Archive for January, 2012
Thursday, January 19th, 2012
Outplacement Support has its roots at the end of the Second World War when returning American GIs were provided with support to help them find new jobs and integrate back into society.
From this starting point in the 1940s, there have been numerous milestones marking the growth and development of Outplacement Support primarily in the USA where the origins can be clearly traced and defined. However, it was in the 1960s before Corporations used this service to any great extent especially to move on senior managers and executives with the 1970s showing substantial growth in this unique service. As the years progressed, more and more companies offered this support primarily through their HR Division and it was during the 1980s that the needs of the company and latterly the employee which began to effect changes in the types of support provided. Over a period of time, various professional bodies were formed to provide regulation because by the 1990s, Outplacement Support was a standard part of the HR function.
As the need for this type of support reached a plateau in the USA around this time, the suppliers of Outplacement Support turned their attention to other countries, mainly in Europe. Like the USA, the major players initially dominated the market place but more and more smaller service providers such as The Career Management Organisation Ltd (TCMO),using a more personal service, began to make inroads. The end result being more competition, more choice, and more importantly, the tailoring of the service to the needs of the individual.
Outplacement Support has come a long way since its concept in the 1940s but statistics show that people looking for a new position find work twice as fast through TCMO compared to those with no support. History will show TCMO as Scotland’s most innovative Career Management and Outplacement Company offering career advice to all sectors from the shop floor to the board room, from graduates to chief executives. Success is a journey, not a destination. History is the past, become part of the future and start your interactive career journey now with TCMO.
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
Career Advice comes in many different ways. Advice on choosing a reputable Outplacement Company falls into the same category. So how can you be sure that the Outplacement Company you opt for will meet your needs and career aspirations ?
Before even comparing the companies in the market place, identify precisely what you require from the service provider. The ability of the organisation to meet your needs is the priority. Having identified your key needs, now compare and contrast what is available. Ask around to see if a friend or colleague has used the services of an outplacement company. Approach a professional organisation such as the CIPD for career advice and guidance.
Outplacement and Career Management are all about people. The quality of the coaches is of paramount importance. This is a people business unless you opt for an on line facility with no personal involvement. Determining how important this service is to you will quickly make you realise that personal face to face coaching is a number one priority.
Transparency of the process, content and fees is essential from day one. You must ensure that there are no hidden extras. A reputable Outplacement Company such as The Career Management Organisation Ltd (TCMO) will offer at least two free, no obligation consultations at the front end to explain in detail what is involved as well as inviting you to meet the coaches involved. Initial career advice should be free.
At the end of the process, you as the client, must receive value for money. You must be totally satisfied if not delighted by the outcome. This is where guarantees come into play. Some Outplacement Companies will offer a service over a period of time but not all clients will achieve their next move during that time. TCMO offer life time career support as part of their portfolio of services, an in built insurance policy in respect of your career.
So, what are the top questions you need to ask when selecting an Outplacement Company ?
1. Do they meet your needs ?
2. Are they transparent in respect of the process, content and fees?
3. Quality of their coaches – can you meet with them before commitment?
4. Are they members of a professional organisation such as the CIPD ?
5. What guarantees are offered ?
6. Are they innovative – compare their services to others.
7. Can you visit their offices to get a feel for the operation and see the set up.
Retaining an Outplacement Company represents an “investment in your career”
This is a golden opportunity to start on a journey to success in your career – unfortunately many people quit looking for a career when they find a job.
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
Being a mother is the most wonderful job a woman can ever have. Although stressful and demanding being responsible for your own little person, it’s a lifetime of joy and happiness watching them grow into a mature adult. According to the last annual report, the average cost of raising a child to the age of 21 is now over £200,000; that’s an average of over £9,500 per year which see’s most mums return to work within 12 months of giving birth.
As female Career Managers, we understand the emotional and political challenges you face when you return to work. We understand that Career Progression and Success shouldn’t be put to one side now you’re a mum which is why we provide Career Advice to return to work Mums every day.
Consider the following points as food for thought when seeking Career Advice:
Personal Budgets – what level of income do you need to support your family and regular outgoings? Knowing the bottom line figure will help dictate whether you can afford to return to work on a full or part time basis.
Childcare – Do you have a good support system in place from family and friends who can help care for your baby whilst you return to work or will you have to pay for childcare? This will help you decide the location and salary you are looking for.
