What To Look For (And Watch Out For) When Selecting An Outplacement Provider
You know that layoffs are a stressful process for both employers and those affected.
If you have been tasked with selecting an outplacement firm, remember that a quality service should help your departing employees find new roles more quickly.
By choosing a reputable service, you will:
- Minimize reputational damage to your company and the risk of wrongful termination claims
- Show those affected that your company genuinely cares about their wellbeing and future success
Unfortunately, the outplacement industry has gained a reputation for becoming increasingly impersonal and automated.
Without carefully conducting your research, you may end up wasting your company's money on services that individuals won't actually use.
When narrowing down your outplacement options, look for a service that:
1. Avoids Automation & Online Portals
Technology has transformed the outplacement process in a negative way.
Layoffs can be one of the most difficult experiences an employee goes through.
To truly help someone navigate a job loss, there needs to be an element of compassion and one-on-one attention.
Your departing employees need to know that they have someone to call who has their back.
Our previous clients who have gone through the outplacement process said that tools such as the following added little to no value:
- eLearning
- Webinars
- Online portals
- Job portals
- Resume builders
There are two key reasons you should avoid outplacement services who point clients to online tools:
A. It's a waste of your company's budget
Your affected employees can easily find similar (or more effective) tools available for free online.
Just a few examples include:
- eLearning and Webinars: LinkedIn Learning
- CV Builders: resume.io
You shouldn't spend thousands of dollars on an outplacement service that simply bundles such tools together under a custom login screen.
A good outplacement service should go above and beyond.
B. Your employees are unlikely to use the services
Many of our clients who used outplacement services told us they didn’t even bother logging into the online portal they were given access to.
Even so, their former employers still had to foot the bill.
2. Provides Practical Tools That Actually Help
You should look for an outplacement provider that is action oriented.
Tools such as the following will help affected employees prepare for their job search:
- Resume & Cover Letter Writing
- LinkedIn Profile Development & Coaching
- Career Coaching Sessions
- Job Search Assistance
Layoffs can also have a negative effect on an individual's mental health, leading to a general lack of motivation.
Practical tools ease the burden placed on someone's shoulders when they are hit with a layoff.
Resume and cover letter writing services, for example, equip an individual with effective personal marketing materials that can increase the number of interviews they receive.
Career coaching provides both accountability and motivation, ensuring individuals continually make progress.
Coaching sessions help one identify alternative career paths, search for new roles, and prepare for interviews via live mock interview sessions.
3. Fits Within Your Budget & Can Be Customized To Your Needs
You should choose an outplacement provider that will provide as much value as possible to your employees by tailoring their services to the budget you're working with.
For example, at Resume Pilots, we're able to offer resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile writing as well as few hours of coaching for just under $1,500.
Given that a strong resume and cover letter often the determining factor in whether someone is invited for an interview, this service still offers real value to affected employees.
Even if your company has a limited budget, you're better off providing select resources that are highly-personalized in lieu of an automated, cookie cutter solution.
4. Allows For One-to-One Interaction
Aim to choose a service that provides regular phone and email support throughout the job application process.
Throughout the job search, questions will inevitably come up.
You want to make sure that your affected employees can access resources when they need them most.
As such, look carefully at the time allocated to each individual.
Many companies devote an extremely limited amount of time to resume reviews that quickly expires, for example.
You don't want to pay for a service that will expire before your employees even had a chance to use it.
In Summary
By approaching your outplacement provider selection process in a thoughtful manner, you'll optimize your company's spending whilst also providing value to your departing employees.
You can learn more about our outplacement services here.
About Resume Pilots
Resume Pilots is an award-winning executive resume writing firm and a proud member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches. Our previous clients include CEOs and senior executives at the world's leading companies.
As a professional services firm, we take your reputation seriously. We are committed to delivering writing excellence and superior service while operating with integrity and discretion. Recruitment firms we partner with also trust us to consistently deliver quality documents for their clients.
Our writers have studied in the Ivy League and other top-tier universities and have strong writing backgrounds coupled with industry experience.
Here's how we can help you:
Resume, Cover Letter, and LinkedIn Writing Services: If you are looking for end-to-end support, hire one of our professional resume writers to rewrite your documents from the ground up.
Executive Resume Template Downloads: If you plan to prepare your own resume, consider using one of our classic, ATS-friendly resume templates for Microsoft Word.
To learn more about our services, book an introductory call with our founder here or email team@resumepilots.com.
About the AuthorMatt Glodz
Matt Glodz is the Founder and Managing Partner of Resume Pilots and a Certified Professional Resume Writer.
After studying business communication at Cornell University, Matt worked within Fortune 500 companies, where he noted that qualified candidates were frequently denied interview opportunities due to poorly written documents.
At Resume Pilots, Matt combines his business and writing background - which includes prior work for a Chicago Tribune publication - to craft resumes that give his clients the best chance of landing interviews. He works with clients ranging from CEOs to recent graduates and has been writing resumes for over 10 years.
He has been quoted on numerous business and career-related topics in outlets including Business Insider, CNBC, Fortune, Glassdoor, The Ladders, and Thrive Global.