Three reasons why you should choose a quality outplacement company and what to look out for:
1. Staff will get the support they need in a challenging market
For staff facing redundancy this can be a very scary and worrying time for them and having a quality outplacement provider who you can rely on and trust to deliver a valuable service is very important. At a time, when they need to be at their best, shining at interview, most people feel at their worst. By working with a quality career coach they will be reminded of how good they are, be reinvigorated and positively focused on their next move.
2. Remaining staff will see their colleagues properly supported throughout redundancy
For other staff in the organisation this can also be a difficult time as they may feel their position is vulnerable and not secure. If remaining staff see their friends and ex colleagues having a positive supported exit they will themselves continue to positively work for the organisation. Loosing morale in your workforce can be an expensive hidden cost.
3. Positive PR for the organisation
Positive supported exits where quality outplacement services are used feeds into news items for companies. Many companies recruit at the same time as making redundancies, and people want to work for organisations who will look after them.
Top 10 tips for choosing a quality outplacement company:
1. What’s their reputation? - what do others say about them? – 3rd party endorsements such as key partnerships are more valuable than the company themselves saying they’re great
2. Do they follow a code of practice – the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (The CIPD) have the most relevant code of practice for this area of coaching
3. Are they clear about what their programmes contain, the hours, duration and cost of programmes
4. Are their coaching team qualified in career coaching – not just generalist coaches or qualified in the university of life
5. Do they make claims about ‘magic networks’ if so run!
6. Do they have their own offices – or are they simply booking Regus offices as and when
7. Do they offer clients a free initial meeting to check if it’s right for them
8. Are all their coaches highly qualified – increasingly outplacement companies are employing less qualified coaches to deliver a cheaper service – you do get what you pay for – cheap outplacement can be like bad directions
9. Will they provide a single coach to work with the individual throughout their programme
10. Do they have good information support for their clients – ensure they are not just websites anyone can see – good job resources are invaluable to individuals job searching.