Get Help From Your Employer During a Transition

For many affected by the downsizing of the Pharma industry, the biggest challenge is finding the right resources that can help them take the next step.  Depending on the exit package your firm is offering, some help can come at their expense, not yours.

More and more, companies are hiring outside HR companies to provide ‘Transition Services’ to individuals affected by downsizing.  Here is how you can make the most of this internal service:

• First Contact - Usually at the exit meeting itself, this often takes the form of a quick introduction to the rep from the HR firm, a meeting lasting anywhere from 5 minutes to half hour, and a binder of information to add to the growing pile of documents you’ve already been handed along the way.

  
  

  
  

• Follow Up Appointment - While likely still in shock, you may mutter something about “getting back to them” when you are asked to book a time to meet for a follow-up.  Do yourself a favor and book that meeting.  It could end up being the most valuable part of your package in terms of getting you reconnected to a satisfying work life.

In that follow up appointment, here are some of the offerings you can ask your firm to cover:

Career Counseling

Career Transition specialists can help you take stock of your skill sets and interests, as well as whether your plans include more education, additional certifications to make your next career step count.  They also have access to research looking at industry forecasts and trend that may point you in new direction altogether.  This can be a great resource, so make use of it.

Financial Solutions

Still reeling from the changes?  Take some time to talk it out with the pros.

Unlike family and friends offering sympathy and love, they have the actual tools to guide you during this unsettling time.  Pension questions, tax implications, and Employment Insurance benefits are just a few of the issues that can add to the drama of a lay-off.  Get the answers you need from the experts that can help.

Resume and Interview Support

Been a while since you dusted off your resume?  Look through hundreds of industry-specific resume templates designed for maximum impact and get the help you need to make yours stand out.  Can’t remember the last interview you went on?  Let the HR specialists get you comfortable with the current interview styles and question themes.

These are just some of the transition services your employer may be offering, so take the time to familiarize yourself with the package if your employer has prepared one for you.  It’s easy to get focused on the financial portion of the compensation package but there’s so much you’d be missing!