Outplacement Firms

            In today’s high-pressure work environment in Nashville and Middle Tennessee the likelihood of employees having to lay off employees is common. Many employees being laid off often experience confusion, disorientation and anger. The question they most often ask themselves is, “What do I do now”? And the question that employers often ask themselves is, “What can I do to help the employee or employees I am letting go?

            In order to help, one of the options that employers have is to hire an outplacement firm to assist an employee in the transition from one job to another. These establishments can offer valuable assistance to the newly unemployed. Their services should be understood and utilized where appropriate. 

            If you are an employee being laid off and are not offered outplacement services in your severance package, request it be added. Not only will the firm’s staff assist you in finding a job; they can offer you some emotional support in your time of need.

            The loss of a job is not only the loss of familiarity; it is the loss of day-to-day social interaction. Being home, when it is not a vacation, can be very lonely.

            In many cases the outplacement firm will provide you a place to go everyday. Staying at home for weeks or months at a time while searching for a job can grow to be somewhat depressing.

            The services offered by outplacement firms can vary. However, they generally include the following: personal assessment, career counseling, resume preparation, cover letter preparation, employer databases and a telephone answering service. Senior level managers are often provided an office and secretarial support, paid for by the former employer. Special seminars or tapes are often available on relevant employment subjects.

            An initial meeting is generally provided by a firm to access the emotional state of the new client and determine the skills, education and background he/she processes. Often the assessment includes a battery of tests to determine interests, motivation and skills. It is followed by sitting down with the client and reviewing the findings. Next the client is asked to provide personal input on past accomplishments and what he/she wants for the future. And finally, a plan of action is formulated with specific strategies.

            The client is often tutored on how to write a marketable resume. Utilizing the information the client sets up a basic foundation for the resume, which the firm’s staff cooperatively develops into a final resume or resumes. Support in adding an accompanying cover letter or letters follow. Both the resume and cover letters may be kept in the firm’s computer and printed for distribution by mail or e-mail at the client’s request. The firm usually handles the send-out including postage, but not always.

            The client, sometimes with the assistance of the staff, reviews the in-house databases for potential jobs and employer contacts. Next they select and target the positions or employers of interest. The client then either sends out directly or requests that the firm send out an appropriate resume and cover letter to the proper contacts.

            A designated telephone number and e-mail address is often provided for the potential employer to contact. The firm’s answering service will professionally take any incoming calls to be relayed to the client.

            Throughout this process the client is usually provided with seminars or tapes on subjects of particular interest. How to networking is almost always included. Another popular topic is effective interviewing techniques. Also, normally included is how to cope with being laid off and how to deal with the worry and stress.

            If the client experiences depression during the transition period, outplacement staff are usually trained in how to provide appropriate attention.

            The firm can and often do address many other pertinent topics. These can include effective telephone communication, how to develop contact lists, how to set up referral meetings, reactive job search strategies, business etiquette and how to be polite but persistent.

            One thing to keep in mind is the outplacement firm does not, in most cases, find the client a job. So, a passive client will receive little benefit.

            If you have the opportunity to use a thing is to use outplacement services, use the firm’s resources to their maximum benefit.