Coronavirus has made enormous changes to the way we go about our lives, both at work and at home. In the UK, 6.3 million workers have been furloughed to date. With more free time on our hands, we have started to ask ourselves important questions. Am I happy in my job? What kind of an employer do I want to work for? Are my career goals still the same as they were five or ten years ago? Career support services are perfectly placed to answer these questions.

Career change is a normal part of working life

UK workers change jobs every five years on average. And one of the most effective tools in finding the perfect role is career coaching – a solutions-focused approach to career change. Expert coaching teams like our partners Renovo and Chiumento offer one-to-one training sessions, maximising the chances of finding the right role.

Great career coaching looks at the whole picture. It will include practicalities like an updated CV and LinkedIn profile. But it will also cover the big questions like what situation you are in now and where you would want to be.

Getting back to work

The impact of coronavirus on the world’s job market cannot yet be fully assessed. According to a CIPD survey, 1 in 4 employers is expecting to make permanent redundancies. Losing a job is very rarely a positive experience but having ownership of the process and seeking support can help immensely.

One-to-one coaching is the basis of our career support. But it also features online resources like interview training, skills testing and career assessments. These benefits sit alongside some of the less obvious aspects of job-hunting. Take the one-year programme for community members who have been out of work for some time. Here, the focus is not just on next career steps but also on the motivation to find work. For those who have been out of work only a short time, there is a programme offering nine hours of one-on-one career coaching and access to full online support for a year.

Still working but not happy?

A job loss is only one reason for a career move. And where circumstances allow, most of us will strive to improve our working lives. Looking for a better suited role before leaving the current one is one way to do that. So, we have made sure there is career support for this scenario too.

This programme looks at the obstacles preventing people from moving on, whether they be external or self-imposed. As with all career support, there is help with CV and LinkedIn, and six hours of career coaching. We also include 24/7 wellbeing support and access to counsellors. This helps safeguard the mental health of our community members going through the huge transition that job-searching can be.

Mental health benefits of work

Recent research from University of Cambridge suggests that working provides measurable mental health benefits. Improved mood, higher confidence and a sense of belonging are just a few of the positives. In fact, just eight hours of work each week leads to a 30% improvement in general mental health. So, it’s worth finding a role that puts our skills to good use, offers healthy challenges, and holds meaning.

With different levels of career support accessible online and over the phone, we are funding this service for all IET members and their families. Get in touch with us now.