How Outplacement Consulting Supports Displaced Employees

How a consulting firm can provide expert guidance and support throughout the process.

Working in HR means staying abreast of the changes to best practices and regulations. Human resource management isn’t just about managing what happens in the day-to-day of an organization; it’s also about planning for the future – the future of the organization, the teams, and each employee. 

What Do Outplacement Consultants Do?

Outplacement consultants represent a specialized sector within the broader talent management consultant division. These professionals focus on guiding your organization through the career transition process. The consultant helps departing employees navigate the job search process, whether that is based on job discovery, career transition to a different field, or retirement. Each consulting firm will differ in their offerings, but most career transition services typically include: 

• Administrative assistance
• Career evaluations
• Résumé development and optimization
• Interview preparation and coaching
• Job search strategy and targeting
• Networking and personal branding support
• Emotional support 
• Career counseling
• Exit interviews
• Legal compliance
• Severance packages (when applicable) 

However, outplacement services do not solely focus on departing staff. A consulting firm worth its salt will also guide the managers who are charged with handling the termination. This includes support, communication, and coaching for managers. With this approach, the organization treats the departing employee with appropriate respect while helping maintain the remaining staff’s morale. Managers should receive a detailed plan for the timeline, recommendations, and expectations to make the process as smooth as possible. 

The Outplacement Timeline

The outplacement process should be customized to each individual candidate. An experienced talent management consultant should be able to help the employees regardless of their goals. For any departing employee, the outplacement timeline typically includes three important phases: 

1. Pre-Termination: During this stage, consultants meet with impacted employees to prepare them for the transition, review their career goals, and begin résumé development.
2. Termination: On or around the employee’s last day, consultants provide on-site support, hold group orientations, and ensure all paperwork/logistics are handled smoothly.
3. Post-Termination: After the employee’s last day, consultants provide ongoing coaching, access to job search tools, and follow-up check-ins.

Choosing an Outplacement Consultant

When selecting an outplacement consultant to work with, it’s important to consider factors such as their depth of industry experience and expertise, the various career transition services offered, the delivery methods of those services, and of course, proof of a proven track record, and a strong reputation evidenced by client testimonials. In addition, a highly qualified outplacement consulting firm will offer the following services:

• Human-centric, 1:1 approach: CPI focuses on the “human” in human resources. Our one-on-one interactions with employees ensure they feel heard, valued, and supported throughout the transition.
• Holistic outplacement process: Consultants will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the outplacement process from upskilling to networking. 
• Personalized support and guidance: Outplacement is a highly personalized process, and each departing employee should be given an individualized termination process. 
• Transparent communication: A trustworthy outplacement consultant will also be transparent with everyone involved, including the organization hiring them, the managers involved in the termination process, and the departing employees. 

The right partner can make all the difference in making sure displaced employees land on their feet.

Compassionate Outplacement Support 

Working with a trusted, reliable outplacement services provider like CPI can help organizations fulfill their duty of care for terminated employees, maintain the employer brand, and support displaced employees through a challenging time. Our career outplacement services help make the process easier for all involved and maximize positive outcomes for affected employees. 

Reach out to CPI today to learn how our outplacement services can benefit your organization and support your employees at every career stage.