What if this happened to you? A lesson in the value of mentoring

What if this happened to you?

You walked into your boss’s office today and he informed you that the company is downsizing and your position is being eliminated.  You get your severance package which includes the services of an outplacement firm and now you go home to tell your spouse, deal with the anxieties of being unemployed and looking for a new job. You don’t feel you can talk to anyone because you also feel that having been “deselected” (the new term for being fired or laid off) was somehow your fault.  You can now look forward to a long period of job hunting and a new job at possibly lower pay.

It could be different.  This is how.

You walk into your boss’s office and he informs you that the company is downsizing and your job is being eliminated.  You respond that you’re not surprised and have been anticipating it for some time and, in fact, have been campaigning actively for a new opportunity.  You express your thanks to your current boss for having had the opportunity to work for the company.  You review the severance package which seems in order and are now ready to move on. Before leaving your office, you make a call to your mentor.  He has been your mentor for several years and together you have been strategizing on finding another opportunity in anticipation of this moment.  You may not have a job but you already have several potential interviews as a result of contacts made through your mentor along with ideas he has given you on how to market yourself.  You agree to meet this evening to discuss how this latest development will impact your current campaign. It will give you an opportunity to get support from someone who has been with you through the ups and downs of a corporate career.  You may not have a job today but you have an ally who will be there for you and will smooth your transition to another position.

Mentoring is a valuable resource not only for your company, but also for each individual partaking in a business mentoring program. Want to learn more? Check out our free resources below: