Outplacement Coaching: What It Is and How to Choose the Right Partner

In the business world, workforce changes such as layoffs are sometimes unavoidable. In these difficult times, HR professionals must ensure the departed employees feel supported on both the human and professional levels. For that purpose, outplacement services benefit not just the laid-off individuals, but the organization as well, and one of the main aspects of this kind of strategy is outplacement coaching.

In this article, we’ll explore outplacement coaching, its relevance, how to differentiate the best coaches from the rest of the crowd, and what sets Careerminds apart in providing a people-first, tailored experience for individuals navigating career transitions.

Outplacement coaching is a type of career guidance in which experts support individuals who have lost their jobs, most commonly after layoffs. The primary goal is to help laid-off employees overcome the challenges of their job losses and find new work opportunities. It does this by providing them with tools, strategies, and emotional support to navigate this transition as smoothly as possible.

Ideally, outplacement coaching goes beyond giving individuals practical advice and developing their professional abilities. It’s a holistic approach to career transitioning that also involves creating a comprehensive support system for the participant to process their feelings, face challenges, and regain confidence in their career development through a positive mindset.

Typically, outplacement coaches work closely with participants to develop personalized career strategies by assessing their skills, strengths, and career goals. Those professionals give individuals informed insights about job market trends and industry dynamics, helping them to identify suitable industries and ideal roles for their next career steps. Coaches also equip job seekers with tips and best practices to stand out to recruiters and hiring managers, through resume and LinkedIn profile optimization, interview preparation, and networking guidance.

While all outplacement coaches provide roughly the same services, the best experts will demonstrate specific abilities that are more likely to help candidates land better jobs more quickly. Those skills can include knowledge of current job market trends, familiarity with the latest technology in the field, experience in the participant’s industry of choice, and flexibility to provide the best individual assistance. Let’s see in detail what to look for in an outplacement coaching service.

When laid-off employees rely on outplacement coaching, they’ll need a provider who deeply understands their industry or field – the one the participant is currently in, the one they’re planning to move to, or both. Ideally, those coaches are familiar with industry trends and practices and have specific knowledge about the nuances, requirements, and challenges that resonate with the departing employees. This aspect is crucial to increase their chances of landing a job.

Besides industry-specific knowledge, an outplacement coach should also stay ahead of the constant changes in the job market due to economic shifts, technological advancements, and cross-industry trends. With this kind of information, those specialists can provide more relevant advice on, for example, the most sought-after skills in the market, current job opportunities, and the expectations of employers, giving participants a competitive edge in their career transition.

A modern outplacement coaching service must be in touch with the latest technology trends in job search and career development. So, when looking for an outplacement coach, be sure to partner with a forward-thinking, tech-savvy specialist. Ideally, they’ll have a proven record of innovative solutions to help participants, such as connecting them with virtual job fairs, online networking opportunities, advanced job search tools, and career management software. 

Your company should partner with an outplacement coach who assists your departing employees in a personalized manner that caters to their unique career journeys. By dedicating time to understanding each individual’s specific needs, goals, and personal circumstances, your expert will provide much more efficient support, presenting strategies that align more closely with the participant’s aspirations and leading to a more fulfilling career transition.

Outplacement coaches must understand the importance of real-time assistance to increase participants’ chances in today’s fast-paced job market. This means providing flexible, on-demand support that adapts to your impacted employees’ schedules and requirements through in-person meetings, video and phone calls, emails, texts, or online messaging. This type of timely guidance will greatly increase people’s chances in their job-hunting journeys. 

Most outplacement programs offer their services for a limited time, not going beyond a few months of support. However, a comprehensive outplacement coaching program should address people’s evolving needs through every stage of their career transition until they land a job. That’s the case with Careerminds, which has an “Until Placement” approach: we work with all individuals until they’ve successfully moved into their next position.

At Careerminds, we connect participants with coaches within 24 hours, helping them move quickly in their career transitions. Also, all our programs include one-on-one career coaching, from entry-level jobs to C-suite executives. This is part of our approach of tailoring outplacement programs to meet your organization’s needs, with a people-first approach, ensuring a seamless career transition for participants.

