Top Outplacement Firms: 4 Key Considerations

A young Black woman leads her team in a project meeting

By

Robyn Kern

Categories

The task to select an outplacement provider, whether during an annual review of benefits, or in preparation for a reduction in force, can feel overwhelming. So how can you be sure you’re choosing a top outplacement firm? Below, we review the features and benefits that strong programs offer, so that during your evaluation process you can easily compare outplacement companies and find the right benefits for your organization.

Top Outplacement Firms: Key Considerations

The Company

When comparing outplacement vendors, you want to take both a holistic and micro view. Consider each firm’s reputation, its responsiveness to customer needs and requests, and its ability to support your workforce wherever it may be, whether in the U.S. or globally. It may also be important to you that the provider offers cost-effective solutions, and that it can easily scale its solutions quickly to service sudden events. These are just some of the considerations involved with comparing and choosing the right outplacement firm.

Career Coaching

Career coaches are vital to the success of an outplacement program. When evaluating different providers, you’ll want to consider not only the experience of the coaches, but also the method and approach of delivery. For example, is the coaching personalized? Is it offered only during the week or also on weekends? Can participants get coaching without time or session caps? Having this information will ensure you’re making an accurate comparison. It will also help you to choose a program that offers your employees the greatest benefit to expedite their paths to meaningful new employment. There are many other features to consider when looking at coaching services from different providers, so read the list below.

Online Career Center

A resource-rich technology platform is a component of a full-service outplacement program that bolsters coaching by providing tools employees can use on their own and/or with the help of a coach to enrich their job search and transition experience. From assessments to resume builders, job boards to interview practice tools, and workshops to guides, the right outplacement program will offer an easy-to-navigate center for everything a job seeker needs to support their coaching experience.

Implementation

Even the best program won’t be as effective as it could be if impacted employees can’t get started quickly. A worthwhile outplacement provider will have best-in-class account management that ensures you have the support you need where and when you need it. Also check the vendor’s record regarding service outages, and its ability to provide reporting, so that you can be sure you’re getting the right value for your investment.

Selecting a Top Outplacement Provider

Being armed with a comprehensive list of desirable features will help you choose an outplacement company and programs that best suit your needs and that make the greatest difference for your impacted employees. In turn, that choice will make the selection and implementation process easier for your management team, and offer the best protection for your employer brand.

Additional Resources for Selecting a Top Outplacement Vendor

Outplacement Vendor Checklist

The Essential Guide to Outplacement

How to Get the Best Results from an Outplacement RFP

INTOO’s outplacement program helps employees transition to new jobs through an unlimited number of hours of one-on-one, on-demand coaching from premier career counselors, resume reviews, and other career services. Learn more about how our outplacement program can benefit your company when you’re transitioning employees.

Robyn Kern

Robyn Kern is a seasoned business writer who has written in the HR, education, technology, and nonprofit spaces. She writes about topics including outplacement, layoffs, career development, internal mobility, candidate experience, succession planning, talent acquisition, and more, with the goal of surfacing workforce trends and educating the HR community on these key topics. Her work has been featured on hrforhr.org and trainingindustry.com.

Learn how to effectively build and transition your workforce.

Latest Posts

How to Demote an Employee Responsibly 
How to Demote an Employee Responsibly 

Demoting an employee is one of the most delicate decisions a manager can face. Unlike promotions, which energize and motivate, demotions can feel like discouraging setbacks. For the employee, it can create feelings of disappointment, shame, frustration, or even fear...

How to Improve Workplace Efficiency in 2025 
How to Improve Workplace Efficiency in 2025 

In today’s business environment, workplace efficiency is a defining factor for long-term success. With AI projected to unlock $4.4 trillion in productivity gains, organizations that streamline workflows gain a decisive edge.  Yet efficiency goes beyond adopting new...

What Is Micro-Retirement? 
What Is Micro-Retirement? 

Micro-retirement is a modern approach to work-life balance that challenges the traditional idea of retirement.  Instead of waiting until the end of a decades-long career to take a break, micro-retirement encourages people to step away from work at various points...

Respect at Work: Why It Matters and How to Promote It 
Respect at Work: Why It Matters and How to Promote It 

Respect is often defined as “a high or special regard,” or “an act of giving particular attention.” In a workplace context, it goes beyond manners or protocol. It means recognizing the unique strengths, perspectives, and contributions of every individual, and...

Is AI Taking Over Jobs? What Employers Need to Know in 2025 
Is AI Taking Over Jobs? What Employers Need to Know in 2025 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s a present-day workplace reality. From factory floors to corporate offices, AI-driven automation is streamlining processes and changing how decisions are made.  This rapid rise of AI is prompting a...

How to Improve Organizational Performance in 2025 
How to Improve Organizational Performance in 2025 

The companies that lead today are the ones that perform consistently, decisively, and across every level. Every system, process, and individual contributes to organizational performance. When goals are clear and people are aligned, execution improves, shaping how a...

Live Training: Engage High Performers Before It’s Too Late
Live Training: Engage High Performers Before It’s Too Late

High performers deliver outsized impact, but they’re also the most at risk of disengaging when their growth and purpose are overlooked. Join us for a discussion on how HR leaders can guide their organizations in recognizing the warning signs and rethinking how they...

How to Spot and Prevent Fake Candidates in 2025 
How to Spot and Prevent Fake Candidates in 2025 

The modern hiring process is evolving rapidly, shaped by advances in technology and a shift toward flexible work arrangements. With the rise of remote work, contract roles, and outsourced recruiting, companies are encountering a new and increasingly prevalent...

How to Hire Remote Employees 
How to Hire Remote Employees 

What once began as a flexible work trend has now evolved into a critical component of modern workforce strategy: hiring remote employees.  Organizations across various industries are embracing remote talent to unlock new levels of agility, cost efficiency, and access...

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Learn about career solutions and trends that matter to the HR community.