COVID-19 has had the biggest impact on the economy and the world of work in modern times. Human Resources are looking at career transition services to support their employees as they face large changes and restructuring programmes. Let’s dive a little deeper and discover exactly what career transition is, and how it can help your employees.
What is career transition?
Career transition is a term that is often used interchangeably with career change; however, there are huge differences between the two concepts. A career change is simply the movement from one career to another, landing a new job for example. Career transition is a process. It involves constructive thought, a shift in mind-set and an evaluation of personal goals.
Career transition programmes usually include working with a career transition coach who guides employees through a process of understanding their employability skills and options.
What does a career transition coach do?
A career transition coach is highly experienced in their field. Coaching someone through a career transition requires a specific set of skills. Coaches will assist in CV preparation, interview skills, networking and the general job hunt. The coach will also help the employee evaluate their skills and understand how transferable they are. Career paths are no long linear but involve side steps, leaps, and variable changes. Coaches help with the understanding this concept and open up opportunities that may have gone by unnoticed.
In the current landscape, many people are being displaced from one sector to another, as some sectors are crumbling, and other thriving. This movement between sectors requires job seekers to understand and believe that they can move and are valuable outside of their current sphere. A coach will help the employee feel that the transition is possible, thus breaking down barriers that people without career transition coaches will struggle with.
Is a career transition programme right for your employees and your organisation?
Career transition is often thought of as outplacement. However, outplacement is just one part of career transition, when an employee is exiting an organisation. Career transition and employability services provide value to an organisation and employees throughout the employee lifecycle. Career transition does not just occur when an employee is leaving a company but can also assist when there is internal movement, redeployment, gap analysis and empowering employees to take responsibility for, and understand better, their own careers. A good career transition programme identifies opportunities before they occur so HR teams can prepare in advance. A career transition programme therefore can be extremely valuable. Pre-empting change within an organisation and leaning upon internal resources and talent can help cut hiring costs, time costs and allows you to be more agile and productive. To have a workforce focused on the development of their careers is motivating and enables progression.
If you organisation is looking for career transition services, get in touch today with one of our partners in your local area.