Outplacement and Career Management Coaching

This Outplacement and Career Management Coaching piece is inspired by a recent client, who wrote an article on LinkedIn about his experience of being made redundant after 18 years employed by the same employer. 

Andy was offered outplacement by his organisation and fully engaged in the experience.  After three months (20 hours) of career management coaching he secured his dream job.  He started his new role on 2 September 2024.

Andy’s post provided a great insight into the journey that increasingly more and more people are facing within their job search.  What differentiates Andy from may other people who find themselves either redundant or needing to consider a career move, is his engagement in the support offered.  He truly engaged in the outplacement service.  His employer had offered outplacement as part of the redundancy package and he was committed to making the best possible use of the service on offer.  Andy provides some great tips so we won’t be repeating those. 

The reason our article has been written is to highlight – using Andy as an example – how to make the best use of outplacement and career management coaching and support.

What is Outplacement?

Outplacement supports people made redundant from their role.  It can also support employees placed at risk of redundancy who are either required to reapply for their own roles or apply for alternative roles following a restructure. 

Our LaunchPad Associates Outplacement Flyer details this further. 

Our outplacement support is dedicated to:

1. Exploring where you are right now. 
   Are you confident?  Are you anxious? Are you ready for employment? Are you thinking about a career change?  Would you like to start a business?  Do you want to retrain?
2. Establishing your strengths and passion. 
   Helping you to uncover where you have felt at your best, what that looks like and how you can create that again with new opportunities.
3. Showcasing you. 
   Building a CV and cover letter that will make you stand out from the rest.
4. Routes to getting noticed. 
   We work on your LinkedIn profile, helping you to understand how the headhunter / recruiter search works so that you come at or near the top when they are searching.  We look at how to use LinkedIn for job search and networking, making use of your contacts to alert them to your availability.
5. Standing out at interview. 
   We prepare you for interview and assessment centres to make you the perfect candidate.  You will be well prepared for interviews.
6. Negotiation. 
   Helping with the onboarding and negotiating terms.

That is a brief summary of what you can expect.  If you’d like to chat about outplacement or receive career management coaching give us a shout.

Why Engage in Outplacement and Career Management Coaching – Getting the best out of the service

If your employer offers outplacement as part of a redundancy process take it!

You have nothing to lose and if you’re feeling lost, nervous and have been with the same employer for years, the world of recruitment and selection has changed – let us walk you through it. 

Andy took advantage of the service and was successful at his fourth interview.  He worked hard and more importantly made us work hard.

Our Tips for Getting the Most Out of Outplacement 

1. If you want a break before your job search, pause your outplacement support.  If it is time limited make sure you start when the time is right for you.  We have clients who start the programme who aren’t ready then the programme ends before they are applying for roles.  There is no problem deferring your support to get the best from the service.
2. If you want to retire, outplacement support provides this guidance service.
3. If you want to start a business, freelance or contract, outplacement will help with this too.
4. Make use of your coach.  Be like a sponge – take every piece of information and support.  Ask lots of questions.  Your coach is there for you.  Make sure you make best use of them.
5. Outplacement is your new job.  Treat your career search like a job.  Plan, schedule and organise your activity.  Have a programme for your job search, file and record applications systematically, and track progress.  Get feedback from your coach on cover letters and applications or personal statements.
6. Practice interviews, presentations and assessment centres.  Use your coach for mock assessment.  Whatever is required of you. practice with your coach.
7. Get feedback.  If you are rejected following interviews ask for feedback.  Work with your coach on that feedback.  They will help you to understand the feedback in a way the recruiter can’t as they don’t have the time and won’t know you as well as your coach.
8. Use the Service.  We get so many contracts that offer outplacement to outgoing employees, we make contact and they just don’t engage.  You are robbing yourself.  This is the perfect opportunity to get ahead of the game.  Be more Andy!

We are happy to help.  Whether you’re at a career crossroads or have been made redundant, we can help.