Why Provide Career Assistance? Downsizing/Reorganisations Almost every organisation nowadays finds itself in situations where due to internal reorganisations, mergers, acquisitions or cost reduction initiatives that there is a requirement to reduce staff numbers. This often means letting go of staff who have had long service but no longer have the appropriate skills for today's business challenges. For the individuals concerned whether they are at board level or lower down the hierarchy, the personal trauma experienced is equally dramatic. The side-effects which redundancy exercises have on the staff who are staying can be equally unsettling. In addition to concern for their colleagues who are leaving they wonder - will it be my turn next and how will I be treated? Enlightened employers usually seek to provide support for staff who are leaving by offering career coaching support (sometimes known as outplacement) on an individual or a group basis. The knock-on effect of this on staff who remain is to put the company in a good light and to ease their concerns for their colleagues. There is a hidden message too, which is, should the worst happen to them in the future, then they will probably receive similar support and guidance. For an employee facing redundancy (or sometimes it is the square peg in the round hole syndrome) this is often the first time that the individual has ever spent time reviewing his/her career direction. To assist with the job search process, King Associates can offer a choice of Job Search programmes. Individual Job Search Programmes Often, but not necessarily, these programmes are provided for individuals operating at senior management or board level. After the introductory meeting, each following session is structured to meet an individual's personal requirements. For example, one client needed to produce two business plans for prospective employers to project the fee income he felt he could generate. We worked on the plans together and he was offered both jobs, one of which he accepted. Another person was interested in business start-ups and another in franchising. A further client was keen to improve his interview techniques. He found the mock interview and subsequent video playback together with one to one coaching an invaluable experience. Whenever possible, coaching sessions take place away from the distractions of the workplace, the aim being for the client to receive undivided attention and to be able to relax and concentrate. Between sessions, telephone support is provided. Much attention is given to producing a concise, achievement oriented CV which then becomes the client's marketing document. Alternatively, the person may wish to concentrate on running a business or on other career or retirement options. The sessions are customised to meet the client's personal needs. What Does an Individual Programme Cost? The basic programme consists of 15 customised career coaching sessions for £3,000 + VAT. Fifty percent of the cost of the basic programme is payable on commencement of the programme, with the remaining 50% due after one month or on completion of the programme if earlier. In the event that additional coaching hours are required, these can be provided based pro-rata on our normal Consultancy Fee rate of £1,400 per day (£200 per hour). Comments from some Individual Evaluation Forms What aspects of the programme did you find most valuable? "Discussing what went wrong in my previous job, finding out what type of environment and features of a new job I should be seeking, changes to my c.v". "Revaluation of personal characteristics". "Production of modern c.v." Do you now feel you have a better understanding of your skills and achievements than before the programme? "Definitely a greater awareness of my skills and achievements". "Yes - the programme put it all into perspective, something I had lost sight of". "Yes, the interviews brought forward aspects of my career which previously I would have overlooked". "Most certainly, yes". Do you have a better understanding now of what you want to do in the future and how to go about it? "I always knew that a job/career was important to me, I still need to find my 'niche' and I think the programme has ordered these priorities for me". "Not what I want to do, but when that is decided I certainly know how to go about it". Do you feel more confident to undertake the job search process than you did before? "Yes, the Job Search Book with regard to producing letters was most valuable". "Yes, I feel there are more possibilities". "Definitely, yes". Did you get what you wanted and expected from the sessions? "Yes, particularly in regard to setting out to obtain new employment after a long spell with one employer". Would you recommend this programme for colleagues in a similar position? "Yes, the help from Gill King was most valuable, and I have acknowledged this in a letter to her". Do you have any further comments to add? "I very much enjoyed the sessions and for me it was encouraging just to discuss what had come before and to realise why it had, and that it was only a 'blip' in the long run. I feel as though I am able to start with a clean slate". "One to one coaching enabled me to make the quickest possible progress through the syllabus". Job Search Seminars Sometimes employers prefer to offer group sessions for employees who are facing redundancy or have lost their jobs. Job Search Seminars can either be organised in-house - if you have suitable accommodation or off-site in an hotel or other venue if more appropriate or convenient. (It is perhaps worth noting that some delegates have commented that they were unhappy about going back into their previous work environment when they no longer belonged there.) Job Search Seminars last for three days and are very intensive and highly participative. To enable individuals to receive 'one to one' attention for the preparation of CVs and video interview practice, group sizes are limited to a maximum of six participants. The Programme includes the following highlights and there is homework too Letting Off Steam (sharing feelings and getting rid of negative emotions) Dealing with the Redundancy Issue Questionnaire for familiarisation with job market and job search process Drafting individual CVs based on achievements at work Strengths and Weaknesses Career Anchors Exercise Methods of Marketing Yourself Researching the job market Writing Letters and Reference Letters Video on Interviews Networking Practising "Tell Me About Yourself" Preparing for Interview Individual role play interviews on video Playing back individual videos to the group to review and share learning points Each delegate receives a personal copy of a book on job search methods and a course manual. A full range of handouts and materials are distributed at various stages during the seminar. We also handle all the pre-course joining instructions. At the end of a Seminar, each delegate will have produced an effective and personalised CV which they can immediately start using. Follow Up Support After each Seminar, telephone support is made available to deal with concerns and queries that delegates may have when applying for jobs, also advice on negotiating and handling job offers. After six months, a follow-up questionnaire is issued and further help is sometimes requested at this stage. This is provided at no extra charge to you the sponsoring employer. With the delegate's permission, copies of these follow-up forms are sent to you for feedback. Comments from some Evaluation Forms at the end of the Job Search Seminars What aspects of the programme did you find most valuable? "Having the support and Consultant's expertise to reassess my career/skills/cv and approach towards interviews". "Rebuilding my confidence and self-esteem which took a major dive following my redundancy". "Handling the 'Tell Me About Yourself' question". "Updating my cv, refreshing my interview and job-hunting skills and discussing my career prospects". "Self-assessment and video role play for interviewing". General Comments "Gill was marvellous as a counsellor/advisor. I would say it has been one of the most enjoyable programmes I have attended". "By attending the programme, I gained my confidence back after feeling the loss of the job". "The course was excellent and I feel that it will help me to find a good job". "Found the course extremely helpful. Tutor put over her knowledge and extensive experience brilliantly. Had complete confidence in the tutoring". FEES : 3 day Job Search Seminars (maximum 6 attendees) £6,000 + VAT including documentation, joining instructions, follow-ups, (excluding any venue or accommodation costs, cost of lunches & refreshments). Assisting individuals to maximise their skills and job opportunities.