Navigating Career Transition: There's no app for that
Featured in the September 2010 issue of the Chicago French American Chamber of Commerce's e-newsletter!
Innovation starts with learning about needs. The economic crisis of the last few years created a crucible in the career transition industry, which crystallized our perspective on what really matters. Millions of people were laid off and seeking new employment, at a time when few jobs were to be had. This saturation of the job search market required us to distill the career transition process down to its most essential elements: people need a job, and they need a support system to help them navigate to that new job. To innovate effectively, new technologies and processes in the career transition industry must be grounded in these needs.
The last several years have seen a number of inventive new tools reshape the tactics of a job search: there are job search engines to update you instantaneously on new positions that meet your criteria, and applications that use geo-location technology to show you exactly who’s hiring within walking distance of where you’re standing. Hiring managers and recruiters are on Twitter, and LinkedIn has you better connected with your network than ever. These technologies have, without a doubt, enabled us to be more creative and efficient in helping candidates to find a job. They don’t, however, substitute for the other critical need of those undergoing a transition in their careers: a strong support system.
Many of us have great support systems already in place in our lives – our best friends, family and spiritual or professional mentors are there to listen and offer advice when we need to get through a tough situation. But, in our experience, access to a support team that is knowledgeable and experienced in helping people through career transition is absolutely essential. Personal supporters may provide much needed empathy, but can they really help a candidate objectively assess his/her professional strengths? Figure out how to best position his resume on LinkedIn? Or help evaluate a job offer?
Career transition is a challenging time – both professionally and personally. Like most major life changes, it is a journey which requires pinpointing your direction, and identifying the steps needed to arrive successfully. As career transition coaches, we view ourselves as the navigator along that journey - helping each candidate to find the right next path, whether that means securing a job in a similar role in the same industry, or taking a fork in the road to explore an entirely new business venture. As navigators, we work to help the candidate stay on course, and to maintain their pace and progress by setting up timelines and milestones along the way. We also direct the candidate to others who can offer additional guidance, such as connecting with recruitment professionals or professional networks. Finally, we are there to offer feedback and advice to the candidate to help them find their way through the inevitable detours and obstacles.
The constantly-changing job search terrain requires that successful career transition coaching be introspective and interactive – not a training program. Coaches must be professionally certified, active listeners, experienced and expert at assessing candidates’ needs in order to effectively plot a path for each individual. The success of the process depends on the relationship the candidate forms with his/her assigned coach, and the members of the team assembled by that coach to support the candidate throughout their transition. Today, successful programs use technology to take the career transition process to the candidate.
Whether it be an office, a coffee shop, or the candidate’s own living room via webcam, we meet each individual where they’re at. Because if the last few years have reinforced anything, it is that successful career transition requires more than tools or even a map: you need a navigator to guide you on your journey – someone familiar with the terrain to provide expert support and advice specific to your unique needs, and to point you in the right direction when you get turned around.
Learn more about our Career Transition services here, or contact us at +1.800.323.0206 or info@bpigroupus.com.
Click here to learn more about BPI group's Career Transition Services.
Click here to learn more about Patricia Siderius, Managing Director, Career Transition Practice
