Last updated on Mar 5, 2024

What are the best practices for creating and maintaining a peer support group during career transition?

If you are going through a career transition, you might feel isolated, overwhelmed, or uncertain about your next steps. A peer support group can help you cope with the emotional and practical challenges of finding a new job, as well as provide you with valuable feedback, insights, and connections. But how do you create and maintain a peer support group that works for you and your goals? Here are some best practices to follow.

1 Choose your peers wisely

A peer support group is not a random collection of people who happen to be in the same situation. It is a group of people who share similar values, interests, and aspirations, and who can offer each other mutual support, encouragement, and accountability. To find your peers, you can reach out to your existing network, join online communities, or attend events related to your field or industry. Look for people who have a positive attitude, a growth mindset, and a willingness to learn and help others.

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Jhéssìca Cáettano

Consultora de Recursos Humanos | BPO de RH | Implantação de RH | Consultoria de RH | Recrutamento e Seleção | Headhunter | Treinamento e Desenvolvimento | Liderança |Recolocação Profissional | Palestrante
Ter por perto pessoas que te motivam a ser uma pessoa e um profissional melhor é fundamental para você conseguir desenvolver novas habilidades, e buscar crescimento dentro do ambiente corporativo e fora dele também. Pessoas com valores e interesses semelhantes aos seus acabam se tornando apoiadores dos seus projetos futuros.

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Colleen Paulson

Executive Career Consultant | Former Fortune 50 | Featured by Forbes, LinkedIn News, Yahoo Finance, FlexJobs | Community Board Leader
This is probably the biggest piece of the puzzle for deciding to be part of a peer support group. You want to be with people who will be supportive and understanding. These groups can be a great way to staying on track and motivated, but you want to make sure that the group members goals are aligned with your objectives or else being part of the group can have the opposite effect and derail your process.
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2 Set clear expectations and boundaries

A peer support group is not a therapy session, a job fair, or a competition. It is a space where you can share your experiences, challenges, and successes, and receive honest and constructive feedback, advice, and referrals. To make the most of your group, you need to set clear expectations and boundaries from the start. For example, you can agree on how often you will meet, how long each meeting will last, what topics you will cover, how you will communicate, and how you will respect each other's privacy and confidentiality.

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Jhéssìca Cáettano

Consultora de Recursos Humanos | BPO de RH | Implantação de RH | Consultoria de RH | Recrutamento e Seleção | Headhunter | Treinamento e Desenvolvimento | Liderança |Recolocação Profissional | Palestrante
É importante manter as expectativas e limites no grupo claramente, pois caso o grupo acabe desenvolvendo uma energia baixa, pode ser que o projeto caminhe para outro lugar, fazendo com que os participantes se desmotivem e o que deveria ser apoio, se torna um compartilhamento de lamentações.

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3 Follow a structured format

A peer support group is not a casual chat or a venting session. It is a structured and focused conversation that aims to help you achieve your career goals. To ensure that your group is productive and effective, you need to follow a structured format that covers the following elements: check-in, goal setting, progress review, feedback exchange, action planning, and check-out. You can also assign roles, such as facilitator, timekeeper, note-taker, or cheerleader, to keep the group organized and engaged.

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4 Celebrate and support each other

A peer support group is not a one-way street or a zero-sum game. It is a reciprocal and collaborative relationship that benefits everyone involved. To sustain your group and foster a positive and supportive culture, you need to celebrate and support each other. This means acknowledging each other's achievements, expressing gratitude, offering praise, showing empathy, providing encouragement, and celebrating milestones. You can also create a sense of community by sharing resources, tips, opportunities, and contacts.

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Jhéssìca Cáettano

Consultora de Recursos Humanos | BPO de RH | Implantação de RH | Consultoria de RH | Recrutamento e Seleção | Headhunter | Treinamento e Desenvolvimento | Liderança |Recolocação Profissional | Palestrante
Celebrar e apoiar pessoas que também estão em transição de carreira ou buscando por recolocação profissional, assim como você, é fundamental para se manter motivado e motivar quem está por perto de você, isso faz com que fortaleça o seu network.

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5 Evaluate and adjust your group

A peer support group is not a static or fixed entity. It is a dynamic and flexible process that evolves with your needs and goals. To ensure that your group is meeting your expectations and delivering value, you need to evaluate and adjust your group regularly. This means soliciting feedback, measuring outcomes, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and making changes as needed. You can also revisit your group's purpose, vision, and mission, and celebrate your group's achievements and impact.

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