A Bend In The Road

By Derek Mengel and Ross Mengel

After many years’ experience gained in assisting retrenched employees, Derek and Ross Mengel have established that unemployed individuals don’t have the time or inclination to become embroiled in exhaustive dissertations on job search. Based on the premise that retrenchment is not the “end” of the road but, rather, a “bend” in the road, the book provides the reader with practical advice for the effective and speedy transition to a desired outcome through a journey of self-discovery and accomplishment.

Following the four phases of Separation, Preparation, Communication and Negotiation, this book also forms the foundation of DMA Group’s Outplacement & Career Transition programmes, conducted either remotely or in person, with individuals or groups of individuals who are affected by retrenchment.

New in this edition:

•An “Action Steps” section at the end of each chapter, helping the reader stay focused on completing important tasks as they navigate their way through career transition

•10 new sample “Summary” sections of a CV, aimed at assisting the reader with developing their own, to be used in their proactive and reactive job search techniques

•Exploring interim and temporary roles – understanding the benefits, to both individuals and prospective employers

•Starting your own business - What to consider when thinking of “going on your own”

•Making the most of LinkedIn, social media and job portals, as tools in career transition

•Some commonly asked interview questions and how they should be answered, including the P-A-R (Problem – Action – Result) approach

• Language: English
• Publisher: Derek Mengel
• Release date: Oct 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005533571

Book preview

A Bend In The Road

A Guide To Career Transition

Derek Mengel & Ross Mengel

Copyright © 2020 Derek Mengel & Ross Mengel

Published by Derek Mengel & Ross Mengel Publishing at Smashwords

First Edition 2010

Second Edition 2020

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Published by Author using Reach Publishers’ services,

P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

Website: www.reachpublishers.org

E-mail: [e-mail]

Edited by Gail Kruger for Reach Publishers

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

Illustrations by Julia Wilde

www.dma-group.co.za

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Chapter One

SEPARATION – A Bend in the Road

Understanding job security

Support systems

The job search curve

Progression strategies

Progression priorities

Self-assessment, achievements and key attributes

Identifying your achievements

Likes and dislikes – hidden keys to your happiness

How to begin

Things to think about

Finishing the exercise

New career destinations, goals and objectives

Financial matters and implications

Study your finances beforehand

Chapter 1: Separation - Exercise

Action steps: A Bend in the Road

Chapter Two

PREPARATION – New Horizons

Crafting a winning CV

The purpose of a CV

How to really impress the prospective employer

Focus on the prospective employer’s needs, not yours

A great CV has three sections

Section 1: The summary

Section 2: Affirmation

Section 3: Detail

Experience

Education and training

Professional affiliations

Personal interests

References

A few guidelines for a better presentation

Visually enticing

Absolutely no errors

Generous use of power words

Length

Verb person and tense

Accuracy/honesty/stretching the truth

Targeted research

Establishing a career blueprint

Picture the ideal first month in your next job

Considering interim or temporary opportunities

Considering self-employment

Chapter 2: Preparation - Exercise

Action steps: New Horizons

Chapter Three

COMMUNICATION – Enjoy the Ride

Applying the 4 P’s

The campaign begins

Reactive and proactive approaches to job searches

Agencies and recruitment consultants

How to identify recruitment consultants by speciality

How to use recruitment consultants

Responding to advertisements

Exercise: Responding to an advertisement

Making the net work

Starting your network

Record keeping

When to call / write to people

Before you write

Telephone techniques

How to set up a network meeting

Preparing for network meetings

Handling network meetings

After network meetings

Thank you letter

Honing your interview skills

Presentation

Preparation for the interview

Waiting for the interview

During the interview

Some commonly asked interview questions and how to answer them

What interviewers are looking for

Chapter 3: Communication - Exercise

Action steps: Enjoy the Ride

Chapter Four

NEGOTIATION – New Beginnings

Job offers and negotiation

The negotiation process

Congenial, rather than adverse

What to do when you receive an offer

Key questions to ask yourself

Potential negotiation points

Negotiation preparation

Key points to remember

The negotiating conversation

Accepting the offer

Rejecting the offer

Chapter 4: Negotiation - Exercise

Action steps: New Beginnings

Appendix 1

Financial Planning Form

Appendix 2

Power Verbs

Appendix 3

Examples of Letters

Letter of introduction

Job application

Thank you

Acceptance of offer

Rejection of offer

Appendix 4

Example of CV template

Appendix 5

Insights to Entrepreneurship

Acknowledgements

Established as a recruitment company in 1980, the DMA Group has evolved to offer a comprehensive selection of HR-related solutions to clients. Over the years, many individuals have benefited from the sourcing, retention and outplacement services offered by our organisation.

We have entitled this publication A Bend in the Road to emphasise our firm conviction that retrenchment is not the end of the road but, indeed, a bend in the road, an opportunity for exciting new beginnings and the realisation of a fulfilling career. Individuals who systematically apply the concepts outlined in this step-by-step approach will be guided from the first phase of Separation, through Preparation to Communication, finally arriving at Negotiation and the acceptance of a new and satisfying challenge.

Based on our experience, the average job seeker doesn’t have the time or inclination to become embroiled in exhaustive dissertations on job search. We have therefore attempted to provide the reader with a summary of what we see as the most pertinent concepts collected over the years, comfortable in the knowledge that in this, The Age of Knowledge, we have access to countless online resources. In particular, we would like to direct you to the following:

• www.1stopresume.com

• www.bradleycvs.co.uk

• www.careerjunction.co.za

• www.careerlab.com

• www.ehow.com

• www.gmarketing.com

• www.hiretowin.com

• www.linkedin.com

• www.monster.com

• www.office.microsoft.com

• www.pnet.co.za

• www.redandyellow.co.za

• www.rockportinstitute.com

Finally, we look forward to travelling with you on this journey of discovery and accomplishment.

Chapter One

SEPARATION – A Bend in the Road

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened up for us.

- Helen Keller -

Understanding job security

A stark reality of business today is that the concept of a job for life no longer exists, and that the quest for corporate efficiency – even survival – in the ever-changing competitive environment in which we find ourselves has overcome the time-honoured traditions of devotion, allegiance and shared loyalty between employers and staff.

Essentially, we as workers are self-employed, marketing our skills, knowledge and abilities to an organisation for as long as they are required. No longer is it anticipated that one should devote one’s entire working life to a company who, in return, will offer