Christmas wishes from Career Evolution

This time of year always makes us take stock of what we have achieved over the last 12 months. Whether it’s personal or professional, goal setting, reaching targets and celebrating success, are all things that should be an important part of any person’s journey.

As 2021 draws to a close, it fills me with a deep sense of satisfaction to know that I have helped many people this year find their next role – even in this ever-changing job search landscape we find ourselves in. It is a privilege to work with my clients, in such wide and varied sectors; from manufacturing, technology and the food industry, through to the NHS, chemical industry and third sector.

A big thank you to all my corporate clients who have used Career Evolution to carry out outplacement and coaching assignments this year. Many thanks also to our Consultants and Coaches who have provided and shared their expertise with us to achieve our clients’ goals.

2021 has marked some personal achievements for me too, with possibly the biggest being attaining my black belt in Taekwondo. It has been a tough journey to reach this level, but I am so proud that I have managed it. Next year also marks Career Evolution’s 12th year in business and I am looking forward to setting some exciting new goals for 2022.

Whatever you have achieved this year, be sure to take the time to reflect and mark your achievements.

Wishing you, your family and friends a happy, healthy Christmas – here’s to 2022!

Outplacement testimonial: Bridging the career gap between past and future

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When Catherine (name changed) started working with Career Evolution, we had to address the knock her confidence had taken before we could start working with her to find her next career move.

She explained:

“It has been a rollercoaster of a journey. Before I started working with Sue, I couldn’t understand what I had done wrong or why it was happening to me. I felt abandoned. Fortunately, the company I was working with agreed to provide outplacement support for me, and things started to improve once I met Sue.

“The first thing she had me do was understand my own individual story. She also worked with me to help me overcome the self-doubt I was experiencing and identify my skills and become confident in them again.

“Sue provided me with a framework for a structured approach. If being made redundant enables you to draft the next chapter of your life, then Sue is the editor reviewing it! She worked with me to sense check and edit everything that I was doing. She provided advice and definitely kept me action-focused and research-based.

“Throughout this time, Sue has been a consistent and constant presence. Basically, she has provided me with a bridge from the past to the future. Being made redundant is a difficult experience and moving on from that is a hard process. Sue has kept me accountable throughout – even when I didn’t want to be – and enabled me to articulate my own experience into chunks of knowledge and transferable skills I could use to position myself going forward.

“I think the biggest benefits of working with Career Evolution was that fact that Sue understands the rules and laws of getting a job. She can advise on the practicalities of fashioning your CV and approaching interviews, and how to leverage your network. She makes you really think about what you want to do next, and she allows you to truly believe in what you should be doing and the type of role you should be securing next.

“Don’t be fooled though. It isn’t Sue doing the work, it’s you! I found that I was at my desk for six hours a day or more– working hard! However, it worked. Within four months – of hard work – I secured a job that I am very excited to be starting in the new year. Sue’s work with me was invaluable. She really helped me get rid of the noise and find clarity.”

Speak to our team if you are in need of our services.

Action stations: Launching a truly effective job search campaign

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Just like any campaign, your job search campaign requires careful planning and a strategic approach. I have heard many people say, that looking for a new job is like a full-time role in itself. To be honest, I can see where the similarities lie. A successful job search will require extensive commitment and determination.

Traditionally job searches were primarily focused around transactional actions. Looking at the job pages and job adverts, both online and offline and applying for appropriate roles. This would have been supported by work with recruiters and head hunters, particularly if the role was at a senior level or within a specific sector. It was largely unheard of to consider word of mouth and your individual relationships as a likely place to find your next role.

Your little black book of contacts

This has now changed, and many people are finding their personal network as potentially the most fertile ground for securing their next position. With the advent of LinkedIn, the recruitment landscape changed.  Your little black book of contacts became digital, and it was much easier to understand the reach of your network. It also more easily allowed you to connect to people you had met that had inspired or impressed you.

It’s good to talk

Today, your network is your best starting point for your job search campaign. Catch-up with ex-colleagues and bosses and use the opportunity to explain you are looking for a new role. You never know, they might have the perfect role for you, or know of another organisation that does. Ask advice from, and get talking to, industry contacts. They might be aware of job opportunities or even just have some good insight that will help you in your job search. You might even find that if you establish a connection with someone, that a role will be created based on the particular skills and benefits that you can bring to an organisation.

Obviously, there is no guarantee that your network can help you find your next role, and there is still an important role for recruiters and head hunters to play – and to a lesser extent the job boards and adverts too. However, by ensuring your network knows you are looking, your contacts are more likely to have you front of mind when an opportunity does come along.

If you would like to find out how we can help in the outplacement with your team, please contact us today.