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Modified Outplacement

OI Partners - Lifocus provides outplacement programs for all levels, from senior executive to hourly and nonexempt.

Our focus is on you and your success!

Modified programs provide to the client a "nuts and bolts," no nonsense, hard work approach to re-establishing themselves in the job market. OI Partners - Lifocus' modified programs address the basic needs of the client while keeping outplacement costs down. Our 6-week program includes the newest job search source, the Internet. We provide proprietary internet web based solutions, as well as resume posting services.

Topics Covered

Orientation and overview
Dealing with job loss
Writing a career mission statement
Resume for the 21st century
References: preparing and coaching
Understanding the job market and trends
Building a strategic marketing plan
Resources for self-marketing: exploring the 5 job search sources
Networking: scripts and role play
Effective telephone techniques
Letter writing campaign: An approach to better understanding the target audience
The job interview: Research, Rehearse and Role Play
Compensation negotiations
Contracts and signing bonuses
Conducting a job search on the Internet - Proprietary solutions and resources
Post-hire issues

Quality Assurance Pledge

You will have access to a counselor within a reasonable period of time throughout the duration of your program.
You will be treated with the highest degree of professionalism, dignity and care at all times.
Our working relationship will be held in the strictest of confidence.
We will clearly explain what services to expect and what period of time they are to be delivered.
You should expect to work long hard hours on your job search with guidance, support and coaching from your OI Partners - Lifocus counselor.
You should expect the following services at a minimum :
- Counseling for you and your spouse to help you deal with losing your job or making a career change.
- Diagnostic skills assessment for identifying meaningful career goals and objectives.
- Guidance and assistance with preparing your resume.
- Training and development of self-marketing skills, letter and telephone techniques, networking and contact development meetings, etc.
- Interviewing and negotiating skills training using videotape and role play analysis.
- Advice, guidance and counsel regarding job offers and salary negotiations.
- Internet and World Wide Web job search training and resume posting.
- Administrative, secretarial and technical support services including data bases, reference material, messaging, laser printing of all correspondence, etc.
- Focus on Life ™Process-dealing with pre- and post-hire issues such as chemistry and company culture.
You should understand that the successful completion of your job search is really your responsibility, along with the assistance, support, guidance and advocacy of OI Partners - Lifocus.

How long will my job search take?
There are many variables in determining the length of a job search campaign. These are some of the factors that will impact the length of your search:

Attitude.
The more positive and optimistic you are, the sooner you will find a position. People around you need to sense a "winning" attitude.

Amount/Quality of Effort.
The more time you put into your search, the less time you will be out there searching. Of course, this also means using your time effectively to maximize impact.

Condition of Your Job Market.
If your chosen industry is depressed and you don't want to explore other options for transferring your skills, it will take longer. If your skills are in demand, it will take less time.

Position/Salary Level.
If you are seeking a senior-level position or are pricing yourself too high for a given job market, you may search longer. A recent study by the American Management Association found that workers under the age of 35 took an average of 3.4 months to find a job and on average their new jobs paid 110.7 percent of what their previous jobs paid. In contrast, those ages 45 to 54 took an average of 5.6 months to find a new job, and those jobs on average paid 95.5 percent of what the previous job paid.

Age.
Although it is illegal to discriminate because of age, older people generally need more time to find a new position. Learning how to reposition your mature judgment and experience as a benefit is key to offsetting biases.

Remember there are jobs for young people, middle-aged people and older people. An entry-level position will not be filled by someone sixty and a senior management position will not be filled by someone who is twenty. You will find that by working hard at your job search and utilizing all available resources, positions will be available. Your age is an issue only if you exaggerate it.

Geographic Limitations.
Limiting your search to a favored region may lengthen it. Being open to relocation will no doubt provide increased opportunities.

Lasting Impressions.
Carefully preparing and presenting yourself well to your personal contacts and during interviews increases your chances of being hired. If you can articulate your skills and interests; who you are, what you've done and what you can do, you will probably find work faster than someone who can't.

What Should I Do Between Now and When I Start The Process?
Don't panic. Jumping into the job market too soon, sending outdated resumes or making desperate phone calls to old friends, associates or search firms can work against you.

You should be preparing to launch an effective search. You need to assess your goals, prepare a resume and other marketing documents that reflect your direction, plan a self marketing strategy and have an outplacement consultant or personal coach on your side ready to guide you before you rush into today's competitive and sophisticated marketplace.

If you are contacted by search firms, potential employers, or friends informing you of potential jobs, let them know that you appreciate their interest. At this time, however, you are reviewing your options and will get back to them soon. This keeps the door open and gives you the chance to get yourself organized and mentally ready to present yourself in the best possible light.

One of the benefits of an outplacement consultant is having a trained professional with whom you can be comfortable expressing your thoughts and emotions about your situation. Until you start working with OI Partners - Lifocus and are assigned a consultant, be careful when discussing your circumstances with friends and associates. These are the same people you might need for references and networking contacts, and you don't want to mistakenly say something that reflects negatively on you. Start planning. Evaluate your finances so you can set a target date of when you need to begin work again. This will help as you organize your job search and consider offers. Think about whether relocating is a possibility and start listing companies and contacts for reference later. Whatever you decide to do, decide to get started.