Finding Help for Major Career Issues
There are so many job issues facing us these days – threats of layoffs, no merit increases, toxic work environments or a bad job fit. But who is the best resource to consult for help when it’s more than you can handle? In Part I, I discussed using your personal support system (friends, family, parents & co-worker/friends). Today, I’m looking at the pros and cons of using a professional network, including your boss.
Boss
Pros:
· A good supervisor knows (you hope!) your job specs. and has a more global view of the company than you do.
· Your boss knows your strengths/weaknesses and might offer specific strategies or solutions to tackle your issue.
Cons:
* If your relationship with your boss is problematic, telling him you are having issues could put you at risk.
* Your boss could pass the buck to HR and then your issue is more public and you’ve also entered a potentially unsafe area.
Co-workers/Associates
Pros:
* You share a knowledge-base about the company.
* They are often people you trust to whom you can safely crab about your job.
Cons:
* They may be having their own struggles and can’t be objective or supportive.
* You could end up in an adversarial position.
If you are experiencing so much stress over your job issue that it is interfering with your functioning, seeing a counselor might be indicated. Many therapists are trained Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providers who are very familiar with helping patients navigate difficult work situations. But any experienced, licensed therapist will be beneficial and also rule out whether you might be experiencing depression, etc.
Psychotherapists
Pros:
* Trained in stress-management techniques.
* Your confidentiality will be maintained.
* A totally objective viewpoint could be helpful.
Cons:
* Counseling can be expensive.
Sometimes the ideal professional to assist you is a career or work coach. A job search is one of the areas in which coaches are best qualified to help. Career coach Julia Erickson offers, “A job search is probably the most ‘alone’ thing one can do in terms of work. Family and friends all are rooting for you, yet also can put tremendous pressure on you to do it their way or at least find the next job FAST! Plus very few people have experience in what works most effectively to help you land a job and keep up your spirits while looking.”
Career Coach
Pros:
* Trained in strategies that are most effective in dealing with job issues, such as interviewing techniques.
* Have vast experience and access to both a broad range and specific information about various job markets and industries.
Cons:
* Coaching may not be affordable to everyone.
So, be circumspect in choosing who to help you through a major job issue. Finding the right “fit” should alleviate stress and facilitate a solution.
Coming soon: “How to Find the Best Career Coach for You”
This is a post by Nancy LaFever. You can read more from her at the Centre for Emotional Wellbeing blog.
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