INTOO’s on-demand coaching was instrumental in guiding Steven McIntosh to accept his role of Chief Officer for Education at the Tenement Museum.
Steven’s first experience using outplacement gave him in-the-moment know-how to proceed confidently with each step of his job search.
On taking his next step
When I was first laid off, I felt the weight of having to take charge of my job search process. There was stress around not wanting to approach things the wrong way which created a level of apprehension and doubt. One worry I had was that I’d been out of the job search game for nine years. Thinking about my resume, LinkedIn, and cover letters, I knew I needed to learn the current best practices, which is why I took the step of registering for the outplacement program my former employer offered me through INTOO.
“The coaches really helped me develop a level of confidence that allowed me to take the next step.”
On the emotional part of the job search
It was helpful to always have an expert available when I needed someone who could speak to my particular needs—and encourage me along the way—which helped me stay motivated and gave me more confidence that I wasn’t overlooking anything.
On the program’s live webinars
It was funny because it always seemed like whatever step was next for me, I’d get a coaching webinar invite from INTOO that covered that topic. The coach leading the webinars was great. She fielded a lot of questions and I learned things that I didn’t anticipate I’d learn.
On the interview process
I was in the candidacy process for three jobs. I had a job offer from one company, I was a final candidate and moving towards the last round of interviews at a second, and then was waiting for an offer for this third job that I was most interested in. Talking through it with a coach was helpful. I wondered if the offer was a leverage point. Do I go back to this employer who I’m excited for, but I don’t want to put pressure on? The coach was really helpful with plotting out the best course of action. She said, I know you really want to get an answer, but just write to them first, see how they respond, and if you don’t get a response by tomorrow, try giving them a call. All that proved to be really great advice. I wrote them, received a follow-up call from HR the next day, and in that call learned that I was a high-interest candidate. That gave me the confidence to decline the one job offer and pull myself from consideration of the second.
“Every time I followed the coach’s advice it turned out really well.”
On getting help to get out of his own way
When I got this job offer, I contacted a coach about whether to negotiate my offer or not. She asked me how I felt about the company and job. I said, I love the people—they’re super. She asked how I felt about the compensation and benefits. I told her they were in the range of what I was looking for. She said, if you’re feeling good about all this and you know there’s a trajectory to grow at the organization, it sounds like you got a really great opportunity. It was really helpful to have an external voice to confirm that.
“The coaches’ expertise, insights, and wisdom were really helpful—answering questions I didn’t even know to ask.”
INTOO offers a variety of outplacement programs suitable for every member of your organization. Our caring approach helps individuals take the next meaningful step in their careers. Contact us today to learn more.
