How to choose an executive outplacement firm?
- Sylvain Langellier
- Apr 15
- 4 min read
Selecting an executive outplacement firm: what criteria should you take into account?
An outplacement consultancy, sometimes also referred to as a professional redeployment consultancy, helps people make the transition from one job to another after they have terminated their employment contract. Whether it's a contractual termination or redundancy, outplacement consultants support individuals in their search for a future job.
As the employer generally takes charge of this service, it is the employer who suggests several names of firms to departing members of the Executive Committee or Management Board. Finding the right partner for this career move is essential to ensure its success. Let's take a look at the criteria that should not be overlooked when choosing the right executive outplacement firm.
The approach and experience of the teams
Before choosing an individual outplacement solution, it's important to consider the team's experience and their vision of the profession. How long has the career management coach been in business? What sets the service apart? For example, within the Networking Premium Group, we have developed a unique program in France based on the practice of networking to bounce back.
Studies confirm that networking is a resource to be exploited to the full, as many of the jobs to be filled are to be found in the “hidden job market”. These are jobs that have not yet been or will not be published. They will be co-opted or recommended. According to Apec(1), co-optation now accounts for 40% of executive recruitment.
Knowledge of the candidate's business
The career mobility consultant must provide candidates with a rigorous analysis of the job market and help them identify the hard and soft skills that set them apart from their competitors.
When you're a member of an executive committee, the quest for a career opportunity takes on many specific features. The advisor must be able to brief him/her on the codes to adopt to avoid missteps.
>> Looking for an outplacement program for executives? Discover our new offer: the Networking Business Package.
The duration of support, an important factor in choosing an executive outplacement firm
Look for a firm that will follow the executive's career transition over a long period of time. The transition from reflection to action generally takes several months. It's best to choose a service provider who will continue to provide support until the objective has been reached. In other words, opt for a formula that ends once the candidate has signed a new employment contract.
You should also ask about the practicality and flexibility of the sessions. A solution that combines face-to-face and distance learning sessions ensures regular appointments and the candidate's progress.
The firm's professional repositioning network
The best outplacement firms are those with a solid network. The coachee will need to interview peers as part of the process of defining his or her project, in order to verify its relevance. Once their search objective has been validated, they can be put in touch with other managers in their sector or with recruiters.
It's also sometimes easier to talk about your goals at friendly events where the stakes seem lower. In this case, networking evenings are a real asset.
Skills developed during the search for a new position
Nowadays, job hunting requires a number of skills: analyzing the best options for the next stage of your career, building a relevant presentation, identifying the right people to contact and communicating on social networks.
Working on new skills is not only motivating for the coachee, but also guarantees that he or she will be able to capitalize on what he or she has learned when taking up a new position. Gaining oral fluency, for example, will pay dividends in many professional situations.
The agreement between talent and career transition coach
The candidate's ability to work towards an ambitious career plan also depends on the feeling shared by the person in transition and their consultant. In fact, the more they feel confident, the more they will open up without fear of being judged. Any obstacles or blocks are removed, and the career plan is in line with the candidate's values and aspirations.
Before getting started, we recommend a quick meeting to get to know each other. Ask about the possibility of changing your contact person during the program, should the exchanges prove unsatisfactory.
Original services
Some companies add unique services to speed up the process of changing jobs. Within the Networking Premium Group, we boost the candidate's visibility with a radio interview broadcast on several media.
If so desired, we can also put him/her in touch with foundations, associations or young growing companies to carry out assignments as a pro bono consultant. It's a way of continuing to develop your expertise while expanding your professional network.
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