Page 127 - Marky Stein - Fearless Career Change_ The Fast Track to Success in a New Field (2004)

Ten Success Stories About People Just Like You

As it turns out, Tom’s position was eliminated as the result of
the merger several months later, and he found himself without an
office, a title, or a paycheck. Tom had hoped to work at least a few
years longer. This was too early, even for an early retirement.
Fortunately, he left with an excellent severance package (a sev-
erance package may include cash, extended benefits, or other
perks) and the use of free outplacement services to help him find
a new position. Outplacement companies employ career coun-
selors who assist entry-level to executive employees in managing
their careers, particularly after a downsizing. The company that
carried out the layoff pays their fees, and there is no charge for the
downsized employees who attend.
Tom decided to take full advantage of the outplacement ser-
vices, which included workshops, seminars, and individual career
coaching. At some point, Tom’s coach posed the possibility that
with Tom’s background and transferable talents from human
resources, he might be an excellent candidate for becoming an
outplacement consultant himself.
Tom jumped on the idea because he liked the possibility of the
freedom the position promised. He could work on call for an out-
placement company teaching seminars and coaching other execu-
tives and build a business on the side as a career coach (very simi-
lar to an outplacement consultant) in an independent private prac-
tice. He was free at any time to turn down work with the outplace-
ment company without negative consequences. He would have
some control over his flow of private clients, and he could there-
fore take off for a vacation whenever he wished. He could have the
best of retirement—freedom and leisure—and the best of the
working world—a high hourly fee, stimulating colleagues, and a
prestigious title with a good company.
He found that, unlike his other unpleasant experiences in
interviewing, the outplacement industry actually seemed to value
his know-how and maturity. He interviewed with three companies
in Atlanta, Georgia, and he received two offers. He accepted the
offer with the highest pay scale. The company had a short and
straightforward paid training program that lasted only two days.
He then did a very short four-day internship wherein he
observed other coaches teaching seminars, while he got some prac-
tice teaching in front of a live audience. He was then certified as a
consultant for that company. He started work the next week. Tom

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