Effective outplacement helps people move from an ending towards a new beginning. Its value cannot therefore be measured only by the resources provided. It must also be judged by the experience of the people using them.

Every career transition tells a different story. In this occasional series, we share the experiences and reflections of professionals who have recently completed DMA Group's Career Transition Programme. While every journey is unique, many of the lessons they describe are remarkably similar. We hope these shared experiences provide practical guidance and encouragement to others embarking on a similar path.

Receiving a job offer is one of the most rewarding moments in any job search. After weeks or months of searching, networking, applying and interviewing, the natural reaction is relief. Someone has chosen you and the uncertainty is over. It can be tempting to accept immediately and move on. Yet this is often where one of the biggest career mistakes is made. A job offer is not the finish line. It is the point at which an opportunity becomes a decision.