Outplacement
How can we help organisations make redundancies but remain an employer of choice?
Redundancy is a career transition that many of us face, sometimes positively. Organisations seek to enable their staff to leave with a "healthy goodbye" by using Second Careers to provide outplacement coaching.
We offer flexible programmes depending on the support the client needs, usually of three to six months duration. What makes us different from the larger providers is our personal approach, with ongoing support from a single coach throughout the programme. We work with individuals to deliver the solution they want, rather than try to slot them into a structured programme that may not suit their individual needs. In between meetings we offer telephone/email support as needed - reviewing CVs, role-playing interviews, we have even helped to negotiate job offers!
All programmes will involve career management advice (CV writing, interviewing preparation, perhaps some assertiveness training, help on writing job applications, dealing with head-hunters, networking, information gathering skills, using job-boards, social networking sites, etc etc). We find the greatest need is often right at the beginning — getting individuals to be clear on what they can offer a new employer and what they want to focus on in their next career step. It is so vital to be clear on why you are better and different from other job seekers. Taking time at this stage can save months of fruitless job hunting. Our more senior clients are encouraged (sometimes forcefully) to discard some irrelevant information on their CVs. Some of our less confident clients work with us to find achievements they can be proud of. In all cases, our aim is to ease your staff through this transition so that they can approach the job market positively and as "good leavers" of your business.
"So given all that, I just wanted to say an enormous thank you. Without your support and encouragement I would never have gone for the job at the London Development Agency in the first place. Your advice on structuring my CV and your uncanny ability to make me answer my own questions was invaluable, as were your recommendations of the approach to take and questions to ask in the interview. So once again, many thanks for helping me take the next step on my career." — Rachael Knowland
"Before meeting Zena I had been approached by quite a few career advice consultancies. I met with two, both who went straight for the hard sell and exactly which package I wanted to buy. They had no soul or personality; I didn't feel enthused or any desire to enlist their services. Zena is a breath of fresh air and heads above the corporate giants in her sector. She really cares about your needs, the direction you would like to go in and helps you find the path to do so. At no time do you get the feeling that it's about her making a living; it's all about her prompting discussion and actions to help you decide how you want to live and what you want to achieve in life. Zena is practical, focussed and a great motivator who will provide you with the optimism and tenacity that is often required when seeking a career change or career guidance. I would highly recommend her if you want to deal with someone who will do their utmost for you at a time when you really need some help and support." — Sharn Orchard, Operations Director