Why Don’t They Fully Use the Service?
I will be the first to admit, when one finds themselves in job search, it is a difficult thing. Whether, they have been in search in recent times, or if this is their first experience with it in a long number of years, (say 10 or more), it is not easy. Additionally, in today’s world of search there appears to be more applicants for job positions than every before. Some of that is that technology has made it “easier” for individuals to apply for job openings. Any person with a computer or cell phone can apply for any job almost anywhere in the world, if they take the time to fill out an online application. That does not mean the individual is necessarily qualified for the job. It may not even mean the job requires the person to be in the office in person for some time of the week, and they live not only not in the same city or state as the job, but may even not live in the same country or continent.
Compounding things even further is if a job searcher can be selected for an interview, they often will need to go through multiple interview rounds. Initial interviews may be done on different technologies, (telephone, computer application, even recording one’s answer to computer generated questions). The list goes on an on as to the process of 2025 job search.
I am a Job Search Strategy Coach (ie. a Career Coach). Most of my clients come to me through outplacement organizations for which I offer my services as a contractor. Admittedly, I have chosen to work in this format, (as opposed to seeking out my own clients directly), which is my choice. The usual outplacement arrangement is paid for by the company who has separated from the job searcher, and indicated they no longer need their services. It allows for assistance in resume development, resume preparation and strategizing with me as a professional coach. It is something that carries on often for as long as is needed, until the person in search finds their next job position.
One might think that all the clients assigned to me, jump on the outplacement service. After all, they get assistance from experts in the field. They can share what has been happening in their search and talk it out to modify and adapt search strategies. Often, in my experience, other clients have come up against the same challenges, and I am able to share what have been approaches that worked for them. And, while there are clients fully engaged in the search process who want to work with a coach on a regular basis, there are countless others who either never engage fully beyond a brief orientation introduction call. Still others may start out loyally engaged, and once they have a new resume, figure they have everything under control.
Why is this? For some, it may be that they have had success in the past with posting online or going through a recruiter, and feel that will work again. (Statistics show those two methods may have a 15% combined success rate in finding a job role.) For others, they go into with the mindset, just how hard can this job search process be? If I have a good resume, and I put it out there, my phone or email should be constantly busy. The reality is in 2025 job search world, between automated screening tools, an influx of candidates for every job position, given “the ease” of applying online, and a large mindset that leads one to believe, I will apply and I will hear back, job search is now a process very much equivalent to like getting on the freeway at rush hour. And, still others, feel the coach will make them “work” in terms of their search, and they are too proud, too tired, too frustrated to do that.
There have been those who initially do not use the outplacement services to their full capacity, and then reach out and ask if the services are still available to them, (often the service is). Others thank you for reaching out, but indicate they will handle this all by themselves. Sometimes they land, sometimes they do not, and frankly sometimes they give up the search process.
However, I would like to think about those clients who engaged the process from beginning to end. They learn the techniques that work better than others. Additionally, they are open to sharing processes with those in their network that face job search, and do not have the benefit of outplacement. Others will use it as an opportunity to not only find their next job, but lay the groundwork for the opportunity after that. And, others find it is an opportunity to connect with colleagues they worked with previously.
My advice to you, is if you are provided an outplacement benefit from a job from which you are being let go, take advantage of what it offers, (especially if the company you worked for is paying for the service). You could be bitter, you could feel that it is a waste of time, you may even be afraid of what is expected of you. However, I have found those who have engaged the process emerge stronger for having taken advantage of the opportunity, and use it as a springboard for the development of the next stages of their career.
