Employees often only consider their other options when they are no longer in the right place, or when a position is forced to disappear. With preventive career guidance, the employee is already thinking about the possibilities on the labor market, especially if it is not yet immediately necessary. You can think of it as a kind of Check Up, but for your career. You reflect on questions such as: What kind of work do I like to do? What am I good at? Will I still be able to do my current job in 5 years? And that is not only valuable when necessary, but has many more benefits for the employee and the employer.

Unexpected changes

It is important for the employee to know where job opportunities lie, because in life unexpected changes can occur that are beyond your control:

• Developments in the labor market: jobs changing or being automated;
• Policy adjustments or a merger at the current employer;
• Changes in personal life such as illness, resignation or a move;
• Changes in interests, ambitions or skills.

At such times the employee can be flexible because he or she has already thought about the possibilities in other work looking at interests, qualities, qualifications and work experience.

Instead, it is important for employers to encourage employees to think about their own qualities, ambitions and possibilities in work. Employees are more motivated in the workplace because they are aware of the reasons why the current position is appropriate. In addition, an employee is more likely to take action on their own initiative to get a job that fits the changed situation, which may be within the current company or outside. This can prevent absenteeism.

Knowledge is power

The more the employee learns about what companies are nearby, what positions are possible, what the employee needs to do to broaden opportunities and what their aspirations are, the more flexibly they can respond to changes.

Take the example of Rianne, formerly a teaching assistant at a child care center. The range of duties combined with her drive to perform the work very precisely caused Rianne a lot of stress and pressure. Preventive career counseling made Rianne more aware of her own career by exploring interests and qualities. Rianne discovered that she can only use some of her qualities in her current job and that her interest lies in healthcare.

During the process, she investigates whether her current job can be made to fit or whether there is another job that might be a better fit. Rianne does some research and finds that physician assistants, one of the professions that came out of the interest test, are in high demand. Her quality to work accurately fits within this position much better than childcare. Rianne starts talking to different schools and decides to train as a physician's assistant. By talking to the people and companies in her area, she finds a paid internship with the prospect of a permanent position in a doctor's office.

How to do Puls that?

The consultants of Puls map out his or her possibilities and ambitions together with the employee. We then look at the current work situation and the possibilities to achieve those ambitions; in the current or in another job. How can the employee make the right career decision? Through interviews and assessments, the employee is put on the right track.

Preventive career counseling for your employees

Do you want to give your employees the opportunity to further explore their possibilities and qualities, so that they are aware of this and remain motivated? Please contactPuls. We would be happy to discuss the possibilities with you.