Horizon Point Consulting

Category: Job Search

Beyond Work is our line of resources for people and community leaders looking for something new and innovative, be it a new job, career change, or personal development outside of work. Read this category specifically for Job Search.

  • 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!

  • Interview Prep for Today’s Job Market

    Interview Prep for Today’s Job Market

    I’ve received several requests over the past few months in regard to preparing for an interview. Interviewing can be tricky. It varies from job to job and from employer to employer. Throw in a pandemic with virtual interviews and it gets even trickier!

    Just last week, I received a text from a wonderful client who was unsure of how well she did in a recent interview. She (jokingly) asked, “is there a class for interview anxiety?” If you don’t get anxious during an interview, please share your secret with the rest of us! On a side note, I’m sure she did amazing!

    Also last week, a colleague shared a few fabulous resources that are great for interview prep. One of the resources was specifically about what to do during the interview. Here are my favorite takeaways:

    • Ask the Right Questions: Come with prepared questions and ask questions during the interview. Ask informed, open-ended questions to show your interest in the company and position. (examples include: What is your vision for this department? What challenges do you expect in the next six months?) On a side note, don’t ask the wrong questions (avoid questions about vacation time, benefits, or salary).
    • Sell Your Skills: Match your skills to the skills sought by the company. You can usually determine this from the job posting’s “required and preferred skills” section. Share a concise description of your experience that matches the company’s needs.
    • Keep Responses to the Point: Be a good listener. Stay on track and be direct with your responses. Keep your answers to a two-minute maximum. To prepare/practice, try the S.T.A.R. prep tool. Check out The STAR Method: The Secret to Acing Your Next Job Interview to find out how to use the S.T.A.R method.

    If you are preparing for a virtual interview, check out 20 Video Interview Tips to Help You Dazzle the Hiring Manager and Get the Job.

    Stay tuned, maybe we will offer an interview class soon!

  • 3 Tips for Your Job Search During a Pandemic

    3 Tips for Your Job Search During a Pandemic

    Almost every event I’ve attended lately, I’ve had conversations with individuals or overheard discussions about furloughs, downsizing and layoffs. The job market is volatile, and more and more people are searching for new opportunities, and many of those people haven’t had to search for a job in a long time.

    My husband and I have had conversations about what we would do if one of us lost our job. It’s scary to think about. We agree that we would do whatever we needed to do to continue to support our family. Which leads me to my first tip:

    1. While searching for the next best opportunity, find a side hustle that will allow you to pay your bills during your search. Instacart shoppers make way more than you would think! Also, during your downtime, check out The Next Right Thing, a book about making life decisions.
    2. Network like it’s your job. Networking is something we do on a daily basis without even realizing it. During my career, the majority of my positions have been obtained through networking. Not sure how to get started? Check out this article from Balance Careers: How to Use Networking to Find a Job.
    3. Stay busy. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, I often help clients with gaps in their resume. The best way to avoid gaps in your resume (& questions about them in an interview) is to keep yourself busy while you are searching for your next job. Volunteering or continuing your education area great ways to avoid resume gaps. The Muse shared 5 Better Ways to Talk About the 5 Most Common Resume Gaps.

     

    Check out The Point Blog for more resources to help with your job search.

  • Secrets of the Job Search for Recent Graduates

    Secrets of the Job Search for Recent Graduates

    This time of year is always crazy busy with upcoming graduation and new beginnings for recent grads. Job search is on the top of their lists. I often get inquiries about resumes, cover letters & job search strategies in the spring. So, I thought a blog post addressing secrets for the job search would be timely.

    But first, I want to share a quick story. A couple of months ago, I worked with a client who was approaching college graduation. She was a treat to work with; she had a wonderful attitude, great education background as well as impressive internship and work experience, which made my job super easy. We focused on 3 things: resume, LinkedIn and catering both to the specific job she was interested in. Within a week of focusing on these 3 things, she had a job interview with her employer of choice, and within 2 weeks, she received a job offer.

    Obviously, it doesn’t always work that way. I’ve worked with several others who weren’t fortunate enough to quickly obtain their top job choice. If you are in that boat, here are 3 secrets for the job search:

    1. Networking. Network like it’s your job! Essentially, networking should be your job until you have one. College career centers are a great starting point and have a plethora of knowledge and tips. You should also focus on networking online – especially via LinkedIn. With the tight job market, employers are always searching for candidates (including passive ones) on LinkedIn. Check out: How to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile as a Recent College Grad to help you get started.

    2. Develop a master resume. You should always have a good master resume and work to cater your resume for each job you are applying for. Jobscan.co is a great tool for determining how close of a match you are to a job opening. Check out Can you really triple your interviews with Jobscan?  to find out more about Jobscan.

    3. Research your target companies. This is important in all stages of the job search including determining your ideal employer(s), preparing for an interview and preparing for your first day after landing the job. Glassdoor.com is a great tool to do this. You can even see an interview question from previous candidates.

    Are you ready for your job search? Read more job search articles from The Point Blog.

  • What does Culture have to do with a Job Fair?

    What does Culture have to do with a Job Fair?

    A friend of mine once shared with me a story of leaving a job to pursue one that seemed like a great opportunity. Soon after taking the new job, she discovered the culture was a nightmare. The company owner had terrible temper and was not necessarily following appropriate guidelines for the business they were in. Needless to say, it was not a culture fit for her and she moved on to find another job. When determining your next career move, culture should definitely be a considering factor.

    In the next few weeks, we will be talking about culture on The Point Blog. What do job fairs and culture have in common? More than you realize. Although it may be cliché to say it, but when you have an opportunity to interview or interact with a potential employer, you are sizing them up, just as they are you. Job fairs are one opportunity to determine culture fit.

    Here are a few do’s and don’ts to help prepare you for your next job fair (including factoring in culture fit):

    Do:

    • Research the company (including mission, values, products & services, available jobs and hiring managers). Check out company websites and hiring manager LinkedIn profiles to help you get started.
    • Bring copies of your resume.
    • Dress for success (and take a bath!)
    • Prepare an elevator pitch – Don’t have one? Check out Networking During the Holidays to help you develop one.
    • Ask questions – remember you’re not only there to find a job but to also determine culture fit.

    Don’t:

    • Bring your mom – unless she is applying too, leave parental units at home.
    • Forget to follow-up – that includes applying for the job you are interested in online and/or sending a thank you note when applicable.

    Read more of our culture related blogs here (& stay tuned for more blogs about culture!)