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If you’re being made redundant you may already have been offered support to find a new job, but are outplacement services worth it? We think so. They put you in a stronger position for finding your next role, help you understand your strengths and what that role could be, give you support to freshen up your CV and get you ready to sell yourself at interviews. That’s why you should ask for outplacement support as part of your redundancy package.
How does outplacement support work?
If you’re going through a consultation process and it’s likely your employment is coming to an end, it’s a scary time. Not many people really understand the processes and your rights when you’re at risk of being made redundant.
Outplacement is a term used to describe career transition support when you’re being made redundant. It’s often (but not always) provided by people from outside your organisation who are specialists in career coaching and CV writing, and combines emotional support with practical career guidance.
This support can be provided for groups of people and can involve group workshops or online learning modules for those who may be impacted by restructures or redundancies. This can be quite useful as you are all in a similar situation and can also support each other. Outplacement can also be provided 1-2-1 as personalised coaching for individuals.
The redundancy support package can include help with your CV, strengths and skills analysis, interview skills, job search strategy, networking, options around self-employment, financial advice and wellbeing.
Do you really need outplacement support?
Being faced with redundancy can be overwhelming and with the current UK unemployment rate higher than expected (Feb 2025 update) and lots of news about high-profile companies reducing their workforce, any extra support to secure your next job has to be positive.
In my experience working with people who were being laid off, even those who were initially resistant did end up thinking they benefited from the outplacement support. You may be surprised by how long it can take to secure a new role and may even struggle thinking about what it is you want to do next. Having a coach can help you to think through your options, help you maintain motivation, rebuild your confidence and keep you focused can be really helpful.
One of my clients said:
“I didn’t really think I needed outplacement support until after I experienced it. I thought my CV was good and that I knew what I needed to do to get a new role, so I have to admit I was a bit sceptical but having participated I got real value in having someone impartial to talk to about how I felt and to get helpful feedback on my CV and insight to help my job search. The three sessions I had were incredibly useful and I wouldn’t hesitate to get the same support were I in the same position again. I am very grateful my employment lawyer recommended outplacement support.” Anon
So whatever the reasons for exiting the business, ask your employer or talk to your lawyer about what outplacement will be provided, put some pressure on the employer to provide some level of support to help you and others impacted by the business change so you don’t have to navigate this change alone.
Outplacement for individuals
It would be ideal if your employer provided someone to give you outplacement support, but you can also secure support yourself. I have worked 1-2-1 with lots of people facing losing their job, providing practical support to help them decide what kind of role they want to look for next, getting their CV polished and ready, and rehearsing interviews.
It’s a paid-for service, of course, but it’s also an investment in your future career and can pay off if you secure a new role quickly instead of having a gap in your employment when you have to rely on your severance package to pay the bills.
For a free, no obligation chat about whether my outplacement services are worth it, email me
