Outplacement Blues: 3 Ways to Get What You Deserve

Losing your job is something no one ever wants to face, but sometimes it’s a reality we must overcome.

If you’ve been laid off from work or your position was eliminated, your employer may refer you to an outplacement service. Outplacement services are outside firms who specialize in career counseling and help displaced employees get back on their feet.

Unfortunately, not every employer can provide the best outplacement services for their displaced employees. While some outplacement programs provide excellent services, there are others that provide only the bare minimum, such as providing one consultation with a career counselor or only referring employees to job boards.

If you’re struggling to get the assistance you need from outplacement services, here are some tips for getting what you deserve:

1. Ask for help and voice your needs.

If you aren’t getting what you need from your employer’s outplacement program, speak up to human resources. When something is unclear to you about the process or you aren’t receiving enough help, human resources can provide you with tools and advice regarding your employer’s outplacement provider.

When reaching out to HR, one thing you can do is ask for more services, such as an educational new career development course. Depending on your seniority in the company, your employer might be able to provide you with more severance benefits, too.

Next, it’s a good idea to do some research about the outplacement provider and the relationship your employer has with them and their strengths in what they offer. This will also help you determine whether or not receiving more from the outplacement provider is even an option.

2. Find a job search buddy.

A number of outplacement services provide laid off employees with a career counselor. This is usually a great opportunity, unless the career counselor you’re assigned doesn’t provide you with good advice.

If your career counselor hasn’t provided the best assistance with your job search, consider finding a job search buddy. This can be someone who’s facing the same challenges as you and can serve as a source of motivation during your job search.

You and your job search buddy can look for jobs and attend networking events together. You’ll also encourage each other throughout the job search process and even find new opportunities for each other, too.

3. Seek networking opportunities.

In the case the provided outplacement service isn’t giving you the help you need, then don’t hesitate to take your job search upon yourself.

If outplacement services has failed to give you new networking opportunities, begin searching for ways to meet new people and network with employers. A great start is to sign up for online job hunting and career management tools that will lead you to networking opportunities and connect you to alumni and professionals in your field

In addition to reaching out to your networks, research what networking events are available in your city and surrounding area. If you live in a decently sized town or city, there will likely be professional organizations you can get involved with. You can also check out the professional organizations within your industry to find opportunities, too.

There’s absolutely no reason why you couldn’t receive the benefits you deserve during unemployment. If you feel your employer hasn’t been giving you the assistance you need, then it’s time to put some of these strategies into place.

Have you had a negative experience with outplacement services? How did you turn your experience around?

Image Courtesy of SRBichara