Being an executive is a difficult job. When a company experiences a challenge that ultimately leads to layoffs or downsizing, sometimes the executives are let go from the operation too. This can have the same detrimental effects as when non-executives are laid off. But in an executive role, there is often a long tenure to be considered that they’ve spent with that particular company. Seeking a new role at a different organization in that light might be more daunting for them. That’s where outplacement Services can swoop into the rescue. With executive-focused outplacement, a former executive from an organization can carve out a new, comparable role for themselves with the right retargets. Here is a guide of what to look for in executive outplacement services.

Finding A Job In A Completely Different World

Everything changes. The world is constantly in a state of flux. For the workplace, the methods and retargets of bygone eras have largely given way to unique ways of working. According to Pew Research Center, preparing for a new job requires a lot more effort and preparation than ever before (at least in the past three decades). A focus on improving social, communication, and analytical skills is critical. Job seekers need to do more preparation, develop more soft skills, and have a keen understanding of technology to gain an edge in the modern workplace. As times changed, the shift toward analytical and tech-savvy skills began to replace the once-ubiquitous demand for manual labor. In that same Pew Research Center study, researchers found that as manufacturing work declined in recent decades, knowledge and service-oriented sectors began to gain prominence. Largely due to globalization and outsourcing, companies have changed the way they operate. Communication is a key skill for the modern workplace, as is an understanding of how technology intertwines with our modern lives to help organizations accomplish their goals. Outplacement in the modern-day helps prepare executives—who may not have had to look for a new job in some time—to go out there and land a new career fast. 

Relationship Management

In the role of an executive, managing relationships and communicating make up a large part of the job. But as the shifting reality of the job market demonstrates, things have changed considerably. When your outplacement firm provides a relationship manager, they’re supposed to help keep you on track and focused on the task at hand. With their help, you can develop better networking and online communication skills to find the right new role for you.

Understanding Branding

The role of mass media and technology in our culture aptly demonstrates the power of good branding. This extends even further into the professional realm. That’s why re-developing your brand for the modern world is so essential. Branding is all above consistency and conveying a message about who you are and what you have to offer. In an outplacement scenario, executives should have a branding coach who can help them in this key area. Resume tailoring happens during this stage. What do you want your resume to convey about you? It should highlight your accomplishments and why you’re a perfect fit for an executive role at any organization. An outplacement branding coach is ideal for helping to tailor make a resume for this purpose. Branding coaches also help develop a sense of what your media presence should look like to highlight your talents, along with any marketing you should consider for making yourself stand out in the executive talent pool.

Executive Career Coaching

For former executives, there are several tiers of helpful executive outplacement to help them get into a new executive role elsewhere. Career coaches are sort of like the go-to person for helping candidates achieve their goals. A good career coach will steer you in the right direction while providing key insights into the future of work. These are highly trained professionals with a background, often in the career field from which the executive originally came. Along with career coaching, job concierges can hand pick potential jobs that might be a good fit for the executive candidate.

Future-Proofing An Executive Role

The phrase “future-proofing” tends to be thrown around quite a bit in various circles. But what does it really mean? In broad terms, it means to make sure that something – whether it be an institution or technology, or even the way jobs are performed – can evolve when the technology inevitably changes. What that means in broader terms for people is that outplacement should prepare you to be able to thrive in any new environment. Since many executives probably haven’t had to look for work in a while, remaining up to date on current practices, learning new skills, participating in webinars, and taking advantage of everything job coaches have to offer is a surefire way to eventually future-proof your career.