Customer Reviews

Where Have I Gone Right: The Right Mountain Guide to Getting the Job and Life You Want

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I picked up this book in the midst of my career search, and I am very glad I did. After completing the book, which was an easy read but contained meaningful lessons, I realized I needed to first take stock of myself. The book, "Where Have I Gone Right?" is a must read for anyone who is frustrated, confused, or on the edge of insanity during their job search. It is not an easy process, but with the help of this book you will start applying to the jobs that you are interested and passionate about. I highly reccomend this book at any point in a persons life, the lessons drawn out of its excercises are relevant to anybody, at any point in their lives

Unlike some of the giant career books on the market today, Hayhurst keeps this guidebook concise. For this reason, I think that job seekers might actually use the whole thing. The book's introductory section is designed to give readers confidence in the methods espoused by the book - and a commitment to putting its lessons to use. This is followed by the core of the book which is divided into two equal parts: "Who Am I?" (self-assessment) and "Getting the Job and Life You Want" (the job search).

For many career seekers and career changers, the job search section has plenty of information to get them on their way. Its brevity is a real asset - especially considering the fact that there is not a lot new to be said about preparing resumes, information interviewing, and so on. The real focus of this book (and Hayhurst's counselling) is on self-assessment. By giving the self-assessment section equal billing to the rest of the job search, rather than making it one of four or five components of the job search, he raises its importance in the readers' mind appropriately.

If readers really invest themselves in this "Who Am I?" section of the book, they will come away with not only a much better understanding of themselves, but also a much greater ability to describe and market themselves. By taking readers on an exploration of their accomplishments, Hayhurst sets the foundation for discovering their skills, interests, and - most importantly - their core values. His focus on core values is critical to the whole process.

A great defining aspect of this program is that the self-assessment process is only complete when it results in the development of a "reference point" and, ideally, a "personal allegory". In a nutshell, a reference point is a "core accomplishment" with the most personally defining elements. As the name implies, this reference point can act as a litmus test against which readers can evaluate new opportunities. A "personal allegory" is a tool that helps evoke a vivid image that not only helps describe an individual, but also makes them more memorable within their network of contacts - and of course with interviewers.

Like any good book in this field, it will be made only better by the support of a counsellor. However, this really is a workbook and a great, concise, and refreshing one at that.

I read Where Have I Gone Right? this weekend. It is simple, direct, positive and easy to read. Frankly, after
spending time working through Bolles's What Colour is Your Parachute?, I wish I had met this book first. Where Have I Gone Right? asks the essential question and demands the critical work be done first - determining who am I? Without actually having done the "gone right" process (I intend to do so)this work gets to point more effectively and adds important dimensions and communication strategies such as reference points and personal allegories -that separate and enhance what Bolles and others have done for job and life seekers. In a very few hours this book gave me the understanding and the positive tools to get accomplishments, skills, values, relationships into synch-- and to help tell my story in a more distinctive and powerful way.

If word of mouth can be a tipping point for a new career and
life change manual-- Where Have I Gone Right? has my word and I will spread it to anyone who needs or wants to hear.

After reading Jim Hayhurst Sr.'s first book, "The Right Mountain," I was eager to read his second book, "Where Have I Gone Right?"
This latest book is an insightful, and well thought out book. It is an easy read, and yet delivers strong, and important messages along the way. It has a structure that allows one to first learn about themselves, and then apply this new understanding to any aspect of ones life.
A great read for anyone.

Where Have I Gone Right is a great book. Jim Hayhurst's guide to discovering what career is best for you focusses on knowing who you are as a person. It provides a simple framework for introspection and reflection and then hints on how to decipher what is important in that relection. Ideally, after completeing the process, the reader should have; an inspired idea of who they are as a person (which they can use to successfully select career paths), and be able to articulate it in a clear and impactful delivery (which they can use to their advantage in the competition of getting the job).

The book is convincing in the importance of knowing who you are. Although the plan for introspection that Jim Hayhurst provides is simple to understand, he warns the reader that the process itself is not simple and requires discipline and effort.

Where Have I gone Right is full of personal anecdotes from Jim Hayhurst's own career journey and from his mission to Everest. They are humourous and inspiring.

The book is short and easy to read, allowing the reader to get down to work on figuring out who they are, thus which careers might be a good match for them. Speaking of which, this review is over.

Jim Hayhurst has identified and hit the motherlode of true career fit. Using memory and reflection as his tools of excavation he has illuminated the process by which any person can finally uncover/discover his or her own unique pattern of personal excellence and expression and then apply their knowledge to the discovery of the kinds of work that best engages that personal pattern. The satisfaction and elation that follows this congruence between one's work duties and the real life engagement of one's natural pattern is very real. Jim Hayhurst has made a vitally significant contribution to all of us who wonder about our place in the world of work.

Jim's book has helped me look at things so differently. He is a wonderful author, presentor and this is his best book so far.

Marti Smye

I found this book while looking for something else. (How does Amazon always know what I need to see?) I bought it, it came yesterday, and I read most of the book while waiting for my daughter at dance lessons. The author has a wonderful, soothing style and it's full of good, upbeat advice for people in "transition" as well as for people unhappy with their jobs, all 100 million of us. I have tended to blame myself for the crummy jobs I've had and now I will focus on my good points rather than the negative. Pretty simplistic stuff, I realize, but we need to hear this kind of information over and over. I know there are lots of career books out there, but this is one of the best I've seen.