OI Partners

  • 3 Signs You're at Risk for a Layoff

    May 18, 2013

    by Steve Harvey, OI Partners - The McGuire Group

    In our career transition, outplacement business, people often tell us they felt blindsided by a layoff.

    How can you avoid being surprised by a layoff notice? 3 signs you're at risk for a layoff

    The following three things can help tip you off that something may be coming down the road:

    1. Diminished workload – few new assignments coming in

    2. Less communication and contact from your boss than in prior weeks and months

    3. Financial performance by your company or division that fell below expectations

    Every employee should maintain their network even while employed to be prepared for these ‘beyond-your-control’ circumstances. If a layoff does happen to you, remember that outplacement support is something you should consider in order to help you move past the loss and help catapult your career to the next step.

    Next week, we look at reasons why a layoff can sometimes be a blessing in disguise.

    In the meantime, let us know your experience. Do you have other tips that indicate a layoff is imminent?


    If you need career transition services--whether you are an Organization or an Individual--please contact OI Partners today!

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    outplacement career transition career transition services layoff

  • How to Ask for a LinkedIn Recommendation

    May 07, 2013

    by Patrick Lynch

    The recommendation section on the LinkedIn profile is one of the best marketing tools available for professionals looking to build trust, credibility and interest. how to ask for a linkedin recommendation

    Why should you ask for a recommendation?

    A LinkedIn recommendation – especially a quality one from a past manager from a recognized industry expert – provides a reader/recruiter with immediate feedback regarding the skills and achievements you have outlined in your profile. Recommendations are important because they are the only part of your profile that you do not write yourself. Getting recommendations also helps you increase your LinkedIn presence because your recommendation will also show up on the profile of the person who recommended you.

    How do I get recommendations?

    Many people feel uncomfortable asking for recommendations. One way to get past this is to first write a recommendation for someone else. This is a much easier approach and LinkedIn provides an easy way for the other person to return the favor and write a recommendation for you.

    Do not look at asking for a recommendation as being bothersome to the other person. Approach someone in a genuine way – much like you would do in a networking situation – and ask them for  help and give them a reason why (job search, completing my profile, starting a business, etc.) You will find that people are open and very willing to help. You just need to ask.

    What are the mechanics of asking for a recommendation?

    The most efficient way to ask for a recommendation is from the Request Recommendations selection that you can find under the Profile tab on your LinkedIn home page.

    There will then be three selection tabs from which to choose. Choose the Request Recommendations tab.

    LinkedIn will take you through a three-step process:

    1. Choose what you want ...

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    LinkedIn recommendation

  • 3 Signs You're an Ineffective Leader

    April 23, 2013

    By Mary Ann Gontin

    You have the title, you have solid experience in your field, and you know that senior management is expecting you to get results. However, you have this nagging feeling that your team is not taking you seriously. Here are some signs that you are an ineffective leader:3 signs you're an ineffective leader

    1. You request information but no one responds in a timely manner

    2. You call a meeting but soon lose control of the direction

    3. You tell people what to do but what they produce is not what you asked

    In my coaching and talent development work, the above three complaints are very common with those who are new to leadership roles. Here are ways to correct them:

    1. Effective leaders set clear deadlines. Too many people say “get this to me ASAP.” What does that mean? For an employee who is in the middle of several other things, ASAP can mean a week from now. Tell someone when you need it and why you need it by that deadline. But be sure it’s a “true deadline.” Nothing will annoy people more – and have them lose trust in you – if you create a false deadline. Staff members don’t want to work through lunch and cancel evening plans to get something done for you and then find out you took the next day off to play golf. They won’t believe your next critical deadline demand. 

    2. Effective leaders prepare and distribute an agenda for every meeting. If you are expecting to make decisions in that meeting, let people know so they can prepare and be ready to discuss.  Ask someone in the meeting to be the timekeeper and empower them to signal the group with a 2-minute warning as the time allotted for a topic is ending ...

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    manager leader leadership management leadership development leadership consulting services

  • 13 Things that Can Damage Your Career

    April 18, 2013

    With hiring on hold for now and employers increasingly wary of whether another economic slowdown is in store, employees should be extra cautious to avoid committing anything that may damage your career.13 career killers

    For the past few years, a spurt in hiring and business at the beginning of the year has been followed by a slowdown and cutbacks.

    “Employees should be cautious of committing any 'career killers' in this uncertain business climate. The list of items that could potentially harm one's career has been steadily expanding along with technological innovations in our inter-connected world," said Patty Prosser, chair of OI Partners, a leading outplacement and executive coaching firm. "While some of these mistakes may not totally wreck your career, they certainly can derail your employment at your current job."

    OI Partners has compiled a list of career killers for employees to avoid:

    1. Clock watching. This includes stopping work before your proper quitting time and intentionally working at a slow pace to avoid more work. “This behavior sends a message that you feel you are on your own time after work and you don't want to be bothered by telephone calls or emails after quitting time. It is increasingly risky to do this and not become branded a ‘9 to 5 employee’ who can’t or won’t handle responsibility well,” said Prosser.

    2. Sitting on your hands. Employees who do this fail to report problems they are aware of or suggest solutions to them.

    3. Disclosing confidential information. This conduct comprises offering privileged information to a potential employer during an interview, posting it to social media and with friends or co-workers.  This behavior may in fact be illegal and carry civil or monetary penalties.

    4. Using social media to bad-mouth employers. “There is a growing list of employees who have been terminated ...

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    career killers outplacement executive coaching careers career coach

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The vOIce is written by many of the managing partners of OI Partners. Topics include our ideas on how you or your organization can be effective in areas related to career development, executive development, workforce development, career transition and more.


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