This article is sponsored by The Muse’s Coach Connect, a premier career coaching outplacement service designed to help employees transition smoothly during layoffs and restructuring. Learn more about how partnering with Coach Connect can enhance your employer brand and provide essential support to your workforce.

Layoffs and restructuring can leave everyone reeling—both employees who are let go and those who remain. It’s a time of anxiety, confusion—and often—some pretty raw emotions. According to CNBC, over 305 thousand people experienced layoffs in 2023. This staggering number underscores the widespread impact of layoffs on the workforce, including mental health.

Outplacement career coaching can be a lifeline for employees and a smart move for companies during these challenging transitions. For transitioning employees, a good coach provides essential support and guidance for navigating job loss and finding new opportunities. 

For organizations, offering outplacement services demonstrates compassion and helps protect your reputation as an employer.

If your company is facing a reorganization, consider bringing in expert career coaches to ease the transition. The team at The Muse’s Coach Connect has tons of experience helping people not just survive, but thrive through career changes.

Using Career Coaching to Support Your Employees and Employer Brand

Navigating layoffs and restructuring is one of the toughest challenges HR leaders face. There’s a delicate balance between supporting departing employees and maintaining morale and productivity among those who remain.

Career coaching can help strike that balance.

Coach Connect, by The Muse, takes a personalized approach to helping employees navigate the challenges of job loss. Their expert coaches work one-on-one with each individual to create a tailored plan that fits their unique needs and goals. This includes everything from polishing resumes and preparing for interviews to providing access to the latest job search tools and resources.

“We have millions of visitors to our site monthly to help them with their careers,” says Eloise Eonnet, Director of Coach Connect at The Muse Group. “We have individually coached tens of thousands of them. Workforce professionals come to The Muse for solid, up-to-date career guidance. So, when their employer partners with us, they naturally trust our coaches to bring them the support they need. It’s not just outplacement, it’s outplacement with The Muse.”

The benefits of career coaching extend beyond just the employees who are leaving. By investing in coaching, companies demonstrate a commitment to their people, even during difficult times. This can go a long way in maintaining a positive employer brand, keeping morale and productivity high among the remaining team, and helping the company avoid attrition among remaining employees.

That’s especially important for small and mid-sized businesses, where every employee has a significant impact on company culture. For HR leaders facing the prospect of layoffs or restructuring, outplacement career coaching is well worth considering. The personalized guidance can make a real difference for departing employees while also providing value to the organization as a whole.

Busting the Myths About Outplacement Career Coaching

Despite the proven benefits of career coaching, there are still some common misconceptions floating around out there. Let’s bust a couple of the biggest myths:

Myth #1: Outplacement Coaching is Only for Big Tech Companies with Deep Pockets.

Reality: Coach Connect is on a mission to make top-notch outplacement services accessible to companies of all sizes. They work closely with each client to create customized packages that fit their unique needs and budgets. Whether you’re a scrappy startup or an established mid-size firm, Coach Connect has you covered. Their smallest package only costs a few hundred dollars per departing worker. While comprehensive packages are always great, what counts is to provide some support, even if it’s small. Coach Connect believes that every transitioning employee deserves assistance, regardless of their employer’s size or financial resources.

Myth #2: Career Coaching will Slow Down our Restructuring Process.

Reality: The Coach Connect team understands that speed is of the essence during a restructure. That’s why they pride themselves on their agility and efficiency in getting companies set up with outplacement services. Coach Connect often outpaces other providers in terms of delivery speed, ensuring that your departing employees receive the support they need as quickly as possible.

Eonnet added, “A recent partner reached out to us on a Friday morning: they were going through unexpected mass layoffs on Tuesday. We got on the phone with them and by that afternoon, everything was in motion: we understood what they were going through and what they needed from us. By Monday morning, their HR team had everything they needed to start providing outplacement to the departing team members who wanted to get started immediately.”

With Coach Connect’s streamlined approach, you can trust that implementing outplacement services will be a swift and seamless process, allowing you to focus on other critical aspects of your restructuring while ensuring your transitioning employees are well-supported.

Myth #3: Providing Outplacement Coaching will Burden HR with Additional Time Commitments.

Reality: Partnering with Coach Connect for outplacement services reduces the time and emotional burden on HR teams during a restructure. Instead of HR spending countless hours providing individual support to each departing employee, Coach Connect’s expert coaches handle the entire process, from initial consultations to ongoing guidance. This allows HR leaders to focus on critical tasks while ensuring transitioning employees receive the personalized support they need to move forward successfully. By offering outplacement coaching, you’re strategically managing your time and resources while demonstrating your commitment to your employees’ well-being.

