|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Manufacturing layoffs across Canada are making headlines every week. Behind each announcement are real people trying to figure out what comes next.
Through our work supporting jobseekers across North America, including displaced manufacturing workers, we’ve had the chance to hear directly from people navigating difficult transitions. This has given us the opportunity to learn the type of support they need to be successful.
Here are some of the lessons we learned along the way:
Job support cannot wait
When so many jobseekers need resume help at once, it’s inevitable that some had to wait for their appointments. All the while, job postings are being listed and filled, especially at competitive companies.
For example, one jobseeker wanted to apply at a plant the same day the posting came out. Instead of waiting days for an appointment, he used our resume-building tool to draft a resume and cover letter in about 30 minutes. Getting started immediately meant he could apply early and improve his chances of securing an interview.
Why is this important for career practitioners? Jobseekers need to get started right away. Having simple tools that start their transition even before the first appointment can make a big difference.
Building confidence
Many workers with long-term manufacturing careers hadn’t made a resume in years. Using the software meant that their outdated or poorly formatted resume could quickly be updated with clean formatting and clearer bullet points.
Most of these workers already had strong skills, such as:
- Problem-solving
- Safety procedures
- Equipment operation
- Meeting production goals
- Training others
They didn’t need to start over. They just needed to translate those skills into language employers understood, in a format that matched current expectations.
Confidence often grew as workers saw more polished versions of their resume. They became more engaged in the process. Even though they came with the intention of applying for a single job, they ended up creating multiple resumes for different roles.
Why this matters: When jobseekers see quick results, it increases confidence and they become easier to coach.
Fear results in hesitation
Jobseekers were hesitant. There’s no question about this. Some were uncertain about using resume-building tools, others were hesitant about newer technology, and a few were uncomfortable using a computer at all.
The hesitation wasn’t limited to any age group. We saw this among younger jobseekers who had never written a resume as well as older workers who hadn’t needed one in decades.
What helped overcome the hurdle? Human support. We provided live phone and email support, as well as detailed webinars. What we learned is that everyone responded differently: some preferred the personal touch of a phone call, while others were comfortable with a knowledge base or email. The key was meeting each person through the channel that worked best for them.
Why it matters: When jobseekers feel supported, resistance turns into engagement.
Accessibility increases usage
Accessible tools are key to program success. We started with a simple interface, with the goal of helping users download a completed resume quickly. We purposely designed the tool to be mobile-friendly and we succeeded. The majority of resumes were created on mobile devices. Many people prefer tools they can use on their phones rather than sitting at a desktop computer.
It’s equally important to find tools designed with features that don’t need long tutorials or extended help. Having functionality that just works out of the box gives jobseekers the momentum to keep building. The less training required, the more likely people are to use the tool.
Why it matters: Mobile-friendly tools increase usage and reduce training time, allowing practitioners to easily support more clients.
Key takeaways
Working closely with jobseekers has taught us a lot. If you provide career services, some of these points could also help you serve your clients better:
- Easy-to-use tools help jobseekers engage with support technology
- Jobseekers benefit from seeing results quickly
- Tools should be simple, mobile-friendly and welcoming
- Reassurance can be as important as guidance
- Small wins help build confidence during transitions
Displaced workers are not lost; they are in transition. Providing a quick path back into the job market helps workers regain a sense of control. The goal is not to reinvent workers, but to help them recognize the value of the experience they already bring and move back into the job market with momentum.