Level of Responsibility – At what level should you pitch yourself at with your current or prospective employer? If you are returning to the same role you left before maternity leave, can your circumstances allow you the same flexibility?
These are just some of the points we discuss on a daily basis with individuals like you every day to map out their priorities and what they want to achieve from their Career. With the right Career Management strategy in place, you can take ownership of your Career and achieve the right work / life balance to suit you and your family. Get more Career Advice by visiting www.tcmo.co.uk or call 0800 009 3141, to find out how our experienced Career Managers can help you with professional and realistic career advice.
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
“I need a new computer!”; “I need to move house!” “I need a haircut!” “I need a holiday!!”
So many ‘needs’ – and in almost every case they are blindingly obvious: your computer will have ceased to function properly; your neighbours are annoying; you’ve just noticed yourself in the mirror; you have ceased to function properly. So why is it that so many people fail to recognise in themselves a need for Career Management?
As with so many ‘givens’ in life, we tend to manage those aspects which, traditionally, we know will come under the general heading of “Life Management”: managing your finances; managing your household; managing your children’s education. But when it comes to managing your career (career management), actually very few see this as something which is just as important as all the others. If not more so.
We tend to ‘muddle through’ and of course we all know those ‘lucky’ people who, when asked, will say that they have the best job in the world – “…and I’m actually being paid to do it!”. But how much of that is luck, and how much good judgement? The famous golfer, Gary Player, was once asked how much luck played a part in his success, to which he responded with the classic line: “Well I don’t know, but it seems the more I practice, the luckier I get.”
Very few people can say they have the best job in the world, but with help and guidance, they will almost certainly be able to improve their situation and achieve a role which is more satisfying, rewarding, and with better long-term prospects. And just as all the top sportsmen or women in the world (even Gary!) will have taken tuition and mentoring from the very best coaches to improve not only their skills, but their mental outlook, so those who genuinely wish to enhance their career should seek guidance from those who are professionally qualified to provide it. And do it well.
The question was simple: “How do I know I need it?” The answer is equally simple: unless you can say, honestly, that your career is following exactly the track you envisaged when you first started, that you really do enjoy your work, are being paid what you had originally hoped for and that your future prospects are excellent, then it stands to reason that you will benefit (possibly hugely) from career management, provided by the professionals at TCMO. We will always take a genuine interest in you as an individual and offer precisely the guidance to help you to make that very important career move.
So, like Gary Player, don’t depend on luck; take control of your game – and achieve!
Career Management just might be the right thing for you.
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
To many people the concept of Career Management is something of a mystery, or else they have only a rough idea of what it’s all about. If you were to ask a total stranger what they thought it was, you can guarantee that they would say: “Yes, it’s really just re-writing your CV and telling you who to approach and stuff like that.” Which is rather like saying the internet is “…just a sort of communications thing”.
The key word here is Management and, in every sense, management of an individual’s needs – not a ‘catch-all’ solution delivered by seminar (which, despite the quality of the presenter, will always leave specific questions in the mind of each participant). So whereas the contents of the CV will be pivotal in forming any career management programme, it is still only a fraction of what that whole programme will entail; there is much more to it than that.
Of course there are those who do provide a CV writing service, which, on its own, can be useful to someone who is looking for nothing further. However career management, as the name suggests , addresses the entire process of how you can enhance your career substantially, and thereby take control of your future. It’s a complete career enhancing package.
So what does it cover?
Career Management is available: to those in work who: want to improve their situation; who want to transfer their skills into another sector; or are even facing redundancy, and is a means to cover not only the (highly important) CV, but, through one-to-one consultation with professionals, will identify the key skills, experience and capabilities that will appeal to a prospective employer.
The skills of our professionals will not only identify opportunities within areas that, using your transferable skills, you had not even thought of, but also will show you how to get in front of the key people. And then how to make an impact.
Many people have an issue with interviews, and so interview briefing becomes an integral part of the management programme. Effective networking (not wine & cheese card-swapping soirees!) and telephone skills are all included, as are self-marketing, negotiation skills and strategy – and more; and so the whole becomes a comprehensive course of Career Management.
Career Management is meant for those who want more than a fancy CV; it’s for those who want to take control of their career – and move it forward.
TCMO provide exactly that. Contact us now and get your career management journey off to a great start
