By Heather Powell
We make a living by helping clients transitioning into new careers. But what about our own ability to adapt? The new Employment Service Model in Ontario has challenged us to “walk the talk.”
Career practitioners spend the majority of their time guiding clients through the transitions and challenges that come with unemployment: the emotional ups-and-downs that hit the ego when losing a job, creating job search materials, preparing for interviews, being rejected from opportunities or never hearing back at all. We provide words of comfort and guidance when faced with statements like, “I just wish I was still working. Everything would be fine if it wasn’t for the company closing,” or “I don’t know why they let me go. It’s not fair, I worked so hard,” and of course, “I feel like I am too old/overqualified/under-qualified to find a new job. No one wants me!” We respond by reaching into our toolbox of counselling techniques and provide support, positive feedback and suggestions. We tell them, “You can’t change the labour market, you can only adapt.”