What is Outplacement?

Outplacement is practical support from professional consultants designed to help people who have to leave a company, whether through redundancy or severance, move to the next stage in their careers.

Organisations often provide outplacement to help people through individual or large scale job redundancy, or significant corporate change.

Outplacement support can be delivered in a number of ways. Typically, these might include:

Group outplacement workshops: Half or full day workshops for groups of employees, who are guided through the essentials of the job search process by an experienced consultant.
Individual outplacement: One to one sessions with an outplacement consultant, who will help individuals to evaluate their options, choose their next move, and prepare themselves for the job market.

All outplacement programmes, whether group or individual, are designed to help people cope with the prospect of job change, and make positive moves forward. Outplacement consultants help the individual to focus on the options available to them, and to make the right choices for their future. Practical help will include preparing a CV, writing covering letters, how to find vacancies and apply for jobs, networking, interview skills, and advice on settling into a new job.

Successful outplacement should help individuals to move forward in a positive way and turn their search for the next move into a constructive, successful project.