Out-Placement Seminars

Introduction

The current economic and business climate is driven by planned and unplanned changes that impact cash flow and strategic operational decisions. Some companies must consider downsizing and lay-offs due to lost profits, mergers, acquisitions, reductions in grants and various other pressures. Turning Points offers Out-Placement Seminars to address these pressures.

In people centered organizations going through reductions in workforce the use of Out-Placement services has become more important than ever. Most often mid to senior level managers are provided with one-on-one Out-Placement counseling services. For supervisors and rank-and-file staff however, the cost of Out-Placement services is just too high, yet the need is great. Offering Out-Placement Seminars for individuals and groups targeted for downsizing, or for those who have been recently laid off, is very important and provides a life-line in a time of insecurity. These seminars also send a very important message to those who remain with the company and survive downsizing and reductions; that the company cares about it’s people. These seminars can actually help maintain morale in a time of uncertainty.

When a company offers Out-Placement Seminars it shows a side of humanism that blunts the cutting edge of lay-offs and sends the message that the company does care about its employees, even though it may be forced to let people go. The seminars prepare individuals to tackle the task of figuring out what to do next in their career lives and how to get there in a guided and proactive way as quickly as possible. The cost benefit to the company comes in the form of lowered risk of lawsuits from disgruntled employees that are separated, and improved levels of commitment and loyalty from those who remain.

Turning Points is a career and organizational development consulting firm specializing in the delivery of Out-Placement services to companies such as yours. We provide one-on-one counseling and group workshops that answer the needs of businesses going through strategic changes in their lifecycle. We have been in business since 1983 and have been providing the highest quality premium services at a reasonable cost.

Some of our other services include: Executive Coaching, Management Development, Conflict Management, Team Building, Communications Workshops, Diversity Training and Organizational Assessment, Diagnosis and Change programs.

Overall Purpose and Target Audience

In all situations the purpose of these seminars will be to prepare individuals for entry into the job market with focus, confidence and expediency. The target audience for these seminars is lower middle managers, Supervisors and line staff. These employee populations may have a more limited exposure to the skills and techniques required to access the hidden job markets.

Learning Objectives

Participants in these Out-Placement Seminars will cover all aspects of career transition and be able to define their career objective in keeping with their personality and interests, the industry or environment they would like to work in, prepare a targeted resume and cover letter, learn effective interview techniques and how to research, network and market successfully to obtain their defined job.

Organizational Objectives

The cost benefit to the company comes in two ways: reduced risk of liability from potential law suits filed against the company from separated employees and improved levels of commitment and loyalty from survivors of downsizing.

Process

The process will be made up of three different phases that include Assessment, Research and Marketing. A seminar leader will conduct all sessions and offer continued support between sessions, and for a limited time after completion of the program.

The Assessment phase will introduce a context for the participants, helping to minimize fear of change and build excitement about a planned and productive career transition process. This phase will include exploring individual personality preferences with regard to their career functions and self analysis of interests, skills, inherent abilities and developed talents. We will focus on determining the kind of work environment that would be pleasing to the job seeker.

The Researching phase will have individuals assemble both active and passive information to develop career goals and an objective. They will survey various resources that introduce different career options along with information that clarifies qualifications, educational credentials, salary ranges and expected industry growth. Participants will also learn how to develop a contact list and actively network for information relevant to their career areas of interest.

The Marketing Phase will include drafting a resume and cover letter and coaching in interviewing skills and negotiating tactics. We will emphasize how participants initiate, control and maintain a marketing campaign.

Program Outline

I. Assessment Phase
Why do people have the need for transition? Why is transition scary?
How do you decide what the new career should be?
Greatest Accomplishments – Hobbies - Interests
Myers Briggs Short Form Self Scored – Define your personality type
Discussion of MBTI results

Holland Hexagon & Discussion of the Six Different Working Personality Types
Skills Sheet and Discussion
Strengths Sheet and Discussion

II. Research Phase
256 Job Ideas
Newspaper Ads
Occupational Outlook Handbook or Dictionary of Occupational Handbook
Selection of 5 Career Options – Pros and Cons
           Preparation of Contact List
           Networking for Information
           Definition of Job Objective

III. Marketing Phase
Drafting Resume
Drafting the Cover letter
Preparation for Interviewing
Negotiations
Four Elements of a Marketing Campaign

• Ads, Search Firms, Mail Campaign, Networking
• Time needed for each element and expected return on investment

How to Implement an Effective Marketing Campaign

• Time distribution for each part
• How to follow up on Ads, Search Firms and Mail Campaign
• How to Network Successfully

The Search Log
Review of Process