Outplacement services for directors, executives and senior staff
Outplacement services have always traditionally been associated with executive staff and directors, although now, outplacement is becoming more common across the full range of pay grades. Outplacement services offered to executives and directors tend to be more comprehensive and longer-term and are often included as a part of a settlement agreement.
Outplacement packages for senior executives and directors match some of the features offered to staff on the lower pay grades. However, they usually also provide some exclusive features, typically unlimited access to a dedicated and expert outplacement professional for a period of several months and until that individual is settled in a new role.
I cannot recommend this service highly enough. The support is excellent, and they follow up regularly to see how you’re getting on with your job search. After a sudden redundancy their advice was the main reason I secured new employment.
It has been wonderful experience working with Laurence Martin from Outplacement First in my job hunt after a recent redundancy. Laurence has helped to get my CV ready instantly and helped me prepare for interviews on very short notices. Laurence has always had a very open approach to the 2 career path options I had in my mind and helped me to keep things in the right perspective. As a result, I have already bagged a role in one of my career path and looking to attend interviews to bag a role in my second career path so that I can choose the most appropriate one. Laurence’s support and encouragement throughout the process has been an absolute confidence booster and motivation. Many thanks for all your support Laurence!
Having been made redundant from my previous organisation after twenty-four years, I wandered into the metaphorical grasp of Laurence feeling more than a little confused, uncertain and unsure of the new world which I was going to have to face into. LinkedIn, CVs, interviews were suddenly a set of very different set of dynamics which I was confronted with, but I simply cannot thank Laurence enough for all of the support, guidance, wisdom, advice and experience that he provided me with. Job search, even more so when one isn’t familiar with the process, is an incredibly lonely and frustrating place at times, but to know that there was a friendly face/voice there, one who was on my side and not with a vested interest, was enormously reassuring.
All of those elements which Laurence imported have proven to be pivotal in my successful securing of the role which I just have. I’m truly, truly grateful.
Thanks again, Laurence.
Gerry
Many senior executives are high-value individuals who may be struggling with the psychological impact of removal from their current position. Our outplacement service is tailored towards the needs of each participant. It is tactful, discrete and confidential, recognising both the unique challenges and opportunities of relocating people with a high degree of seniority. Our outplacement consultants operate with a blend of motivation and compassion, providing a quality service that boosts confidence and turns a negative situation into a positive possibility.
The initial step in any outplacement programme for executive and director-level staff is to identify the objectives of senior members of the company and develop a forward-thinking strategy around them. The tailored outplacement programme will then target several key areas.
We supported a small company in the embedded software sector. There were 28 employees ranging from technicians to managers and directors. Programmes were delivered to reflect seniority and length of service. All were on a 1:1 basis, but executives received more sessions with their peer-level consultant than the junior staff, as many as seven sessions, followed by ongoing proactive telephone and email support and access to comprehensive online resources. This lasted for six months. Feedback was excellent at all levels, particularly from senior management and directors, including personal commendations for particular consultants. Our prompt and personal response was highlighted many times over. This project saw a 100% resettlement rate.
Your current employer may offer an outplacement service as part of your settlement, its value is not included in your financial package, and they should pay for it. The benefit is tax-free and doesn’t count towards the £30,000 tax-free allowance for redundancy awards. If you don’t think the package is sufficiently helpful or want to choose a different provider, negotiate an additional service equal to the value offered in the settlement agreement.
Executive-level outplacement tends to last until an individual is settled into their new role. Part of the process before a new placement is evaluating competing offers and advising someone on how to make the best selection. This may also include negotiating terms. Your outplacement consultant is there for you until you have signed on the dotted line and your feet are well and truly under the table. Some outplacement services also include coaching assistance for a set period whilst an individual settles into their new job.
Direct approaches for work are common at director and executive level. A quality outplacement service will represent your interests with recruitment consultants and head hunters, support the applications you make for advertised posts and guide any approaches you want to make to firms or organisations directly.
