The initial step in the consulting process is to analyze and define the corporate clients’ needs, concerns, specific objectives and cost considerations. A consulting strategy is then developed to best meet these identified objectives.

Pre-separation consulting with management and/or human resources is recommended to minimize the possible adverse effects of the termination. It is a time to plan and schedule the termination(s), and to develop effective communications for implementing the outplacement process and to assist in maintaining the morale and productivity of the remaining workforce.

Outplacement/Career Transition training consists of providing the necessary knowledge one must have to conduct a successful job search including the development of communication skills and a positive mental attitude. These elements, combined with the identification clarification of a suitable target, will enable the participant to approach the job search process and realistically and with a minimum amount of stress.

Participants complete a self-inventory to identify their strengths. They learn how to translate these strengths to meet the needs of a new employer. They will develop a resume and a marketing plan. Their counselor will assist them with refining their marketing plan to incorporate strategies that will lead to offers of employment. Negotiating a better offer and job search management are also part of our programs.

These tools can be presented in a variety of ways including counseling program participants outside the Ann Arbor area. In recent years we have counseled individuals in Adrian, Hillsdale, Tecumseh, Jackson, Lansing, Flint, Port Huron, West Branch, Grayling, and Charlevoix.

Our Career Transition Programs are customer designed to meet the budget and time requirements of the corporate client as well as the individual needs of the program participants. The following describes some of our more popular programs. Customized programs are also an option.

• Group Outplacement
• Management And Professional Programs
• Senior Executive Program
• Co-Managed Individual System^TM
• Relocating Spouse Vocational Program
• PowerSearch^TM
• OI Solutions
• Talent Bank

Programs vary in length and are designed to provide participants with all of the tools necessary to organize and implement an effective job search campaign. Subjects discussed include:

• Dealing with the frustration and anger associated with job loss
• Introduction to the job search process
• Self-assessment to identify marketable skills, knowledge and personal characteristics
• Establishment of suitable job target
• Resume construction and use
• Prospecting and lead development including an introduction to networking
• Communications and interviewing
• Job search management

Individual counseling can be provided to finalize resume, fine tune marketing strategy and interview role-play. Telephone follow-up counseling is also available.

These programs are designed for professional and mid-level management who require individual counseling and office access. Services are provided up to one year with telephone counseling available until placement. Program includes:

• One-on-one counseling
• Dealing with the frustration and anger associated with job loss
• Self assessment and analysis of values, interest, and marketable skills
• Administration of personality/interest assessments
• Office support with access to personal computers
• Printed resumes and letterhead stationery
• Networking and marketing techniques and strategies
• Communication skills, video interviews and phone techniques
• Career search management
• Talent Bank inclusion
• Access to in-house library, and data/information computer programs

This confidential, dynamic program guides the Executive to a new career opportunity. Spouses are also supported and encouraged to participate. Features of this program include:

• Unlimited one-on-one counseling with a Senior Associate
• Financial counseling with a Certified Financial Planner
• Personal assessment with a trained professional specialized in the identification of marketable assets and career options
• Private office space along with full support services including access to personal computers, long distance telephone, voice mail, fax, and postage expenses
• Resume development and preparation
• Networking and marketing techniques and strategies
• Communication skills, video interviews and telephone techniques
• Entrepreneurial business counseling
• Career search management
• Talent Bank inclusion
• Access to in-house library and data/information programs

A unique, proprietary product designed to quickly empower individuals in their job search while meeting the budget requirements of the Corporate Client. Candidate and counselor jointly determine specific outplacement services from the following “menu:”

• Individual one-on-one counseling
• Office use and administrative services
• Application and interpretation of aptitude/interest and/or personality type assessment instruments
• Multi-media self-study program (PowerSearch™)

An effective job search and lead development program specifically designed to assist the spouse of relocating employees in a job search. It incorporates the most current career search principles and practices. The program includes:

• Counseling to provide the necessary skills, knowledge, area resources, and level of self-confidence needed to enter the job market as quickly and effectively as possible
• Job leads and distribution of credentials to area employers and job search firms
• Entrepreneurial counseling if desired
• Copy of Career Counseling Handbook and related materials

An integrated, customized, multi-media, self-paced course on successful job transition. Program designed for individuals who do not have ready access to Outplacement/Career Transition offices and can be integrated with OI Solutions. Program features:

• Individual counseling
• One-hour DVD tailored for a specific job function
• A six-cassette audio course
• Synchronized Workbook/Reference Guide

An on-line career transition private access website where program participants can manage their career transition campaign. OI Solutions offers features such as Organization/Research Tools, Skills Training, Resume Tools, and more...

Talent Bank is a publication that has been published monthly for several years. It is distributed to several hundred area companies. All of our program participants are eligible to submit their profiles.