Call it a Job Coach, Employment Advisor, Case Manager or Employment Coach, ultimately the responsibility of such a profession is to work closely with job seekers to find sustainable employment and have the support, guidance and tools needed to prepare for work, apply for work, interview well, commence employment and maintain their job. But more often than not, I see professionals in this line of work too focused on the case management side of things and not focused enough on the actual act of marketing a job seeker to an employer, coaching them to succeed in an interview and be able to deal with workplace politics and issues that arise in the course of employment.
I am a firm believer in the 80/20 rule. 80% of what we do, produces 20% of the results. So by focusing all your skills, knowledge and expertise in doing that 20% really well, you will be sure to succeed and deliver employment services in a quality manner with sustainable, long term outcomes at a high level of performance.
A true Employment Consultant will recognise this and seek to research, learn and study the art of finding a job and progressing further in their chosen field of employment. This is someone who reads books on finding a job, who listens to employers, seeks understand the job seeker and what their valuable skills and experience are and how they can market this to prospective employers. This is someone who takes an active interest in this industry and does not see it as simply a 9-5 job.
These are what I think are the top 10 skills any Employment Consultant needs to be able to succeed:
A good understanding and knowledge of how to market a job seeker to an employer and match the job seeker's skills with what the employer is looking for.
Good understanding of the labour market and where the demand is. Where the jobs really are.
Superior communication skills and confidence.
Strong ability to assert one's self to others.
Strong proficiency in finding jobs and drawing out those jobs from the unadvertised jobs market - cold calling.
Someone who can deal with set backs and move forward.
Good understanding of compliance and guidelines/service standards.
Knowledge of appropriate software
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport effectively
Able to engage with and support job seekers to ensure full engagement.
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Author: Matthew Coppola, Client Centric Executive Employment Solutions
Holding a graduate degree in Commerce, majoring in Economics at Curtin University, as well as a post graduate certificate in Career Education and Development at RMIT University, Matthew brings with him more than 6 years experience working in the fields of business development, marketing, soft-skills training and employment services industry. He has gained significant exposure in working with employers in sourcing staff as well as assisting jobseekers in promoting and marketing themselves to employers and securing sustainable employment outcomes. He is currently working in Disability Employment Services where he assists clients with mental health disabilities in finding and keeping satisfying and gainful employment and helping them overcome and work around barriers to employment.
He has helped many job seekers secure employment by training and coaching them in the art of being interviewed and giving the interviewer a positive and lasting impression. He knows how to sell and market a job seeker to an employer and he imparts this knowledge to his clients in helping them sell and market themselves in an interview.
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