No April Fool's Joke
“I thought it was an April Fool’s joke,” Roland began, sounding uneasy. A few days ago, he learned he’d been dismissed from a large chemical company. I’m supposed to help him with his career reorientation through coaching sessions.
As an employee, you should take action early. Regular networking increases the likelihood of anticipating problems and taking countermeasures.
For many decades, the chemical industry in Germany was a reliable partner. Employees could spend their entire working lives with a single company if they wished. Salaries were negotiated with the union without strikes. Co-operation with universities fostered mutual understanding and smooth career paths. Dismissals occurred only in cases of corporate embezzlement or, indeed, as an April Fool’s joke. “I have to deal with a scenario that was previously unimaginable and therefore played no role in my life,” Roland confessed to me.
The job market is becoming increasingly bleak. After three years of economic weakness and global uncertainty, we have to acknowledge that chemists are losing positions that were once considered the private-sector equivalent of civil servant status.
The management of such companies faces new challenges. They must protect their reputation as reliable employers while confronting reality. In cases of staff reductions, including those affecting permanent employees, companies can offer severance packages and support for new career steps, such as outplacement coaching.
As an employee, you should take action early. Regular networking increases the likelihood of anticipating problems and taking countermeasures.
If you are offered a termination agreement, you can read this column to decide whether it makes sense to accept it in your situation.
If you are offered coaching, don’t let pride mislead you. Regardless of how successful you have been so far, an external perspective can help you better understand your situation.
A word on expectation management: No coach can open doors to HR managers. Coaches offer guidance for self-help.
What should you consider when choosing a coach?
All coaches have different specialisations. First, analyse yourself to identify your needs, whether it’s career guidance, mental support, or skills such as networking and negotiation. You can then search specifically for coaches with these specialisations. After a free introductory meeting, don’t rush your decision so that it’s based on your needs rather than the coach’s charisma.
This article was first published in Nachrichten aus der Chemie (issue 04-2026). See here the German original.
NaturalScience.Careers offers outplacement coaching. If you need this service, contact us (info@naturalscience.careers).