A change to one’s employment status is stressful, and if it is not something you chose, then apart from the financial implications, job loss may involve feelings of loss of identity and erosion of self-confidence.
Job loss may well lead to feelings of grief, anger, denial, frustration; that said some people may feel relieved, perhaps excited by the new opportunities ahead. We all react differently but it is worth bearing in mind that feelings change over time. Stress is a natural reaction but must be managed so it doesn’t take over. Anxiety and stress, if allowed to get out of control, will have a detrimental effect on the job search process.
And while redundancy is not necessarily all bad news it affords leavers an opportunity to explore the available options and work on what they really want from their career path, something they were probably unable to concentrate on when working full-time.
The impact of change
Outplacement helps the displaced employee to approach the jobs market, armed with advice on networking and presentation at interview and may include assistance with negotiating job offers and securing references.
Responsible employers provide outplacement programmes to help redundant staff deal with the impact of change whether in connection with career direction, job loss or retirement. Organisations have long realised the positive effect and business benefits that can be achieved with the provision of outplacement support to employees who are affected by a redundancy programme.
The modern approach to outplacement provides a range of tools to suit the different needs of individuals. Rather than an emphasis which used to concentrate on the CV and job-hunting, career transition services now focus on understanding what an employee wants and helping them develop the self-marketing skills that ensure they are well positioned in a competitive job market.
A good package will help the client to deal with change by using tools to evaluate skills, knowledge and achievements, alongside considering values, aspirations and commitments to translate all this data into realistic options. A structured, supported approach will help the client conduct an effective job search campaign or career path evaluation.
Positioning for success
Nobody is solely defined by their job. An outplacement programme is a worthwhile investment in dealing with the transition, there’s a lot to cope with and the assistance of flexible and personalised guidance and support from an experienced coach can make all the difference in dealing with the practical, financial and emotional consequences of job loss.
A robust redundancy package provides a cushion to help ex-employees find their feet quickly. A high-touch, tailored programme of transition support will help leavers identify a wide range of opportunities and find roles that resonate with their values and aspirations. At 10Eighty we believe that career transition services should not focus solely on landing the next role but on positioning the individual, with tangible, practical support and advice, for the career path they choose to follow.
While finding a new role may be a priority, it’s important to take stock and review the options, with a proactive strategy to target the right role.
An outplacement programme won’t find a new role for the client but will help them position themselves in the job market, bolstering motivation and confidence throughout the process. Outplacement enables the transition to a new employer as efficiently and effectively as possible, in the fastest possible time-frame. Outplacement services are designed to provide the necessary support to frame a new career pathway with the design and implementation of an action plan, to provide support in mapping out milestones and goals.
The value of such a guided approach to career transition is that as well as helping a client to focus on the most appropriate next role they will see long-term benefits in terms of improved self-awareness and career management skills.
10Eighty is a leading outplacement and career transition provider. If you would like to understand how we can help you, please call 0207 947 4130 or email us on info@10Eighty.co.uk
