Outplacement Firms — Best Practices and Selection Factors to Consider

Organizations are often faced with having to reduce headcount to remain competitive.

Many want to offer outplacement services to assist separating employees with their career transition, but are unfamiliar with current best practices used by top outplacement firms.

Outplacement Firm Selection Tips

Here are key factors to consider in selecting the best outplacement firm for your exiting employees if your organization is faced with planning for a RIF or layoff:

1. Type of Outplacement Support. 

One decision you will need to make regarding outplacement is whether you feel your exiting employees would benefit most from group or individual one-on-one outplacement. 

With one-on-one outplacement, the downsized employee receives personalized, one-on-one support with a career coach to help them move forward. 

With group outplacement, the separating employee receives support through attending group seminars.

If one-on-one support is desired, can it be offered virtually or remotely to reduce costs or would it need to be provided face-to-face in an office setting?

2. Level of Resume and Cover Letter Support.

Some outplacement firms actually develop a resume and cover letter for the displaced employee. 

Other outplacement companies offer only a workbook or online tools to help the displaced employee create their resume and cover letter for themselves. 

You will need to decide which type of support best benefits your displaced employees – resume writing itself or do-it-yourself support.

3. National Support – In Any Remote Location.

If your organization has employees located throughout the country, you will want to consider whether you want to work with multiple local or regional outplacement firms or a single company that offers outplacement nationwide.

Another consideration would be if you have employees located in remote locations outside major cities. 

In that case, you may want to work with an outplacement firm that offers services remotely through a combination of career coaching calls and online tools rather than one where a downsized employee would need to drive a great distance to utilize outplacement services.

4. Length of Time in Business. 

How important is it to you that the outplacement company you select is an established firm?

The length of time an outplacement firm has been in business can be used as a measure of the company’s stability and success. 

An outplacement firm that has been in business a number of years is likely to be in business in the future.

5. Ability to Develop a Customized Job Search Strategy. 

Does the outplacement firm have a process in place to work with a displaced employee individually to understand their needs, creating a customized job search strategy that takes into account their unique situation?

The needs of long-term employees or those nearing the end of their career often differ from those in an earlier stage of their career. 

Each displaced employee’s career path and job search goals are unique to them. 

A one-size-fits-all approach to outplacement isn’t effective.

A critical first step in the outplacement process is taking the time to work with a downsized employee to fully define their target in terms of the type of position they desire, the level of that position, and the industry, as well as discovering their unique skills and experience that separates them for others seeking the position they desire.

The top outplacement firms recognize the importance of a personalized approach to outplacement.

6. Length of Time Outplacement Support is Provided.

Another factor to consider when selecting outplacement services is the amount of time you feel the exiting employee would require outplacement support. 

In general, the more senior-level the position, the longer it will take the downsized employee to find suitable employment.

In today’s economy, it takes job seekers longer to find a suitable position. 

Most job seekers would likely benefit from a minimum of three months of outplacement support.

The top outplacement firms offer outplacement program options that provide three months of support.

7. Availability of Online Outplacement Tools. 

Another factor to consider when selecting an outplacement firm is if you would want the company to offer access to online job search tools. 

The benefit of online tools is that they can be accessed 24/7 from any location at a displaced employee’s convenience. 

Online tools that a top outplacement company can offer include a proprietary, password-protected career portal covering the different steps in the job search process, career assessment tools, interview prep tools, and salary survey resources.

8. Experience with Current Job Search and Candidate Sourcing Practices.

How important is it to you that the outplacement firm be experienced with online job search techniques?  Is it likely that the internet will play a key role in your displaced employees’ job search strategy?

If so, the outplacement company you select should understand the automated resume screening process used by employers to screen resumes.

If you determine that online job search knowledge is an important evaluation point for an outplacement firm, check to see whether the outplacement company recognizes that importance by offering LinkedIn profile support. 

Are they aware of the top online career sites?  Do they offer a service to post downsized employees resumes on top online career sites such an Indeed?

9. Outplacement Costs and Outplacement Agreement Contractual Requirements.

Outplacement costs must be considered when selecting an outplacement firm. 

Check to see whether outplacement costs are clearly defined and stated on the outplacement firm’s web site and in their marketing materials. 

Are there affordable outplacement programs available with services you feel your displaced employees would gain the most benefit from?

Does the outplacement agency have a minimum fee or minimum headcount requirement? 

Will your organization only be charged for those displaced employees that elect to utilize outplacement services?

Would you need to enter into an exclusive, binding agreement that would limit your options in the future?

By considering each of these factors, you can develop effective selection criteria for deciding on the best outplacement firm to meet the needs of your exiting employees while adhering to your budget constraints.

Copyright 2001-2022 Quest Outplacement.  All Rights Reserved.  Reproduction of this article is prohibited without the written consent of Quest Outplacement.

Quest Outplacement provides individual, one-on-one outplacement services at a price point below many group seminar outplacement options, enabling employers to make the benefits of personalized career transition services available to all displaced employees within their organization.

Contact Quest Outplacement by phone at 888-430-2637 or through our online contact form.

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