Candidate Bounces Back Strong in Ailing Industry
Margie Allen is a ball of energy, and an amazing testimony to what can happen when you follow the advice and use the resources available in CPI’s outplacement programs. After 22 years in the retail apparel industry, Allen’s high energy and hard work had earned her the rank of regional director with a major retailer. Her entire career had been spent with the same company, so the downsizing on June 20, 2008 that sent her scrambling for a new job was especially devastating. Her resume – typewritten and faded – was an antiquity of no value.
During the final weeks at the retailer, Allen made it a point to begin visiting the offices of CPI partner firm Torchiana, Mastrov & Sapiro (TMS) in the San Francisco Bay area to take advantage of their outplacement program. “I was pleasantly surprised by both the professional office setting and finding myself in the presence of many other high caliber professionals – all of them victims of troubled economic times,” said Margie. While many hailed from other industries such as banking and investments, they developed a special camaraderie as outplacement candidates.
One that appeared on Allen’s list was a well-recognized catalog retailer. Not long afterward, Allen read that the retailer had plans to open stores. Allen was pleasantly surprised that the voice of a former employee greeted her at the catalog retailer as she pursued the opportunity. With razor-edged focus and advice from Truex, Allen quickly submitted a consulting proposal and landed a 3-month gig. She saw them through the opening of their first store – with complete responsibility for hiring and training the staff. Allen said, “I almost amazed myself with the speed at which I started my own retail consulting business with coaching from Sharon.”
Prospects in the industry were going from bad to worse, but Allen remained hopeful. Truex says, “Margie made regular appearances at the TMS office and networking events, and I never saw her when she wasn’t upbeat and hopeful.” Opportunities opened, but not in the right area. Yet, Allen kept working her network. As it turns out, the transitions and shake-ups resulting from the economic downturn were the very thing that led to a perfect opening for Allen. Since February 2009, Allen has been employed as district manager at another major apparel retailer – doing all the things she dearly loved in her previous position. One knows from the enthusiasm in her voice that she has landed splendidly. And no matter how busy she gets, it’s a safe bet that Allen will keep her network active, helping those even as they helped her during her quest for a new position.
During the final weeks at the retailer, Allen made it a point to begin visiting the offices of CPI partner firm Torchiana, Mastrov & Sapiro (TMS) in the San Francisco Bay area to take advantage of their outplacement program. “I was pleasantly surprised by both the professional office setting and finding myself in the presence of many other high caliber professionals – all of them victims of troubled economic times,” said Margie. While many hailed from other industries such as banking and investments, they developed a special camaraderie as outplacement candidates.
Rediscovery and Self-Validation
TMS outplacement consultant Sharon Truex said, “Margie’s positive mental attitude and commitment to executing the things she learned during the program were major factors in her success.” Truex, who once worked retail herself, questioned Allen about her ongoing focus on finding a new position in retail – an industry that was continuing in a downward spiral. She advised Allen that her skills could quite successfully be transferred to another industry. Allen says that it soon became apparent to her that while retail had never “flowed” in Truex’s blood, it was indeed her own lifeblood and passion – not just a place where she’d grown comfortable. This revelation was one that came about during the self-assessment and updating of Allen’s resume, a two-month process that Truex and Allen worked on together. The process helped Allen emerge with greater confidence and focus about who she is and what she wanted moving forward in her career.Making the Most of Every Opportunity
Allen cited the resume assistance, the job-sourcing websites, and webinars that taught her technology as especially useful aspects of the TMS program. “I also prized the one-on-one counseling and support from Sharon as I pursued each lead I came across, ” said Allen. Following advice from TMS, Allen wrote down the names of companies she most admired and learned more about them.One that appeared on Allen’s list was a well-recognized catalog retailer. Not long afterward, Allen read that the retailer had plans to open stores. Allen was pleasantly surprised that the voice of a former employee greeted her at the catalog retailer as she pursued the opportunity. With razor-edged focus and advice from Truex, Allen quickly submitted a consulting proposal and landed a 3-month gig. She saw them through the opening of their first store – with complete responsibility for hiring and training the staff. Allen said, “I almost amazed myself with the speed at which I started my own retail consulting business with coaching from Sharon.”
One Door Closes, But a Window Opens
Both Allen and Truex were hopeful that the catalog retailer’s opportunity and successful first store opening could turn into a longer-term consulting opportunity or a permanent position. Given the state of the economy, though, the company temporarily shelved its plans to open additional stores. Fortunately, Allen had continued to cycle through her list of 50 people to network with – also advice she had received from TMS. The list included connections she had made in her most admired companies list.Prospects in the industry were going from bad to worse, but Allen remained hopeful. Truex says, “Margie made regular appearances at the TMS office and networking events, and I never saw her when she wasn’t upbeat and hopeful.” Opportunities opened, but not in the right area. Yet, Allen kept working her network. As it turns out, the transitions and shake-ups resulting from the economic downturn were the very thing that led to a perfect opening for Allen. Since February 2009, Allen has been employed as district manager at another major apparel retailer – doing all the things she dearly loved in her previous position. One knows from the enthusiasm in her voice that she has landed splendidly. And no matter how busy she gets, it’s a safe bet that Allen will keep her network active, helping those even as they helped her during her quest for a new position.