Our services are also cost-effective, addressing your financial considerations while fostering individual success and your workforce’s well-being. Proof of the success of the Careerminds approach is our 99% satisfaction rate and 95% placement rate, with participants securing new positions in less than 12 weeks — more than 40% times faster than the average duration of unemployment in Canada. Moreover, eight out of ten participants actively engage with our career coaches and outplacement services, an indication of our program’s excellence.

Let’s explore in detail the elements that make Careerminds stand out in outplacement coaching:

• Support until placement: Each individual in our program receives unlimited support from a dedicated coach and a team of experts until placement. This means our service duration is, on average, four times higher than that of other outplacement providers.
• Expert branding: Our team of experts crafts resumes and LinkedIn profiles for every participant, enabling them to create truly professional brands for themselves and significantly accelerate their journeys to find new opportunities.
• Global outplacement: Our contemporary global model ensures consistency and local expertise across every major market by aligning with job search norms and regulations specific to each country and region.
• Real-time reporting: Our cutting-edge career management software gives partners a comprehensive, 24/7 access view of participant progress. You’ll have real-time insights and data about your program, as well as benchmarking, trends, and best practices.
• Genuine partnership: Careerminds is committed to building true partnerships in which our clients’ unique needs and goals are our top priority. We’re responsive, adaptive, and transparent, so our customized solutions can bring results to companies and individuals alike.

Careerminds extends its people-first approach to participants from various life stages, providing personalized care for each unique situation. Now, let’s look at some real-life stories and understand how these benefits translate into tangible experiences for participants:

Steve was his family’s sole provider so, after being laid off, he couldn’t wait for weeks to discuss his next steps with a career coach. He had an interview the following week, so he needed to start preparing immediately. Within 24 hours of notification, Steve started speaking directly with his dedicated Careerminds coach, which proved crucial for finding his next job.

Mary had spent 20 years without looking for a job before being laid off. As a result, she needed specialized assistance to navigate the online tools that would help her find her new position. Through Careerminds, Mary spoke with her outplacement coach three times a week. With this assistance, she became a tech-savvy candidate and secured a new opportunity.

When he lost his job, Roberto felt ready to transition toward retirement. His next move was to look for a part-time position, but he needed help building his LinkedIn profile to convey his skills and experience. Careerminds provided Roberto with sessions on retirement lifestyle and career coaching in the same outplacement program, helping him move to the next phase in his life.

In this article, we saw how a well-planned career coaching service is fundamental for any outplacement program to be successful. However, its application is far from simple: it requires experience, knowledge, and flexibility to provide individuals with the support they need to overcome the stress caused by a layoff and move confidently to the next step in their careers.

From your organization’s standpoint, it’s essential to choose an outplacement coaching service that supports your departed employees emotionally and practically. The career experts should acknowledge people’s fears and equip them with tips, insights, and best practices in a people-first, tailor-made approach – one that stays by their side until they land new jobs.

This is our commitment at Careerminds. We’re leveraging our track record of excellence and a result-oriented mindset to bring high-quality outplacement coaching to the Canadian job market. One example of this is our recent acquisition of Toombs, one of Canada’s most recognized providers in the industry for more than 30 years.

If you want to speak to our experts and see if Careerminds is the right outplacement partner for your organization, just click below!

Rafael Spuldar

Rafael is a content writer, editor, and strategist with over 20 years of experience working with digital media, marketing agencies, and Tech companies. He started his career as a journalist: his past jobs included some of the world's most renowned media organizations, such as the BBC and Thomson Reuters. After shifting into content marketing, he specialized in B2B content, mainly in the Tech and SaaS industries. In this field, Rafael could leverage his previously acquired skills (as an interviewer, fact-checker, and copy editor) to create compelling, valuable, and performing content pieces for various companies. Rafael is into cinema, music, literature, food, wine, and sports (mainly soccer, tennis, and NBA).