How do you help outplaced employees identify and leverage their transferable skills?

Ikigai is a powerful tool not only to recognize your own skills and abilities but also to recognize the scenarios where you can put those abilities at the service of others.

Don't forget to observe your client's mental state too! Help clients reframe the current situation so that they do not feel too anxious and jump into another opportunity straightaway.

Each client approaches the job search process in a different way depending on their needs. Some clients are anxious to find a new role immediately while others are able to take some time to consider their options. Sometimes, people want to take time to regroup since layoffs are so difficult emotionally. Career coaches are trained to help job seekers navigate these waters in a thoughtful way, customizing your plan based on your individual needs.

Encourage clients to research trending or hot skills in the market too! That way, they can identify skills that they have that will be highly relevant for the current market too.

Transferable skills and skill stacking are such a key piece of the positioning process. I've made 5 career changes personally (from engineering to business to writing to coaching with several steps in between). In each move, transferable skills and skill stacking way key to moving from one role to the next.

Identifying transferable skills is essential in an outplacement process. Most of the time, it´s been a long time since the person last prepared a resume or interview questions scripts, so I ask them to take an assessment about strengths in order to assess what is best in them, and then by raising their self-esteem I can ask them to talk more about the skills they could use in any position. It´s a mind-blowing process, especially for those who suffered a recent dismissal, they have their mind expanded by seeing that they have a career dissociated from the company.

If you are making a career change, you need to make it clear in your resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letter, and interview that you understand the new role and have the transferable skills necessary to make the switch.

The GROW model is a simple way to set and achieve your career transition goals. G=Goal (set a goal and make it SMART) R=Reality (is this goal realistic to where you are in your life/career transition now?) O=Options (what are the options/obstacles to consider?) W=Will or Way Forward (what are the steps you will take to achieve your goal?) Goals provide focus and it is essential to set them during a career transition.

An MBA is one option for filling in skill or knowledge gaps. And you don't have to go "all in" with a full-time MBA program. You could start with a flexible part-time or online MBA program and take just one course a semester, depending on the program. That way, you can tap into the school's powerful network and career services services as part of your job search. Just registering and attending an information session, which is free, means that you are meeting new people who could be helpful with your search. And you often have the opportunity for a class visit, which can help fill a knowledge gap.

p.s. If you are interested in a full-time MBA, this is a helpful article I came across this week: https://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/perspectives/bouncing-back-better-from-a-layoff-with-an-mba/?fbclid=IwAR0q0CiDskX6kC-InXT5_exvJrZiJDf3gVt0xLurp3axBw5a0zIuY3KljnU

Losing your job is one of the top 5 life stressors that you will ever face. Talking with your outplacement support team can help you to navigate this process and stay positive throughout the job search process.

LinkedIn groups can be a great way to network with professionals in your desired field. Join groups that are relevant to your industry, and participate in discussions. You can also reach out to group members for advice and networking opportunities.