Mark Swartz, Career Coach

Employee & Job-Seeker Tip

GETREADY

TOGET

DOWNSIZED

GET ADVICEFROMSEVERAL SOURCES

GET ADVICEFROMSEVERAL SOURCES 11..

• An employment lawyer can help you…

• review your legal options regarding the impending downsizing

• ensure that you are treated fairly by your employer

• manage your expectations on what sort of severance package you might expect

• secure a higher settlement or severance package

• convince your employer to pay for “Outplacement” (career transition coaching) for you

1.1 CONTACT AN EMPLOYMENT LAWYER TO DISCUSS OPTIONS 1.1 CONTACT AN EMPLOYMENT LAWYER TO DISCUSS OPTIONS

• Can your HR people (or other Managers)...

• reassign you to another division or place you on secondment to another employer?

• demote or promote you in order to keep you on?

•   retrain you for a different position?

• offer you an “early retirement” package?

•   agree that your upcoming departure was due to restructuring, so that it doesn’t appear that you’re at fault in any way for getting terminated?

1.2 SPEAK TO HR AND SEE IF ALTERNATIVES CAN BE ARRANGED

1.2 SPEAK TO HR AND SEE IF ALTERNATIVES CAN BE ARRANGED

PREPARE YOUR DEPARTUREPARACHUTE

PREPARE YOUR DEPARTUREPARACHUTE22..

• Have you earned such things as a...• recommendation for a job well done? • thank you note from a colleague? • award for your accomplishments? • endorsement from clients / suppliers?

2.1 GATHER EVIDENCE OF YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS2.1 GATHER EVIDENCE OF YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS

2.2 COLLECT EXAMPLES OF YOUR WORK 2.2 COLLECT EXAMPLES OF YOUR WORK

• Assemble samples of the following if they apply to you...

• spreadsheets you’ve produced• proposals that you’ve written• reports you’ve edited• important memo’s you’ve responded to in a

timely manner• meetings you’ve run well• projects you’ve managed successfully

> Do not take anything that belongs exclusively to the employer. Leave private data behind too

• Go through your list of contacts and copy those you might want to connect with after leaving

• Do not violate any confidentiality or non-compete clauses you may have signed (consult with an employment lawyer for advice on this prior to acting)

2.3 MAKE CONTACT LIST TO TAKE WITH YOU2.3 MAKE CONTACT LIST TO TAKE WITH YOU

• Take advantage of such entitlements as…• vacation that’s still owed to you• reimbursement for Professional• healthcare and vision care• pension top up provisions

2.4 USE UP ANY REMAINING ENTITLEMENTS2.4 USE UP ANY REMAINING ENTITLEMENTS

START PREPARING FOR YOUR NEW JOB SEARCH

START PREPARING FOR YOUR NEW JOB SEARCH33..

•Add to your resume all of your latest achievements, work- based activities, courses or credential upgrades

•Make sure the dates of your employment are accurate and your title(s) are noted properly

•Speak to internal staff (before you leave, if possible) in order to secure references. Observe your employer’s Code of Conduct in these matters

3.1 UPDATE YOUR RESUME AND REFERENCES3.1 UPDATE YOUR RESUME AND REFERENCES

• Begin checking job sites such as Monster.ca for suitable opportunities

 •Get in touch with a few recruiters in your field to

discuss your approaching availability (if you are ready to do so)

• Get permission from management if you intend to search for work on company time, or if using your employer’s equipment - otherwise you could be providing your employer with cause to dismiss

you without extra severance

3.2 GIVE SOME THOUGHT TO WHERE YOU MIGHT WANT TO WORK NEXT

3.2 GIVE SOME THOUGHT TO WHERE YOU MIGHT WANT TO WORK NEXT

more on this topic:

Are You About To Be Fired?

more career advice:

http://career-advice.monster.ca

join us on: