The situation:
Our contracted client - a large chemicals company undergoing a merger, wishes to offer its employees special training in preparation for upcoming selection interviews. The idea of these selection interviews is to give each employee, prior to the coming-together of the two companies, the opportunity to ascertain his/her future job and position in the company.
Our plan of action:
The workshop format we use supports the employee, encouraging them to use this chance to take action in their own career management. We show them how present themselves and their personality profile in the best possible light.
The workshop lasts for two days. During the sessions, and in subsequent one-on-one discussions, employees attain a complete personal and professional self-summary. Lectures, presentations, group work, simulated working situations, individual discussion - all these, and a complete package of course materials, are used. Central to the workshop theme is working through the answers to the following questions (amongst others):
• How has my career run, up until this moment?
• What's my present work situation: what do I want to carry on with, what do I want to explore further, what would I change?
• Where do my strengths lie? How do I deal with my weaknesses?
• Of my various interests, which can I make use of professionally?
• Which activities in my work can I truthfully say that I dislike?
• How do I see myself? How do others regard me?
• To what aims should I aspire in my professional future?
• What expectations will be demanded from me? What expectations should I myself hold?
• How should I conduct this upcoming selection interview?
At the end of the workshop, each participant possesses a clear idea as to their own ability profile. They are able to define target career positions for their future. In preparing themselves for a lot of difficult questions, they feel a good deal more confident about the prospects for their own performance during the upcoming selection interview – in short, they know what to expect.
Evaluation:
Feedback from the participants confirms not only the necessity of the project in the fist place, but also the success of the strategy we designed and applied in order to meet their requirements.
"Great support in actively putting career and life planning together"
"I became a lot more confident in my own personal performance"
"I became aware of a whole new set of professional perspectives"
"It gave me the motivation to take an active part in the whole process of change going on in the company"
"a boost to my self-confidence"
"You become aware of responsibility to yourself"
"interesting, helpful and useful"
The company also achieves what it wanted. All future options are discussed, during meetings that are characterised by a spirit of partnership. Severances are achieved by recognition that mutual ambitions cannot be realised - not by bleak, one-sided execution. In doing this, the company succeeds in making an important contribution to the future 'employability' of its people.
