Escaping the specialist trap

Andrew, a senior manager with a specialised skill set in a particular industry sector, had been made redundant and was struggling to find a new role in a narrow market. Over a number of sessions he was able to recognise that he enjoyed many of the sales support aspects of a previous role and could possibly do that in another context. Through identifying his skills and motivations more clearly, as opposed to purely his experience, he gained the confidence to consider and present himself for these roles. A key aspect was to help him change the way he spoke about himself and use a broader vocabulary, which was helped by rewriting the CV. Telephone support and encouragement over a six month period helped him remain positive and he was pleased to be offered a suitable, broader position in a growing company much nearer home.