Career change at 40 – how long does it take a mature worker, retrenched from your organisation, to find another job – and is it the job they really wanted? Why are some people “luckier” than others and seem to fall on their feet (while others can take 2 years or more to find other work?)
Does career transition advice and support really work?
Many years ago I was made redundant. I was lucky – I was in my twenties, the economic situation wasn’t too bad and I had a plan (which was to set up my own business). Thankfully it worked – although with hindsight I could have managed things a little better if I’d had some real support and business coaching. Sadly, all I received was a short workshop with twenty others and no individual support at all. How would an older worker in Adelaide today manage with that little support I wonder? Not well at all I believe – unless they had the skills to take the big leap. Today its very hard to find a job when you have no job – even with the unemployment rate so low. It takes time, patience and the right mindset.
What skills are needed by today’s retrenched worker to access their next paying opportunity? Here are the top 3 that are going to move mountains:
- A growth mindset – an open mindedness that looks at all possible opportunities including finding another job, self-employment, entrepreneurship, contract work, and changing careers.
- Positive emotion – an ability to manage one’s mindset and see the opportunity rather than the tragedy in the situation. An ability to generate positive emotions by one’s actions, thoughts and beliefs. Key positive emotions for attracting employers and taking effective actions include: confidence, friendliness, happiness, optimism and hope.
- Resilience – the ability to spring forward (and away from) those things that hurt, thus propelling you towards a brighter future. Key to success in job search is a deep belief – knowing that a great new future IS possible and believing you have the skills and ability to create that bright future for yourself.
These days it’s about attracting opportunities that produce income rather than “finding a job”. There are many career transition firms – and recruiters – offering redundancy and career transition advice. Many focus on resumes, interview skills and online job search rather than on the application of positive psychology tools and techniques to the redundancy situation.
When I work with retrenched Executives, I work on managing the mindset from the start. It’s so important in finding work you want.
I see that those who adopt a positive mindset have more success networking and creating meaningful connections that lead to opportunities (face to face and online). I also see that those who have taken the time to manage their mindset are more able to eloquently connect with others, manage their personal branding; let employers know what they offer and what they seek; write an impressive resume and cover letter; and handle themselves in an interview.
I believe that to help people get results what’s needed are tailored outplacement services which include positive psychology input. Such services help the individual manage their mindset, improve their skills and confidence and assist them to have an open mind.
If you would like to find out more about outplacement services in Adelaide – please email bridget@developmentatwork.com.au for a personal quote.
If you are a defence spouse we can often provide you with free help with Partner Employment Assistance program (PEAP) Program funding – ask us about it.
If you are a P&C/HR Manager seeking career transition or outplacement support for people in your organisation please contact us on 0477 016966 or bridget@developmentatwork.com.au for a free no obligation meeting and quote – we would love to talk to you about how we can assist your people.
Outplacement Adelaide is Adelaide’s leading career transition firm offering a positive psychology-based outplacement program – individually tailored to the needs of recipients. For information about our outplacement and career transition services click here: www.outplacementadelaide.com.au
We assist retrenched workers to manage their mindset, build their resume, find the hidden jobs, understand and manage their job search and manage their personal brand.
To find out more about our complete solution options which include:
- NLP and Strategic Intervention techniques
- Portfolio careers coaching – attracting employers and income producing opportunities, exploring entrepreneurship and work-related strengths
- Building your brand
- The use of techniques to build optimism, hope, and resilience
- Techniques and tools to overcome physical or psychological issues that could otherwise have held back a person’s job search progress
- Resume writing
- Finding jobs online
- Finding the hidden jobs – often of great use to Executives
- Interview skills
please contact Bridget Hogg on 0477 016966
Retrenched workers are often anxious with the uncertainty of unemployment and this can lead to tunnel vision – Outplacement Adelaide programs offer a mindset shift which helps each person embrace new ways of thinking about work, their strengths, and how to connect with employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Outplacement Adelaide is the outplacement division of Development at Work Australia, based in the Adelaide area of South Australia.