SIM Philadelphia Chapter
- Best Practices Series -
Transition Membership Program
Overview
Summary
The SIM Transition Membership Program (TMP) was created to support SIM members through their search for employment. Members in transition (“Participants”) are defined as members who are currently not employed or who know they will not be employed within the next three months because their company is downsizing or closing. SIM TMP provides a focused process to help members in transition leverage the value of the SIM network and resources in their quest for a new challenge.
Program Rationale
Going through career transition can be a very challenging and difficult process, but also one that can be very liberating. It can be a great opportunity for participants to take a fresh look at what they really want to be doing with their career, what activities they are good at doing, and what they really enjoy doing. Beyond simply providing a good source of job leads and advice, the SIM Transition Membership Program provides validation that career transition is a normal and common experience that all of us go through in the course of our careers.
Benefits
An additional avenue for Participants to pursue new career opportunities
Provides Participants with an opportunity to learn about new fields of endeavor
Participants receive confirmation that this is a normal and expected part of professional life
Upon identification of a need, companies may forward job-opening descriptions to the Transition Leader who will then circulate to the current Participants
Provides a mechanism for companies to obtain highly qualified professionals, sans recruiting fees, while minimizing risk by dealing with known individuals
Complies with the SIM "no solicitation" policy by having Participants contact recruiters and companies directly upon receiving job-opening descriptions voluntarily provided by the companies
Transition Team
Participant (“Member in Transition”): SIM member who is currently not employed or who knows they will not be employed within the next three months because their company is downsizing or closing.
Transition Leader: Lead person designated to head the transition program. In 2008: Robin Schroeder ()
Fielder: Volunteers who act as a primary contact to provide continuity for the Participants with the Transition Membership Program. In 2008: Robin Schroeder, Dan Falkenstein, Larry Liss, Grace Schuler, Gail Dizengoff, Dave Gillespie, Candida Seasock and Joe Tait.
SIM Coordinator: In 2008: Pat Brown ( or 610-584-8546)
SIM Members: All SIM Chapter Members who are willing to assist other members by providing leads to the Transition Leader, offer advice and discuss ideas.
Process Overview
1. Participant notifies SIM Coordinator of in-transition status.
2. Participant fills in TMP Profile Form and returns to SIM Coordinator.
3. SIM Coordinator informs Transition Leader of new Participant.
4. Transition Leader identifies a “Fielder”, notifies the Participant of the Fielder and asks the Participant to contact the Fielder to get started.
5. Transition Leader notifies the Communications contact of a new participant to post on the web-site (if the Participant so indicates).
6. The Participant contacts the Fielder and schedules a meeting or phone call.
Review and discuss TMP Profile
Fielder provides advice to Participant on how to proceed including development of an Action Plan by the Participant
SIM industry area and other desired contacts identified
7. If desired, the TMP Profile is circulated to all chapter members electronically.
8. Participant receives email from “supportive” SIM Members.
9. The Participant checks in periodically with their assigned Fielder.
10. Upon obtaining a new position, Participants inform their Fielder and the SIM Coordinator and also provides feedback on the value of the program. This feedback can be used to share with other Participants and also included in future chapter newsletters. AND MAKE SURE TO THANK YOUR FIELDER!!!
11. Transition Leader notifies the Communications contact of the “landing” and requests that the individual’s TMP Profile be removed from the web-site.
12. At each Board Meeting, the Transition Leader reports on:
Program and Participant Status
New TMP Profiles (if indicated by the Participant)
Any actions required by the board
In parallel to this, all SIM chapter members are encouraged to forward any and all job leads to the Transition Leader so that they can be forwarded to the current Participants.
TENG
In addition to the TMP program, we recently became aware of an organization called TENG which stands for the Technology Executive Networking Group. The mission of this organization can be reviewed by visiting this site: "http://www.brunerconsulting.com/about_TENG2.htm". It is completely about networking and has over 600 members nationwide.
If you are interested in joining (passive or active), please send an e-mail to Joe Tait () and he will nominate you for membership (procedure is to be nominated by a current member).
Feedback
The Philadelphia Chapter would appreciate feedback on our Transition Membership Program and would welcome the opportunity to share more about it or to answer any questions for the benefit of other SIM chapters.
TRANSITION MEMBER PROGRAM – PROFILE INFORMATION FORM
Your Name:
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:
Last Position Held:
Role Sought:
Industry Specialties:
Geographic Restrictions:
Recent Positions and Dates:
SIM Members you would like to network with?
Are there any specific companies or industries with which you would not like to work?
Are you looking only for a permanent position, or would you consider a short-term contract?
Other Relevant Information:
Would you like your profile to be covered at the next SIM Board meeting?
Would you like your profile to be e-mailed to the entire SIM membership list?
Would you like your profile posted on the SIM Philadelphia web-site?
Would you like your profile to be e-mailed to only to SIM network contacts you listed above?