Blog Post: Why Should You Consider Providing Job Search Skills to Your Exiting Employees?

Losing a job can be the beginning of a long and challenging process. The job search, depending on how long it has been since one has searched for a new position, can be the most challenging part of the process.  Because the job search process is constantly evolving it can be hard to know exactly what to do or where to start ultimately prolonging a person getting back to work.

Where was the last place I put my resume?  How should I update my resume? How have things changed since the last time I looked for a job?  How do I look for a job today? Why do I have to apply online? Should I write a cover letter?  How do I interview?  Where do I begin?

Every HR person knows a mistake made in the job search process can mean we won't be extending a job offer.  We know this because we see it with those who have applied in the past to our organizations.  Do we ever stop to think those mistakes could be extending the period of time that job seeker might collect unemployment?  Why would we, they aren't collecting it from our unemployment accounts.  Now think about the mistakes we see made by job seekers except now that job seeker is your employee whom you have had to let go.  Making a mistake in the job search process could mean your former employee does not get back to work as quickly as they could and extends the period of time they are collecting on your unemployment account.

One way to help that employee is to provide outplacement services.  Outplacement services are designed to meet the specific needs of the transitioning job seeker searching for a job in today’s market.   Many companies today provide these services to their exiting employees because it is a win-win for both the employee and the organization.  It gives the employee better job search skills and the confidence they need to get hired faster which will save the organization money in the long run. 

A person who has lost their job can be faced with many complicated emotions.  Even if the reason is downsizing they can feel like a failure, have issues with self-esteem, and can generally take longer to bounce back. I think that is normal for anyone who is faced with a life challenge.  An outplacement program can go a long way to help build the skills they need to search for a new position effectively. Outplacement services also help with the company’s employment brand and the morale of those employees who remain with the organization.