Choosing Not to Take Advantage of an Opportunity
My clients come to me through several different funnels. A couple of those funnels are through sub-contracting arrangements I have with companies which provide outplacement career coaching services to those let go from their job. In these arrangements, I am paid by the outplacement company. The outplacement company is in turn paid by the company providing the benefit to the employee that they have had to let go from their job. Admittedly, the employee has lost their employment, and now needs to seek new employment. However, the benefit costs them nothing in terms of money. And, it provides them access to someone skilled in the techniques and methods that will help them in developing a successful job search campaign for themselves.
I bring this up because while I have had several clients from these arrangements who not only have taken advantage of the benefit, but learned a lot of great lessons on career search, but I have a number who don’t take advantage of the benefit at all. And, I don’t mean that they refuse the benefit entirely. They will reach out to the outplacement company. They’ll provide their background. I’ll be assigned as their coach. We may even have an initial conversation or two. And, then it is complete silence.
With the active clients, they are always looking to schedule their next session with me, and in some instances the number of sessions is unlimited. In those that are not, there is still ample time to address many items that are a part of the search process. However, with those who do not engage, I will look to follow up with them. Follow-up is via email and/or telephone. Sometimes it is both. With some clients, especially younger ones, I’ll try to reach them by text message. All I’m looking to do is have a conversation with them. I’ll indicate in my communication, that perhaps they have landed a job, and I want to note that for my records. In addition, I’ll follow up and indicate if they are still in search, perhaps there are ways I may be of help to them. I’ll look to encourage them to schedule a reconnection meeting with me.
Some will respond to that. Others will not. The question in my mind has always been, “Why are they choosing not to take advantage of this opportunity that has been provided to them?” For some, it may be bitterness at the company that has let them go. They convince themselves the company would never provide them anything of value, so why should they be drawn into it. For others, they may feel, I can find the next job myself. I’ll apply for open positions online, someone will contact me, hire me and I’ll be all set. And, my heart sinks at this knowing that the odds of being hired through online postings is often a less than 10% proposition. Others balk at the thought of having to either follow a process or put work into a search process. “Why do I have to assess what it is that I want to do next in terms of a job? I’ll just do what I did before.” NOTE: One of the reasons they may have been let go is that what they have done is no longer in demand in the field. “Why do I have to express what I have done as Accomplishment Statements? I’ll just tell a potential employer the tasks I have done.” Employers always want to know, what you can do for them.
The list goes on and on. What opportunities have presented themselves into your life? Have you fully assessed if they are worth pursuing or not? Or have you dismissed them right out of hand? I’m not saying you need to pursue everything presented to you. I’ll admit that I pass by many an offer that comes by my computer each day. Some don’t interest me because they don’t align with the way I choose to do my business. Others don’t because they are not targeting the types of clients with which I choose to work. And, at times others come when I have a full plate of activities, and I don’t feel I can do them justice.
However, if you are suddenly thrust into a situation you have not faced before, or have not faced for a long time, and help and support is offered, give that help or support consideration. Weigh the benefit of taking advantage of the support versus the cost of not taking it. Opportunities are out there for you. Be open to recognizing them.
