Outplacement - I have a choice?

Job loss without cause especially, is a challenge for a lot of reasons. Sometimes more than the money or the daily routine, people are initially frustrated by the fact that they didn't have control over the events. Why me? Why now? Why not later? Why not sooner? Why before a holiday? Why right before my child was born? Why on my birthday?

If your company offers you outplacement service, you have a real advantage over others that don't have this. Outplacement means that you work alongside a professional who helps you with:

1. managing job loss (how to tell others, referral to a financial planner)

2 assessment (skills and careers),

3. job skills readiness (resume, cover letter, interview, joining a new team)

4. action plans (strategies for outreach, networking, hidden jobs)

If you get outplacement service and you don't want it because you don't think it will help, go at least once to see what it's like. If you go and find that the fit isn't right, ask your employer if there is another service that you could use. Good HR professionals usually have insight on who to pair you up with, but if it isn't working, you can (tactfully) ask for someone else - really you can. At a time when it seems like your choices are limited or non existent, knowing that you have options on who to see and when, means that the control over your career is tipping back in your favour.