
I just came across this article in the Wall Street Journal which says companies are stepping up layoffs because of the lack of economic recovery. I've been told by some sources to expect unemployment to reach 10% by the fall. And the government just eliminated extensions on unemployment benefits in July. WARNING: If you've been affected by a layoff, or you get laid off in near future, you should see if your employer will provide you with outplacement services to speed up your job search. Why? The average length of time it takes to find a job right now is 39 weeks. Unemployment benefits (depending where you are) run for 26 weeks. Do the math. You need help as a way to shorten that job search! What is Outplacement? Basically, it's job search support that's delivered either in-person or 0n-line. You'll receive training and assistance as a way to get your search in gear. What is GOOD Outplacement? Not all outplacement programs are created the same. And, just because they are more expensive, doesn't mean they are better. I've worked with people who paid 1,000s of dollars for "premium" outplacement with some big name firms, only to spend a year looking for work and not landing a single interview. By the time they reached my doorstep, they were pretty frustrated. To avoid this, keep in mind that good outplacement services:
- Let you work with career experts on ALL of your career tools including, resume, cover letter, career story, personal branding, LinkedIn profile, Twitter account, interview prep, informational interviewing, networking, salary negotiation, career transitions, salary negotiation, etc.
- Provide training materials in both written and video form that can be taken advantage of on-line so you can use them at your convenience. Some places demand that you attend classes in-person to receive their training. For many of us, this is not possible. So, outplacement that has extensive on-line support is better for most job seekers today.
- Can prove that their materials are helping people in today's economy actually find work.
- Are especially knowledgeable in the "new rules" to job search which rely heavily on social media as a way to find job opportunities as opposed to the outdated job boards.