Don’t let these common myths hold you back. If you’re considering outplacement services, take the time to explore your options and find a partner who can tailor their approach to your unique situation. Your employees (and your employer brand) will thank you.

Best Practices for HR Leaders

When a company goes through a restructure, HR leaders are on the front lines. You’re tasked with having difficult conversations, delivering tough news, and trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy and positivity amidst the chaos. It’s a challenging role, but approaching it with empathy and transparency can make all the difference.

Effective career coaching starts with HR leaders who prioritize:

1. Open, empathetic conversations with impacted employees. Losing a job is a majorly stressful life event. Providing clear information about their options and the support available can help alleviate some of that stress and uncertainty.
2. Giving employees a sense of agency in their departure. Involve them in discussions about their next steps and provide choices that align with their unique goals and circumstances. Coach Connect’s personalized approach to outplacement coaching is ideal for this. Their coaches take the time to understand each individual’s needs and tailor their support accordingly.
   
   “Every departing worker has specific needs to be successful, so we build in a lot of flexibility to meet them where they are,” said Eonnet. “After a restructuring, a recent partner asked if their employees could choose when to start their services: some wanted to begin the next day, and others wanted to take some time off before getting started. To us, it was a no-brainer. It’s essential to us to provide this kind of flexibility.”
3. Shaping the narrative around the restructure. Yes, losing valued team members is hard. But by highlighting the organization’s commitment to supporting people even as they transition out, you can maintain morale and preserve a positive employer brand. Consider sharing testimonials from alumni who have gone on to find great new roles with the help of your outplacement services. These stories can provide hope and motivation to current employees while painting the company in a positive light.
4. Partnering with experienced career coaches who can provide departing employees with expert support that complements your in-house HR efforts. Look for coaches with diverse backgrounds and a track record of helping people navigate career transitions. With their specialized expertise and the empathetic, human touch of HR, you can create a truly supportive experience for employees during a challenging time.

Restructuring is never easy. But by leading with empathy, providing meaningful support and engaging the right outplacement partners, HR leaders can make the process a little bit easier for everyone involved. This holistic approach benefits both the employees and the organization, fostering a supportive environment that maintains morale and productivity during transitions.

The Real-World Impact of Career Coaching

Studies consistently show that companies offering outplacement services during restructuring see clear benefits, including higher morale among remaining employees, improved employer branding, and more favorable public perception. But what does this look like in practice?

Stories of Successful Career Transitions

These testimonials from Coach Connect clients highlight the real-world benefits of career coaching.

“I already have several job interviews scheduled for roles that match my talents, which has given me newfound confidence and has made the interview process less daunting. The service is exceptional.”

“My coach was responsive, helpful, insightful and supportive. She helped me fine-tune my resume and gave valuable insights, as well as a good dose of encouragement, throughout the process. I feel in a much stronger position in my job search.”

HR Leaders Share Their Experiences

Coach Connect employer partners also attest to the value of their services and support—often returning as repeat customers.

“We chose to work with The Muse because they were quick to respond and adapted to our budget. We keep working with them because our departing workers gave us such great feedback on their experience.” — Mid-sized IT Company

“You are always a life saver 😊.” — Global Leader in the Travel Industry

This feedback shows the real-world impact of career coaching.

Investing in Your People, Investing in Your Future

Career coaching should be a key part of the strategy. It’s not just about supporting departing employees (although that’s essential). It’s about sending a clear message to your entire workforce and the broader talent market.

Investing in outplacement demonstrates that you value your people as individuals, not just as resources. This genuine commitment boosts morale, fosters loyalty and enhances your employer brand. It can even provide a competitive advantage in attracting top talent.

Career coaching isn’t just another item on the checklist. It’s a strategic investment in your people, your culture and your company’s future. Partnering with a provider like Coach Connect can have transformative effects on your organization.

Your employees and your bottom line will benefit from this investment in the long run.

Rod Hess

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Rod Hess is a marketing mad man, but more Doc Brown than Don Draper. Rod is the Content Marketing Director for RecruitmentMarketing.com and has been working in online marketing and advertising for over 15 years. He's been featured in publications like Forbes and Mashable. If you catch him tapping a pencil or bouncing his leg, it's because his brain never turns off. He's just dreaming up his latest AI scheme.