Home Extras Interviews Outplacement can also benefit executives
Outplacement can also benefit executives
Luk Herten, from Vice-President via outplacement to self-employment:
The listening ear of a consultant works wonders
Luk Herten was Vice-President at Norgine when the illusion that he could remain in this position for a long time was shattered in 2009. Like many of his colleagues Herten was struck by a worldwide restructuring and was obliged to look for another job. He soon made up his mind to launch a self-employed activity, however, the fact that he may well need some help in doing so seemed quite far-fetched. Luckily there was the obligation to attend outplacement coaching and to use the services of Acerta Consult for executives.
With regard to the compulsory outplacement for over-45s you immediately think of those affected by collective redundancies or workers and employees who work in a niche sector in which it is hard to find work. People often forget that executives in our society can also benefit from high quality career coaching after dismissal. The affected manager himself is not immune from this. Luk Herten says that initially he wondered what outplacement coaching could do for him: “During my career I had gone through stacks of CVs and recruited many employees…. Surely, there was little more for me to learn in this area? Moreover, I was considering launching a self-employed activity. Consequently, I dismissed tips on how to apply for a job as a waste of time. However, I had been given a budget for a full outplacement programme and wondered how I could spend it efficiently. I surveyed the market and opted for Acerta Consult. I was invited for an exploratory interview. On the basis of my objectives and specific requirements my future consultant elaborated a customized programme for me.”
Only the essentials
The customized programme Acerta Consult submitted to Luk Herten took into account precisely what the executive was aiming for: “The focus was on the fiscal and administrative support I needed to launch my self-employed activity, a field in which Acerta excels. The budget also provided for a training course that fitted in with my professional objectives. As I did not find what I was looking for in the fixed offer of Acerta Consult, we jointly opted for a course in interim management at the Vlerick Management School.
The standard services were also adapted to my specific plans for the future. An interview with a senior executive searcher evolved into a discussion about a possible partnership. Instead of discussing my CV with regard to a specific position, we looked into the business opportunities in my specialty field he could possibly entrust to me in the future as a self-employed consultant.
Furthermore, the strengths and weaknesses analysis of my competency profile was completed individually. I really didn’t need to be screened yet again. On the strength of all my prior assessment reports the consultant made a synthesis and highlighted the elements that were really relevant for my career plans. I have known my MBTI type for years and here also we looked into my profile in the light of my specific career plans.”
Benefits of the Acerta network
Luk Herten gradually experienced more benefits of his ‘compulsory’ outplacement: “It allowed me to be included in Acerta’s network. I continue to be invited to attend workshops at executive level in which the personal development of the Cx0 is paramount. Sometimes highly concrete themes are discussed like the use of social media in a business context, or we discuss how to profile yourself for head-hunters. We also discuss issues such as stress management, the use of emotional intelligence in job application interviews, the impact of dismissal on the partner relationship or how you can exude certain competencies and values via your business outfit. Here also Acerta Consult always opts for a personal approach based on the executive’s environment. My outplacement experience has taught me that getting support in your search for a new professional challenge is not an unnecessary luxury. At executive level you obviously don’t require a standard programme, however, I found that ‘career guidance’ optimally tuned to your specific needs represents a major added value. I also greatly appreciated the listening ear of my outplacement consultant: at a moment in your career when you are obliged to do some soul-searching, it is quite helpful to have someone who will listen with an open mind and hold up an honest mirror to you.”
