What laid-off employees can expect in outplacement

With the rash of corporate layoffs announced in recent days, many people are likely to find themselves receiving outplacement help in the weeks ahead. But they may not know what to expect since outplacement has changed a great deal in the last decade, according to global career services firm Lee Hecht Harrison.

People may think outplacement is hand-holding or resume preparation, but career consulting is always adapting to changes in the business world and job market, said Lee Hecht Harrison Chief Operating Officer China Gorman. Outplacement providers have devoted greater resources, invested in new technology, fine-tuned methodologies and created new delivery channels to help the newly unemployed make successful career transitions.

Gorman cited seven things people can expect in outplacement today:

• Job Seeking as a Business Project: Throughout the '90s outplacement consulting evolved from what was primarily a counseling model into a project model with all the elements of a work assignment...research, analysis, objectives, strategy, networking, coaching and measuring results with the goal of getting the right job as fast as possible.
  
• Job-Search Technology: Five years ago job-search technology was a novelty, but today it's essential. Outplacement firms must provide access to the latest technology, and some even have proprietary interfaces to help clients navigate among an increasing array of research resources, databases and job banks. Of particular value are job-filtering and push technology which cut through the clutter, deliver customized data on openings and connect people with better jobs faster. And job-search technology is available 24/7.
  
• Job Development: In the past people in outplacement might find job leads on a central bulletin board, but today they're increasingly provided with leads by the outplacement firm. Drawing on contacts, relationships, research and systematic outreach, consultants are able to connect the job seeker with real leads and even make personal introductions.
  
• Work Teams: More outplacement firms encourage people to do their job search as part of a work team, a setting which affords mutual support and advice, goal setting, shared networking and contacts as well as better productivity and quicker results.
  
• Virtual Outplacement: For people unable to commute to an outplacement facility, some firms have created programs which make it possible for them to experience the full benefits of outplacement, including work teams and networking, via the Internet and other communications vehicles.
  
• Available Help 24/7: Today's job market knows no time constraints. Like job-search technology, outplacement consultants are available around the clock, seven days a week.
  
• Negotiation Advice: Job offers today may be more generous, but they also tend to be more complicated, and there may even be several to choose from. Fortunately, outplacement firms are among the most savvy and experienced when it comes to job negotiation advice. In fact, the greatest single benefit of outplacement is the advice they receive from the consultant.

The challenge for today's job seeker is not just getting a job, but getting the right job, said Gorman. Even though the number of companies downsizing is on the rise, there's still a strong job market for skilled workers. Someone can always get a new position, but the outplacement process improves the odds of getting a better one career-wise. A career, much like a retirement fund, is a life-long investment and should benefit from the advice a professional can provide.

Lee Hecht Harrison was established in 1974 and has offices worldwide. The firm is a subsidiary of Adecco, the world's largest personnel services company, and provides a full range of career services including executive and group outplacement, large project work, executive coaching, career development programs and workforce consulting services. For more information about the firm and its recent research on HR topics, please visit Lee Hecht Harrison's web site at http://www.lhh.com.

SOURCE: Lee Hecht Harrison