The other side of Outplacement

As one of Western Australians leading companies providing outplacement and career transition support to many local and national companies, we see both sides of the story. If there is one complaint that most people have, when their role is made redundant, it’s not that it wasn’t necessary for the company to make that hard decision, but it’s the way the message was relayed and the process around the redundancy that leaves an impression.

Once someone’s role has been made redundant and the person has left the company, it is not usually on the radar of the company to appreciate what the individual may have to go through to find that next role.

Someone (not a CLT client) recently posted on LinkedIn their experience in looking for a new role, very bluntly and very succinctly, and it is not a pretty story:

“5 Months.

· 5 months to find a fulltime job.

· 5 months of not being able to provide for my family.

· 5 months of feeling like sh*t.

· 5 months of self-doubt.

· 5 months of thoughts on the “My Why”

· 5 months of waking up nauseous from the crippling anxiety, mental pain and lack of sleep.

· 5 months that included my wife’s birthday and a Christmas.

· 5 months believing the lies and the opinions of others.

· 5 months of finding out who my REAL friends and support network is.

· 5 months of self-discovery and realising how many frigging amazing people there are out there.

· 5 months to understand that jobs will come and go but don’t you dare give up.

· 5 months of figuring out if I actually wanted to remain in the rollercoaster and toxic work world

So, thank you to the ones that hurt me, betrayed me, used me, belittled me and most of all nearly pushed me off that bridge.”

As an Outplacement support organisation, we practically and emotionally assist people as they transition through this difficult time. Statistically, having a logical and focused approach to job search will land an individual their new role 3 times faster than people going alone, and that’s what Career Life Transitions gives the individual.

So, if you’re faced with the difficult and challenging decision to restructure, consider going the extra mile and provide outplacement support, costs are much less than you think. We understand that for the company, the people part of the restructuring process ends as people walk out the door, but those people are faced with a range of challenges that may even appear insurmountable to some of them. It is worth the time and effort to extend to people a helping hand by way of support as they transition into a new opportunity.

We firmly believe people should exit a company with the same attention and respect as when they joined. It benefits the company as well, the values and culture statement of the company will also include something about looking after the people, restructuring is what will put that to the test and under the microscope – are you doing what you preach. It also makes sense when maintaining a company’s brand in the marketplace, people are looking at how companies treat their people at all stages of the working life cycle and poor restructuring is a key red flag.

Some testimonials from CLT Candidates to show the value of redundancy done right.

Jennifer and the team at Career Life are warm and professional. Career Life’s team are dedicated to placement options and guidance that makes professional sense throughout a wide range of career genres and levels. I found their input invaluable and no hesitation recommending their services
Career Life Transitions program is rewarding from a developmental perspective. Peter James is proving an immeasurable amount of help and guidance during a very important transition in my career, and has helped me grow both professionally and personally. The program is amazing. Using Career Life Transitions program really highlights your strengths and weaknesses, and gives me the direction I need to decide which pathway to take. Career Life Transitions has altered the course of my career.
Thanks to Peter for the excellent advice regard my recent change in employment status. Peter helped me develop a more contemporary resume which definitely changed the way prospective employers viewed me. Would recommend Career Life Transitions to anyone having to deal with just that, a transition in career.
I happen to avail services of CAREER LIFE TRANSITIONS during my own professional transition and from the beginning Peter James worked with me in distilling my skills & professional accomplishments and helped me crystallise what I wanted to transition into. Further, I got help from Peter in updating my CV & LinkedIn profile and I could use their other tools to effectively expand my network and attend interviews with confidence. Peter is process grounded, hands on, pragmatic, engaging and provided personalised tips at appropriate times that enabled me to stay on course. Above all, he stayed with me till the end. I could not recommend Career Life Transitions enough to anyone who is in need of their services.