Horizon Point Consulting

Author: Taylor Simmons

  • The Proximity Principle – A Book Review

    The Proximity Principle – A Book Review

    The right people + The right places = Opportunities. – The Proximity Principle

    The Proximity Principle by Ken Coleman is a great book for job seekers or anyone not content in their current role. The theme of the book is getting “in proximity” to what you want – career-wise. Coleman shares his own personal experience with finding his dream job. Coleman notes: Everyone wants to do work that matters. The Proximity Principle is a guidebook to get you there!

    Amazon Overview:

    Right now, 70 percent of Americans aren’t passionate about their work and are desperately longing for meaning and purpose. They’re sick of “average” and know there’s something better out there, but they just don’t know how to reach it.

    Forget the traditional career advice you’ve heard! Networking, handing out business cards, and updating your online profile does nothing to set you apart from other candidates. Ken will show you how to be intentional and genuine about the connections you make with a fresh, unexpected take on resumes and the job interview process. You’ll discover the five people you should look for and the four best places to grow, learn, practice, and perform so you can step into the role you were created to fill.

    Here are a few of my favorite takeaways from the book:  

    • You must never stop learning, no matter how high you climb.
    • No one is sitting around thinking about how they can help you find your dream job.
    • To get in proximity to your dream job, you need to find professionals who are excelling at the work you’d love to do at the highest level.
    • You will experience the most growth when you surround yourself with talented people who challenge you to perform at a higher level.
    • Use the connections you already have to make new ones in the place you’d love to work.

    Be in proximity to what you want. Read The Proximity Principle to find out how!

  • Career Development as Performance Management

    Career Development as Performance Management

    I recently had the opportunity to work with a young man whose employer was doing things right. He was engaged and eager to advance within the company. The employer reached out to HPC for guidance in talent development. They saw his drive to succeed and wanted to capitalize on that drive to develop his career within their company, and performance management was their go-to tool. We facilitated assessments, discussed results and goals & used our Leaders as Career Agents tool to develop an Individual Development Plan.

    With research showing us that approximately 70 percent of the workforce is currently disengaged, developing leaders who can drive employee engagement in order to produce results is critical. At Horizon Point, we often work with companies who know firsthand that engaging and growing employees is the key to retention and overall company success.

    Here are three steps for implementing career development as performance management:

    1. Facilitate conversations around career goals.
    2. Collaboratively develop career advancement plans grounded in behaviors. 
    3. Provide projects and assignments that foster career advancement.

    When was the last time your employer discussed career development with you? Are you an employer who needs insight into the best way to engage employees through career development? Register for our upcoming webinar, 2021 Career Development as Performance Management, here. 

  • Benefits of Remote Work for Employees

    Benefits of Remote Work for Employees

    Ahh, remote work! Work as we know it will never be the same. At Horizon Point, remote work has always been part of our daily grind, so we definitely know the benefits. 

    Check out these Key Remote Work Statistics (as they relate to employees) from Small Biz Genius.

    • 40% of people feel the greatest benefit of remote work is the flexible schedule.
    • 76% of workers would be more willing to stay with their current employer if they could work flexible hours.
    • People who work remotely at least once a month are 24% more likely to be happy and productive.

     

    Read the entire list & article: The Ultimate List of Remote Work Statistics – 2021 Edition.

    My personal stats: I’m 99% more likely to get everything complete on my work to-do list if I have the flexibility to work from home or from wherever. I do occasionally miss former work besties, but we can always catch up over lunch!

    Here are a few of my favorite benefits of remote work:

    1. I’m present for my family. I love that I can help my kids with virtual assignments if they are schooling from home. 
    2. I can throw in a load of laundry or prep for dinner in between Zoom calls.
    3. I can wear comfy clothes while I plug away at whatever project is a priority for the week.

    Has your employer transitioned staff to remote work? Do you love it or hate it? Stay tuned for more insight on remote work from The Point Blog!

  • What does Pixar’s Soul have to do with your Job Search?

    What does Pixar’s Soul have to do with your Job Search?

    Over the Christmas break, my family and I watched Soul, a Disney Pixar film. It was an interesting little movie. But what does Pixar’s Soul have to do with your job search? 

    “Pixar’s “Soul” is about a jazz pianist who has a near-death experience and gets stuck in the afterlife, contemplating his choices and regretting the existence that he mostly took for granted.”  – RobertEbert.com (Check out the full review here: Soul Movie Review)

    In the movie, the main character, Joe, helps Number 22 find her spark! Other career buzz words like passion and flow were found throughout the show. 

    As I watched the movie, I immediately correlated what was happening to real life, specifically a job search. Just like 22, there are so many people who can’t find their spark & drift through their adult lives unfulfilled, feeling as though something is missing in their “work” life.

    So, what does Pixar’s Soul have to do with your job search? Here are three key takeaways:

    1. Explore different paths – take assessments, job shadow, conduct informational interviews, utilize websites like O*Net to find out more about careers.
    2. Enjoy life as you search for your spark. Don’t be so laser-focused on a job search that you don’t enjoy the other parts of life that make you happy! Spend time with family and friends, enjoy hobbies like biking or scrapbooking, listen to inspiring podcasts, or read books on your favorite topics.
    3. Don’t give up! Eventually, you will find just the right career fit. In the meantime, volunteer, work part-time jobs to try different career fields, or take classes that interest you.

    We offer career coaching packages at Horizon Point Consulting, Inc. If you could benefit from an assessment & coaching session to help with finding your spark, contact us!

  • Will your Current Resume Bypass an Applicant Tracking System?

    Will your Current Resume Bypass an Applicant Tracking System?

    Will your Current Resume Bypass an Applicant Tracking System?

    As most of you know, I am a Certified Professional Resume Writer. I do my best to stay abreast of current trends in resume writing. I recently viewed a webinar regarding developing a resume for today’s market. One hot topic discussed was Applicant Tracking Systems. Did you know 90% of resumes are going through some type of online Applicant Tracking System? Will your resume make it through an ATS?

    Here are 3 Tips to Develop an Applicant Tracking System friendly resume: 

    1. Use Key Words (include a Summary or Skills Section) – Check out JobScan.co; it’s a great tool!
    2. Use Simple Formatting (avoid columns and text boxes).
    3. Use common names for the headings (Professional Experience, Education, Skills, etc.).

    Resume Writing Academy offers free resources on their website! Check out this site for more tips on current resume trends.

    If you are a career development professional, check out our continuing education courses! We have a resume writing basics course beginning in early 2021. Here is a link to register: https://horizonpointconsulting.com/continued-education/.

    Check back often as we continue to post more course offerings.