22
Sep
2002
Q: I am considering changing employment and not sure what assistance is available, or would be best?
A: There are numerous services available in the Quad Cities to assist you in your employment quest. The employment services field is still relatively unregulated and virtually anyone can become a provider. Many offer duplicate services, so remember all services are not delivered with equal competence. Therefore one must be sure from whom they are seeking assistance. When selecting a service, be sure you understand what they do and for whom they are working, thereby allowing you to maximize the available services to your benefit.
Outplacement:
Outplacement providers work to assist the terminated employee in obtaining new employment primarily through job search skills instruction. The scope of service is determined, contracted and paid for by the releasing employer. Training of service providers is minimal; most providers are former human resource or middle management personnel from assorted industries.
Placement Agency:
Employers contract a placement agency to supply employees for both permanent and temporary positions. The receiving employer pays the agency, which in turn pays the temporary employee a percentage. If it is a permanent placement, the agency retains the entire fee. Agencies place individuals based on expertise and current client demand. Training of service providers is minimal; some providers are college graduates, some are not.
Search Firms:
Search firms are contracted by employers to locate and screen potential candidates for employment. The searching employer pays the agency on a contingency and/or commission fee basis for services. The agency searches out candidates that can be placed. Training of service providers is minimal; some providers are college graduates with experience in their represented field, some are not.
State Employment Services:
Part of state service is to assist individuals in obtaining employment. Due to reductions in budgets and personnel, state now serves as a clearinghouse for matching employment openings with registered candidates. Some account managers are college graduates, some are not.
School Counselor:
School Counselors' assist students in selecting an appropriate curriculum to support an identified course of studies. Serves to aid student in selecting a career objective and assist graduate in identifying potential employers. School counselors are college graduates with an advanced degree in guidance counseling and primarily experienced in an academic environment.
Psychological Counseling:
Psychological counseling focuses on the emotional and mental well being of the individual and/or family. Practitioners are college graduates with advanced degrees in their field of specialization, family counseling, depression, clinical psychology, etc. Providers are skilled in the clinical setting through schooling, internship and entering a practice. Insurance companies, employers and the individuals pay counselors.
Independent Career Counselor:
Independent career counselors assist individuals in all types of career decisions and transitions. Address all career-related issues including identification of congruency of life and career goals, development of individualized search skills, marketing materials, and strategy development. Independent career counselors are college graduates with advanced degrees in career counseling and should be personally experienced in a wide range of the world of work. The counselor is contracted and paid by the individual.
When selecting which service to use, be sure to interview the provider before any commitment is made. Make sure you understand the policies, obligations and restrictions. Other deciding factors should be your comfort level, ability to relate and credentials of the individual with whom you will be interacting. Check the service provider's code of ethics and interview some past clients. No fee, low or high fee is irrelevant if the service provider is not providing what you need and want.
If it is assessment, resume development, search or negotiation skills, or strategy development, be sure to check the experience and effectiveness of the provider. Making a poor change when changing employment can have a devastating effect on your life. Taking the time to insure a positive change may like wise have a devastating effect on your life, only in a positive nature.
Using the listed services, you might want to visit a Career Counselor to validate your decision to change employment, the direction you are considering and development of marketing materials and strategy. Your strategy might include checking the State Services for listed openings, as well as contacting Placement Agencies that handle your particular skill. You might enlist the aid of an appropriate Search Firm and then conduct a personal search.
Just remember there are only two ways to seek employment. 1) Passively, letting others do the work for you. Then choosing from their selection of positions. 2) Assertively, taking charge of your situation by researching and enlisting all the appropriate entities to insure success.
Vince Barrett, Principal of Quad City Career Counseling, Bettendorf, Iowa. Quad City Career Counseling provides a full range of career management services, counseling, coaching, and marketing.
Outplacement:
Outplacement providers work to assist the terminated employee in obtaining new employment primarily through job search skills instruction. The scope of service is determined, contracted and paid for by the releasing employer. Training of service providers is minimal; most providers are former human resource or middle management personnel from assorted industries.
Placement Agency:
Employers contract a placement agency to supply employees for both permanent and temporary positions. The receiving employer pays the agency, which in turn pays the temporary employee a percentage. If it is a permanent placement, the agency retains the entire fee. Agencies place individuals based on expertise and current client demand. Training of service providers is minimal; some providers are college graduates, some are not.
Search Firms:
Search firms are contracted by employers to locate and screen potential candidates for employment. The searching employer pays the agency on a contingency and/or commission fee basis for services. The agency searches out candidates that can be placed. Training of service providers is minimal; some providers are college graduates with experience in their represented field, some are not.
State Employment Services:
Part of state service is to assist individuals in obtaining employment. Due to reductions in budgets and personnel, state now serves as a clearinghouse for matching employment openings with registered candidates. Some account managers are college graduates, some are not.
School Counselor:
School Counselors' assist students in selecting an appropriate curriculum to support an identified course of studies. Serves to aid student in selecting a career objective and assist graduate in identifying potential employers. School counselors are college graduates with an advanced degree in guidance counseling and primarily experienced in an academic environment.
Psychological Counseling:
Psychological counseling focuses on the emotional and mental well being of the individual and/or family. Practitioners are college graduates with advanced degrees in their field of specialization, family counseling, depression, clinical psychology, etc. Providers are skilled in the clinical setting through schooling, internship and entering a practice. Insurance companies, employers and the individuals pay counselors.
Independent Career Counselor:
Independent career counselors assist individuals in all types of career decisions and transitions. Address all career-related issues including identification of congruency of life and career goals, development of individualized search skills, marketing materials, and strategy development. Independent career counselors are college graduates with advanced degrees in career counseling and should be personally experienced in a wide range of the world of work. The counselor is contracted and paid by the individual.
When selecting which service to use, be sure to interview the provider before any commitment is made. Make sure you understand the policies, obligations and restrictions. Other deciding factors should be your comfort level, ability to relate and credentials of the individual with whom you will be interacting. Check the service provider's code of ethics and interview some past clients. No fee, low or high fee is irrelevant if the service provider is not providing what you need and want.
If it is assessment, resume development, search or negotiation skills, or strategy development, be sure to check the experience and effectiveness of the provider. Making a poor change when changing employment can have a devastating effect on your life. Taking the time to insure a positive change may like wise have a devastating effect on your life, only in a positive nature.
Using the listed services, you might want to visit a Career Counselor to validate your decision to change employment, the direction you are considering and development of marketing materials and strategy. Your strategy might include checking the State Services for listed openings, as well as contacting Placement Agencies that handle your particular skill. You might enlist the aid of an appropriate Search Firm and then conduct a personal search.
Just remember there are only two ways to seek employment. 1) Passively, letting others do the work for you. Then choosing from their selection of positions. 2) Assertively, taking charge of your situation by researching and enlisting all the appropriate entities to insure success.
Vince Barrett, Principal of Quad City Career Counseling, Bettendorf, Iowa. Quad City Career Counseling provides a full range of career management services, counseling, coaching, and marketing.
