Many businesses provide their employees Outplacement Services when they are terminated.

Some of the reasons that employers provide Outplacement Services include:

Outplacement:

• Supports Corporate Values
• Maintains a Responsible External Image
• Impacts Retention and Recruiting
• Facilitates Manpower and Succession Planning
• Improves Morale and Productivity
• Decreases the Danger of Other Forms of Retaliation
• Could Reduce Unemployment Insurance Rates
• Could Be a Negotiable Severance Benefit
• Diminishes the Risk of Legal Action

The definition of Outplacement Services according to Wikipedia is Outplacement is the efforts made by a downsizing company to help former employees through the transition to new jobs and help them re-orientate to the job market. A consultancy firm usually provides the outplacement services which are paid for by the former employer and are achieved through practical advice and psychological support.

Outplacement is either delivered through individual one-on-one sessions or in a group format. Topics include career guidance, career evaluation, resume writing and interview preparation, developing networks, job search skills and targeting the job market. Individuals may be offered other services such as the use of an office and online tools.

The Wiki article continues to say that: “A page-one feature in the August 20, 2009, Wall Street Journal, headlined “Outplacement Firms Struggle to Do Job,” reported that U.S. corporations are increasingly dissatisfied with the quality of outplacement services they receive.”

I can share with you that I agree with this frustration, based on the training I have received for the outplacement work that I have done.

What is the problem? Outplacement Services have not kept up with the changes in the job market.

Teaching our unemployed how to fill out applications online, how to interview, how to write snazzy resumes and well crafted cover letters will not get them that next job or career step.

We need to be teaching our job seekers how to:

• Re-engineer themselves based on the activities they have done in life & job
• Network properly and get permission to ask for the right kind of help
• Use Social Media to learn, pay attention to what is happening and to connect appropriately for that next great conversation

Yes, at some point job seekers need to apply for jobs online and have a well written resume that says, “I Am this & I do it Well!”, however step 1 is to know who you are and then to connect towards ideas that can help you get paid for being what you are.

If your business wants to contract Outplacement Services for your terminated employees, reach out to me and let’s talk.