5 Ways Outplacement Counseling Helps with the Job Hunt

A young Black woman leads her team in a project meeting

By

INTOO Staff Writer

Categories

An employee exit is a difficult situation to navigate, whether you’re the employer or employee. Employers have to find replacements or manage the backlash of a layoff, and recently separated employees need to find new positions. An employee who has been let go by the company, however, may not be as equipped to enter the job market as job seekers who are still employed. Not only may terminated workers lack fresh application materials, but they may also have to cope with emotions such as “humiliation, failure and vulnerability, to anxiety, resentment and self-pity,” as Forbes points out.

The time period while terminated employees are on the job hunt can be stressful and disheartening. To ease the transition, many organizations today offer outplacement to former employees to help them find new positions.

 

What is outplacement counseling?

Outplacement counseling can simply be described as career transition supportOutplacement is an employee benefit afforded to workers who have been laid off from their jobs to help transition them back into the workforce.

When this kind of benefit is provided by an employer, it can serve as a sign of good faith and intention, helping to prevent negative employer reviews or comments across job sites and your company’s social media pages. Outplacement can also help protect your organization legally by deterring employees from pursuing wrongful termination lawsuits.

Outplacement can also soften negative feelings between the employee and employer, allowing all parties move forward more quickly. But what does this benefit really offer on a tangible level? Here’s how outplacement counseling helps with the job hunt:

 

1. Outplacement counseling can help underprepared individuals find and evaluate open positions.

Entering the job market after an involuntary termination can be very overwhelming. In such cases, outplacement services can help job seekers better identify the positions that are potential good fits by providing them with a career coach who can evaluate their skill sets and help them match their experience to posted jobs.

In addition, some outplacement programs offer career fairs, which can make for ideal opportunities to connect with new employers. Plus, these kinds of services typically provide access to information and research about target companies in specialized fields. This can be very helpful to people who find themselves on the hunt for a new position.

 

2. Career transition coaches can review application materials.

A strong resume and portfolio is often what makes a job candidate stand out. If these materials are attractive and comprehensive, a job seeker will most likely be given an interview or screening. Career transition coaches provided by outplacement counseling programs review and edit application materials up to high standards, optimizing them so individuals have the best chances at landing the positions they want.

 

3. Outplacement counseling can help terminated employees brush up on interview skills.

Often, people’s interview skills can be a bit rusty and in need of refining. Some people may also not be comfortable talking about themselves and their accomplishments, especially if they are feeling down after a recent termination. Outplacement counselors can help develop job seekers’ interview skill sets by helping them practice talking points and evaluating conversational strengths and weaknesses, as well as providing tips on tone and body language.

 

4. Outplacement counseling can help candidates evaluate job-related skills and areas for improvement.

In the case where an employee was let go because of underperformance in their previous role, outplacement counseling can help the terminated employee work through this feedback, especially with the help of skills assessment tests that provide unbiased evaluations. An outplacement career coach can also point individuals toward resources like webinars or classes to better their skill sets and strengthen their understanding.

 

5. Outplacement counseling can boost confidence.

No matter how well an employee takes the news at a termination meeting, it is more than likely the worker who has been let go will feel some sense of failure or discouragement. In these cases, with the help of career coaching, networking tips, and personal branding advice, outplacement can encourage terminated employees to focus on the positive opportunities ahead.

A quality outplacement program lasts at least six months, allowing job seekers to work continuously with a career coach until the land a desired position. This kind of continued, consistent emotional support can help keep job seekers motivated to face the job hunt head on, instead of feeling intimidated or underprepared in the face of any setbacks or challenges.

Employee separations don’t have to end on a negative note. While there will likely be a level of tension during these circumstances, outplacement can lessen the blow for all parties. If your organization is preparing for workforce changes,  Intoo’s outplacement solution can help. Our services include unlimited, on-demand outplacement counseling with experienced career coaches, resume optimization, and video interview coaching. Schedule a demo today to learn more about the career transition process today.

 

 

INTOO Staff Writer

INTOO staff writers come from diverse backgrounds and have extensive experience writing about topics that matter to the HR and business communities, including outplacement, layoffs, career development, internal mobility, candidate experience, succession planning, talent acquisition, and more.

Learn how to effectively build and transition your workforce.

Latest Posts

Company Acquisitions and Mergers: Definition, Differences, and Examples
Company Acquisitions and Mergers: Definition, Differences, and Examples

Company acquisitions and mergers: is a merger the same thing as an acquisition? Surprisingly, although the two terms are frequently paired, each process means something slightly different.  What Is a Merger vs. Acquisition in Business? A merger requires two companies...

What Is a Leadership Development Strategy?
What Is a Leadership Development Strategy?

A leadership development strategy outlines a systematic approach to nurturing and enhancing the skills, qualities, and behaviors essential for effective leadership within an organization. It involves identifying current and future leaders, assessing their strengths...

What Are Professional Development Goals? 12 Real-World Examples
What Are Professional Development Goals? 12 Real-World Examples

Personal growth is important for all employees, regardless of industry or position. However, no job can teach people all the skills needed to become well-rounded professionals. Knowing how to actively seek out opportunities to help you grow as a leader is a valuable...

11 Ways to Improve Employee Morale
11 Ways to Improve Employee Morale

The way your professionals feel about their jobs can affect their productivity and quality of work. Businesses may find themselves struggling to maintain high motivation among their employees and it can be challenging to determine how to boost employees’ morale. We've...

How to Encourage a Growth Mindset at Work
How to Encourage a Growth Mindset at Work

Today's business landscape is constantly changing, so the ability to adapt, learn, and grow is paramount for both individual and organizational success. A growth mindset—one that embraces challenges, looks at failures as growth opportunities, and believes in the power...

Employer Branding Strategies Throughout the Employee Lifecycle
Employer Branding Strategies Throughout the Employee Lifecycle

Every interaction a potential or existing employee has with you is an opportunity to strengthen your brand—or weaken it. Which direction it takes is based on how your organization treats the relationship as a whole. The employer-employee relationship is based not only...

What Are Employee Benefits Worth Offering?
What Are Employee Benefits Worth Offering?

Attracting and retaining top talent in today’s job market goes beyond just salary. Employee benefits are a crucial element that can make your company stand out. Think of them as a comprehensive package of perks and programs designed to support your employees'...

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Learn about career solutions and trends that matter to the HR community.