If you have been or are about to be made redundant this presentation briefly covers the emotional journey you may go through, how to plan your career and how to search and apply for jobs
5. Chemical Scientists at the RSC Sales: membership, journals, books Making the news: RSC News, Chemistry World, campaigns LIC: information specialists Publishing: journals & books Education: HE policy, supporting schools & colleges Parliamentary activities Supporting members: networks, local sections, advice & help Science policy
Agenda: Coping with Redundancy Career Planning Job seeking strategies CVs & applications
Redundancy is an emotional time. Not personal – but can feel that way Use support from the organisation - outplacement This graph shows a change curve. It was originally developed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross who pioneered methods in the support and counselling of personal trauma, grief and grieving, associated with death and dying. Her ideas, notably the five stages of grief model (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance), are also transferable to personal change and emotional upset resulting from factors other than death and dying such as work redundancy, enforced relocation, crime and punishment, disability and injury, relationship break-up, financial despair and bankruptcy, etc. It is important to bear in mind that Kübler-Ross did not intend this to be a rigid series of sequential or uniformly timed steps. It's not a process as such, it's a model or a framework. People do not always experience all of the five 'grief cycle' stages. Some stages might be revisited. Some stages might not be experienced at all. Transition between stages can be more of an ebb and flow, rather than a progression. The five stages are not linear; neither are they equal in their experience. The model recognises that people have to pass through their own individual journey of coming to terms with death and bereavement, etc., after which there is generally an acceptance of reality, which then enables the person to cope. 1 - Denial is a conscious or unconscious refusal to accept facts, information, reality, etc., relating to the situation concerned. It's a defence mechanism and perfectly natural. Some people can become locked in this stage when dealing with a traumatic change that can be ignored. 2 – Anger can manifest in different ways. People dealing with emotional upset can be angry with themselves, and/or with others, especially those close to them. Knowing this helps keep detached and non-judgemental when experiencing the anger of someone who is very upset. 3 - Bargaining Traditionally the bargaining stage for people facing redundancy can involve attempting to bargain seek to negotiate a compromise. Such as ‘’I will take a 50% pay cut if only I can get a job’’. Bargaining rarely provides a sustainable solution. 4 - Depression stage is a sort of acceptance with emotional attachment. It's natural to feel sadness and regret, fear, uncertainty, etc. It shows that the person has at least begun to accept the reality. 5 - Acceptance Broadly it is an indication that there is some emotional detachment and objectivity. For more information: http://www.businessballs.com/elisabeth_kubler_ross_five_stages_of_grief.htm
Research scientist = membership sales, professional body Research scientist = industry specialist, professional body
You can find lots of information about options with chemistry on the careers pages on MyRSC
How much money do you need to earn? How much money do you want to earn? Are you happy taking orders? Do you want to be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond? etc.....
What barriers might you face? And what will help you to remove them?
Online Searches Advantages: time, location, amount of information Disadvantages: not all employers use the internet, lack of human contact, security Recruitment Agencies Advantages: time, free, access to different jobs Disadvantages: lack of support, not careers advisers, can be pushy Searching effectively: Don’t only rely on one method Narrow your search if possible Register with lots of agencies Keep your information updated
With the RSC Local & international sections RSC Reps Interest groups and divisions Outside Friends & family Former colleagues Linkedin Other professional bodies
Working with your network 1. Organize Spreadsheet: names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and dates of communication. OR Keep business cards: write notes and comments about your network 2. Communicate Don't be afraid to ask for help - most people like helping others. 3. Talk to people currently in the field 4. Follow up Keeping your network informed of your situation and thank them for their efforts.
Tailoring CVs CVs are marketing documents not life stories! Targeting: key skills/experience brought attention of the recruiter early on. Each CV and covering letter needs to be targeted. If applying speculatively: write your CV for a job you would want – what skills & experiences have you enjoyed? First page = shop window You should be detailing your relevant experience and examples of work e.g. projects (how you worked), budgets, no. of staff, key skills etc Second page = supporting structure You should be detailing Career background, Training, Education, Other skills and Interests/hobbies References on request
Be… positive clean, neat and tidy polite and friendly punctual honest focus Think about your body language , make eye contact & smile Ask appropriate questions
