How to Get the Most Out of Your Outplacement Services Firm

Outplacement services vary from firm to firm and package to package. Most companies that are people-centric dislike having to let people go and they genuinely want to help their employees transition into a new job as easily as possible. Yet many times these services are underutilized by the employees. Employees may feel that they don’t need help and can do it on their own, or they may be in shock and can’t seem to bring themselves to make the call and get the process started. It’s really a lost opportunity when employees don’t take the services and the support.

While this doesn’t happen for everyone, I know that working with a career coach can literally change your life. Getting the right job or even a job at all, sets someone up for success and future earning potential and fulfillment.

What are ways job seekers can benefit from receiving outplacement services?

1. Getting started! A career coach can get the process started for you. They can help you move forward when sometimes it’s hard to figure out where to start. 
2. Resume writing or reviewing and refreshing your current resume. This is a huge stumbling block for many job seekers. Let the career coach take that burden off you! 
3. Ideation. A career coach should be an excellent thought partner and brainstormer. They should have ideas about what careers and jobs might be a good fit for you, where you can look, and how you can be seen by a recruiter or hiring manager.
4. Interview prep. Most recruiters and hiring managers won’t give you authentic feedback. Do not miss this rare opportunity to have someone tell you – no holds barred – how your answers are being heard and the non-verbal messages you are sending, too. 
5. Tools to make your job search easier. Your career coach should provide a combination of one-on-one meetings and other resources such as links to blogs, videos, worksheets, application tracking tools, interview prep tools, and more. 
6. Accountability. If you want this, ask for it. Sometimes just showing up for a meeting with the career coach can be enough to recharge your efforts.
7. Encouragement. It’s easy to feel down during the job search. A good career coach will know how to motivate you and offer you the next steps when you feel you’ve hit a wall. 
8. Insider tips. Especially if your career coach has been a recruiter, they should know ATSs, keywords, and be able to help with salary negotiation.
9. Networking assistance.Those working in outplacement can help you connect with the right people and know which companies and industries are hiring.

What is the best way for job seekers to get the most out of their outplacement services? 

Meet with your career coach, either on the phone, virtually, or, if offered, in person. They should be on a mission to discover more about you. Listen to their feedback and advice and take it. If your career coach does a resume for you, feel free to show others, but just because someone is, say, an executive at a company, it doesn’t mean that they know what recruiters look for. Bottom line – don’t doubt the resume if it’s getting you interviews.

While a career coach can be helpful, it’s still up to you to execute your part of the work. Only you can apply for jobs. A career coach can give you tools, tips, a great resume, and even interview prep, but if you don’t network, apply for jobs, or prep for an interview, it’s all for naught. At the close of your service time, often there will be additional services or coaching sessions that you can purchase to accommodate your needs if you’d like to continue the relationship.

What would you say is important to consider going into a relationship with an outplacement services provider? 

Some outplacement services are very rigid with how many times a person can meet with their client and for how long the meeting can go. Some clients require more time than others. If you are interviewing outplacement firms, find out if they charge when someone doesn’t use the service and if there are restrictions on how many meetings they will have with the client.  

Whether you think you need help or not, consider starting the process and see what help they can provide. Your former employer will be billed for the service, so you might as well have them pay for it! Declining their offer doesn’t spite your former employer. It only hurts you, and it’s just smart to take advantage of it! If you are concerned about confidentiality, you may want to ask them if they give any information back to the employer.

If you need any help with offering outplacement to your former employees or would like career coaching in general, reach out to us!