Career crisis counselling
The
client may feel awful
The effect of a work or career crisis on people
may be severe. For many people their identity "I am an X" and way of
life is dependent on the job they do. When the job is at risk apparently
everything may be lost and the person feels valueless, sad and often angry. No‑one
can think and plan, market themselves, decide about the future well when
feeling awful. The loss signalled by job crises often stirs up old painful
memories of other losses (divorce, bereavement etc.). The client has to deal
with these too.
The
counsellor helps the client express her/his feelings
The first part of any counselling process is
usually to listen to, release and accept painful feelings and to help the
person recover their self esteem. If the client is feeling positive and freed
by their change of situation then help her/him to celebrate fully.
Client
needs to think clearly
When the feelings are out, the client has much
work to do. A crisis opens doors and closes them. The client can use the
opportunity to think broadly about his/her options for work in the future. A
new job in the old organisation or field, a job in a new field,
self-employment, relocation or travelling for a year are all possibilities. The
openness of the possibilities is daunting and the temptations are to stay put,
to do nothing or, rarely, to be hopelessly unrealistic about what is possible.
Focusing
clients thought on his/her wants and resources
The counsellor helps the client explore
thoroughly and in depth the question "What do I want to do with my life
now?". Exploring such a question is a very positive experience for most
people. He/she then helps the client explore and value his/her experience, skills, knowledge and connections.
The
client formulates a plan to get what he/she wants
When the client knows what he/she wants ideally
and his/her resources, the next steps are to develop a plan. The plan includes
a detailed and realistic target and a process or processes for reaching it.
The
counsellor encourages the client to act positively and realistically
The task of the counsellor at this stage is to
encourage the client to act and to test the reality of wants. "What is
your track record in the present Company, will it support your
ambitions?". "You want to develop your amateur acting into a
professional career, have you talked with a professional about what is
involved?" The client is also encouraged to look at all the ways there are
of solving the problem and to decide an initial approach.
The
client presents him/herself to the market
The client is now having to present him/herself
at an interview and on paper and by telephone. For many people this is new and
somewhat frightening. It is very difficult indeed if the negative feelings are
still present.
The
counsellor offers feedback and coaching on self presentation
The counsellor can help by giving feedback and
general guidance on the client's CV, how to complete application forms or
create business plans. People are often insufficiently positive about their
achievements. Many do not mention their achievements at all!
The experience of being interviewed can also be
daunting. So much seems to hang on half an hour. People are often nervous and,
therefore, do not think very well. Gentle practice interviews with the
counsellor followed by feedback to the client can improve performance
dramatically. People learn that they are much more effective by being
themselves than by trying to act. CCTV enhances the process.
The
client decides whether to accept an offer
When work or a job is offered the client has to
decide whether to take it. This is an important decision. It does not help to
move from the frying pan to the fire. Some people want to talk this over too,
perhaps over the phone.
Finally
This is my approach to job crisis counselling.
It does work and leaves the client more able and self confident than they were
before. He/she does most of the work.
Everyone will not need the whole of the above.
Some will find an hour of being listened to intently enough to be able to do
the rest on their own. Where people do need everything, it rarely takes more
than four to five half days over say two to three months to work through the
whole process.
These approaches are also effective in a small
group.
If you would like to discuss this further, or meet, please call Nick Heap on +44 (0)1707 886553 or email info@nickheap.co.uk