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Business & Tech

The Ins and Outs of Outplacement

Outplacement services are both an expensive and valuable benefit from your employer.

I was just let go from my company after 10 years and they gave me outplacement services. Do you think I should work with them? — Laura

Dear Laura, 

I am very sorry you lost your job but am happy to hear that your former employer was generous enough to give you outplacement. You should know that your company probably paid between $3,000-$5,000 (or more) for this benefit.

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I absolutely recommend you participate because outplacement can help you land a better job faster. If you saw the movie, “Up in the Air” where George Clooney traveled the country firing people, you may have the wrong idea about outplacement.

Although I never met an outplacement consultant quite as handsome as George, unlike his character, most are well trained and compassionate individuals who will teach you the ins and outs of job search. These are some of the ways your outplacement consultant will help you: 

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  • Understand your termination paperwork and how to apply for unemployment compensation. Your relationship with the consultant should be confidential so you can feel comfortable asking questions you might not feel comfortable asking your HR Rep. Your consultant can also help you plan and practice exactly what you’ll tell people about the termination. 
  • Process your loss. Let’s face it; losing a job can be extremely painful. Your outplacement consultant will listen and empathize. She will help you understand that what you are feeling is perfectly understandable. She may invite you to group training where you will meet others experiencing similar emotions. Connect you with a professional financial adviser. It’s a good idea to review your income and expenses and create a budget for this period of unemployment. A professional financial adviser will also offer alternatives for rolling-over your 401(k) if you don’t feel comfortable leaving it with your former company’s plan administrator and explain the penalties if you take the money. 
  • Conduct an asset analysis. Your consultant may ask you to take one or more assessments to help you identify your strengths, interests, skills and values. This information will be helpful in verifying your career path or making a career veer. It will be instrumental in developing your professional brand statement. Develop written marketing materials. You’ll need an exceptional resume, of course. Your consultant will be trained to help you create a document that stands-out and sells you. You’ll also need cover letters, a handbill, an exceptional www.linkedin.com profile and business cards. Don’t worry. Your consultant will have samples and plenty of ideas. 
  • Create and implement a structured job search plan.Your consultant will help you determine which job search activities will bring you the fastest results. She’ll prevent you from doing what’s easy (applying to jobs on-line all day) and teach you how to build and maintain a fruitful network. She will also hold you accountable, give you encouragement and a kick in the pants as needed. 
  • Train you to communicate effectively and sell yourself in interviews. Ask your consultant to give you one or more mock interviews and give you honest feedback. Avail yourself of the opportunity to get the interviews taped. This a great way to assess your non-verbal communication skills. 
  • Advise you when negotiating and accepting a job offer.Even in a competitive job market it is possible to negotiate a higher salary or better perks. Your consultant will ensure you negotiate from a strong position of knowledge and confidence. She will also help you craft a communication to your network about your landing and develop a plan for on-boarding to accelerate your contribution in the first year on the job. As you can tell, Laura, I am a proponent of outplacement services.
  • Set-up a meeting and interview your consultant. Ask questions about her experience and success with professionals with similar backgrounds. Ask about the process and assess the chemistry with the consultant. If it’s not a good fit, ask for another consultant. 

Working with an outplacement firm will definitely help you avoid making costly job search mistakes – Mistakes that could cost you an interview, a job offer or thousands of dollars in compensation. Why wouldn’t you work with an outplacement firm? 

Best of luck, Laura. Let us know how it goes. 

Christy Suerth

Your Neighbor and Career Coach

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