“Losing your job comes in at number three on the list of life-changing events. People like to keep uncertainty to a minimum in their lives wherever possible and can start to feel anxious if they are unable to avoid it. I help employees who are facing redundancy to take their first steps towards finding new careers. I do this based on my many years of experience as an HR specialist and on personal experience too: I was made redundant myself in 2015 – after 17 years with the same employer. I know what it feels like, which enables me to empathise with other people in the same position. I often use the lessons learnt in my presentations to employees who are facing redundancy.
Arco Plomp – Employability Coach
The great thing about my job is the satisfaction I feel when someone finds the perfect new job. I’m a real people’s person and love working with others to help them achieve their goals. I find that personal, individual coaching is the best tool to use here, underpinned by the great, modern philosophy that Implicit has developed in this respect. We don’t focus on just one single aspect of the individual, but approach coaching on the basis of seven different dimensions. Everyone is different: one person might need peace and stability, while another will want to know how his financial future will be affected. Some people will need help to grow their networks, while others will literally need help to get themselves started. I swear by cycling myself; it keeps me fit. I meditate too, which I find inspires me and helps me feel more tranquil.
I have been working at Implicit for half a year now and focus mainly on employee outflow. People often think this is a difficult field, but I don’t think it is. If you can make sure that people are able to leave an organisation with dignity and on the basis of a constructive approach, they will usually gain something positive from the experience. That’s what I like to show: that people are able to change and improve things. Saying goodbye is difficult and situations like that are emotionally charged, but people are often amazingly resilient too.
If there was anything that I could teach people, it would be to believe in yourself. Believe that you will find a new job and don’t just take the first one that comes along; that’s a big mistake that people often make. You might have money in your pocket if you do, but you won’t be doing the work that you enjoy. Take the time to carefully consider which direction you want your career to take. I like to be there to support people and help them find the perfect new job for them.”