Rouages: "Every employee should be able to change jobs if they wish to do so."
Virginie Fattore is a career advisor in the recruitment, training, and support department of the Human Resources Division. Every year, she assists UM staff with their career change or reorientation, mobility, and training needs. She discusses this role in the video series "Rouages," produced by the University of Montpellier.
"I originally trained as an occupational psychologist, so becoming a career advisor made sense; it's an environment and a role that I enjoy," says Virginie Fattore. With her genuine smile and dynamic yet discreet presence, it's easy to imagine confiding in a career advisor during the transitional moments we all experience in our careers.
" Today, our environment and our jobs are constantly changing," continues Virginie Fattore. " It is therefore important that every employee be able to change jobs if they wish to do so." Important, but not so simple, as professional help is often essential in learning how to promote one's career path and skills. Virginie and her colleague Chantal Bouschon provide this help every day by offering unique and personalized support.
Support internal and external mobility
In order to better take into account the evolution of the various regulatory texts published on mobility and career paths, in 2015, the University of Montpellier, itself engaged in a merger process, decided to create two career advisor positions within the recruitment, training, and support department of the HR division. The aim was to offer a new service to staff wishing to change careers either within or outside the university, but also to support internal mobility and training projects for staff who, while remaining at UM, wished to change department or role.
"We deal with a wide range of situations," adds Virginie Fattore. " This year, for example, we supported an administrative officer who wanted to retrain as a paramedic, which he is currently doing, but we also helped a language teacher who wanted to switch to teaching French in a secondary school. These services are complementary, since a career change or reorientation will generally require the implementation of a training program.
Individualized and personalized support
For employees, a simple email sent to the recruitment, training, and support department will trigger an initial interview, based on which career advisors will be able to tailor their response. "If these questions relate to specific aspects of their situation, such as administrative procedures for mobility or professional training leave, we will provide them with information or refer them to the relevant department."
If, on the other hand, the employee wishes to undertake an in-depth review of their career path, the advisor will offer them individualized and personalized support, beginning with a career assessment. "The career assessment involves analyzing and evaluating the person's professional and personal skills, as well as their aptitudes and motivations. The aim is to help them define a realistic career plan," explains Virginie Fattore. Each year, around 50 agents receive support from the career support and monitoring office.
Listening and discretion
While the role of career advisor naturally requires a thorough understanding of how universities work and the various civil service statuses, it is also, and above all, the advisor's personal qualities that will be highlighted. Empathy, open-mindedness, listening skills, but also analytical skills, as each project requires an appropriate and unique response. Finally, "discretion is essential. All discussions remain confidential, "insists Virginie Fattore. "It is important that employees know that nothing they tell us will leave the office, unless of course they ask us to."Appointments outside of working hours can also be offered to staff who do not wish to inform their superiors of their decision.