsch navigates the most stressful and personal subject matter with the wit and humor of a recently been-there smart older sister. She is authoritative and compassionate, funny and approachable, lively and intelligent. In addition, she draws on the wisdom of sexperts, psychotherapists, a nutritionist, an internist, and a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The book covers everything a reader will need to know about everything: why you shouldn't wear peep-toe heels to a job interview or spray on your favorite perfume before a plane trip; how to clean up a Facebook faux pas, find an apartment, identify the dateable few from the psychotic masses, deal with overanxious parents, make quick money (hello TaskRabbit and Airbnb), and live a life that doesn't suck. The Girl's Guide is the book that shows the way forward for every young woman graduating from school and heading off to find her place in a big, exciting, uncertain world.