While we all go through our different struggles in life, one that everyone has shared is finding a new job. Job hunting in 2020 and the first few months of 2021 have proven challenging for many people, as companies try to recover from the financial hit that the COVID-19 pandemic dealt.
Despite the stress that job hunting brings, there are many solutions at your disposal, one of which is outplacement.
If you aren’t familiar with what outplacement is, check out our most recent blog here. Outplacement has been a popular service since the 1950s, and over time it’s adapted to the modern job search. With that, myths and misconceptions have come about in regards to what outplacement is and what it can do for those looking for work.
Carter Recruiting and Associates has over 20 years of experience with outplacement services, so we’d like to debunk some of its most common myths.
#1: Outplacement is for executives only
When outplacement originally began, it was mostly used for people in executive positions. But as social media and modern technology has cast a bigger spotlight on companies and how they handle their employees, this has changed. The average employees’ tenure is 4.5 years as well, which is not nearly as long as it used to be. Outplacement services can be used for all employees, and it’ll drastically improve your chances of landing the dream job you’ve always wanted.
#2: Millenials and Gen Zs don’t need help finding a job
While this is a popular notion, it certainly isn’t true, especially now that we’re still trying to come back from the COVID-19 pandemic. No matter a person’s age, getting professional help on resumes, cover letters, job interviews, and more can make a massive difference in a person’s career.
#3: Employees prefer severance packages over outplacement
If you ask employees, “which would you rather have: cash or a new job?”, many believe that they’ll take the cash over the opportunity to work with a company during their job hunting search. Outplacement services have proven to be 60% faster when it comes to an employee finding work again, and as these services become more and more popular, more employees are seeking professional assistance over cash handouts from severance packages.
#4: Outplacement services can’t be done virtually
While outplacement originally began inside the office, our world has drastically changed, especially in the past year. Platforms such as Zoom and Skype have taken over the working world as we’ve adapted our daily lives during COVID-19. Our recruiting agency loves coaching employees from the comforts of their own home, to ensure safety and to provide our clients with more options.
#5: It’s not worth the cost
When people think of layoffs, they usually think companies are attempting to cut costs and that investing in outplacement services defeats the purpose of cutting costs. But there are a couple of things wrong with this. First, there are several reasons why a company may layoff employees. One of the more common reasons is when business make acquisitions or conduct mergers, they oftentimes have to lay off employees because of duplication of skills.
Second, there are other reasons why companies invest in outplacement, such as protecting their brand’s reputation, avoiding legal action, and keeping all remaining employees calm and focused. Outplacement protects not only the laid-off employee, but also the integrity of the company and their day-to-day operations.
We encourage you to read our previous blog on outplacement, so that you can have a better understanding of what it is and how it can help you find work in 2021. If you have any questions for us, please feel free to reach out by phone at (501) 812-5627 or email our owner Cherie at cherie@crecruits.com.
Carter Recruiting and Associates is one of the largest independent recruiting and outplacement companies in Arkansas. Our headquarters, located in Little Rock and our satellite office in Conway, both service accounts nationwide. We have satisfied clients and references from some of the largest companies in the state. With over 50 collective years of experience in the recruiting business, we have a vast amount of resources and knowledge to ensure a job well done.