Before You Start Your Job Search, Check Whether You Have Outplacement Support

 

Losing a job can be overwhelming. Whether the change was expected or came as a surprise, most people immediately focus on the same question: What's next?

For many, the instinct is to update a resume, start applying for jobs, and look for a role similar to the one they just left. It's a natural response. Your experience, professional identity, and confidence are often tied to the work you've done.

But today's job market is changing rapidly. AI, automation, and evolving business needs are transforming roles across industries. The next opportunity that advances your career may not look exactly like the one you had before.

That's why one of the most important steps you can take as you start your career transition isn't submitting more applications.

It's finding out whether you have access to professional career transition support.

Many People Don't Realize They Have This Benefit

If you've recently been laid off, your former employer may have included outplacement support as part of your separation package.

Yet many professionals either overlook this benefit, aren't sure what it includes, or never activate it at all.

That's unfortunate, because career transition support provides access to career coaches, job-search technology, interview practice, labor market insights, networking opportunities, and personalized guidance designed to help you move forward faster and with greater confidence.

In other words, support that may already be available to you at no cost.

Career Changes Are Becoming More Complex

According to LHH's 2026 Redeployment & Outplacement Trends Report, nearly nine in ten HR leaders say they have recently completed layoffs or are considering workforce reductions in the coming year.

At the same time, employees are increasingly concerned about long-term career security. Many worry their industry is changing, their skills may become outdated, or they may need to reinvent themselves to stay competitive.

Source: LHH’s 2026 Redeployment & Outplacement Trends Report 

We're seeing this shift in our own data.

Over the past four years, 74% of LHH career transition candidates began their search by pursuing roles similar to those they had lost.

However, 58% ultimately moved into a different function or industry.

The reality is that career transitions today are often about much more than finding the next available job. They're about understanding how your skills translate into emerging opportunities and building a career that can adapt as the world of work evolves.

Why Professional Guidance Matters

When you're navigating a career transition alone, it's easy to get stuck.

You may be wondering:

• Which roles am I truly qualified for?
• What transferable skills do I have?
• Is it time to consider a new industry?
• How should I position my experience?
• What skills should I develop next?
• How do I stand out in a competitive job market?

These are difficult questions to answer on your own.

That's why many professionals choose to work with career coaches during a transition. A coach can help you evaluate opportunities objectively, identify strengths you may be overlooking, build a focused job-search strategy, and maintain momentum during what can be an emotionally challenging period.

In fact, we're seeing candidates schedule significantly more coaching sessions than they did just six months ago, reflecting growing demand for expert guidance in an increasingly complex labor market.

Tools Can Help. Human Support Makes the Difference.

Technology has transformed the job search process.

Today, there are countless AI-powered tools designed to help you explore career paths, improve your resume, and prepare for interviews. But with so many options available, it can be difficult to know which tools to trust or where to start.

LHH's Career Studio makes it simpler, bringing trusted technology together in one place, alongside expert coaching and support.

Available resources may help you:

Discover New Career Possibilities: Career Canvas helps candidates explore career paths aligned with their skills, strengths, interests, and earning goals, often uncovering opportunities they may not have previously considered.

Strengthen Your Personal Brand: Resume Builder facilitates creating targeted resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and cover letters that clearly communicate a candidate’s value to employers.

Prepare for Interviews: Interview Centre provides realistic practice interviews and personalized feedback to help candidates build confidence before speaking with hiring managers and recruiters.

The most successful transitions happen when digital tools are combined with human expertise, encouragement, and accountability.

In today’s job market, career transitions are becoming more complex. As this candidate testifies on Trustpilot, it takes a combination of emphatic career coaching, smart tools and personalized support to move forward with confidence. LHH has earned a 4.4 "Excellent" rating on Trustpilot, making a real difference in helping thousands of candidates worldwide navigate a hard season of their lives.

 

Career Transition Is About More Than Your Next Job

Traditional outplacement programs were often evaluated based on how quickly someone found a new role. But today's job market requires something more.

The goal isn't simply to help someone become employed again as quickly as possible.

The goal is to help them remain employable, adaptable, and confident throughout their career.

Sometimes that means pursuing a similar role. Other times it means exploring an entirely new direction.

The important thing is having the support, resources, and insights needed to make informed decisions about what comes next.

Don't Leave Available Support Unused

If you've recently experienced a layoff or career transition, take a few minutes to review your separation package or check whether your former employer partnered with LHH.

Many professionals are surprised to discover they already have access to personalized career transition support, professional coaching, and job-search resources.

And when people take advantage of that support, the impact is clear. LHH has earned a 4.4 "Excellent" rating on Trustpilot, with candidates consistently praising the value of our career coaches, tools and personalized support in helping them navigate their job search and move forward with confidence.

That support could make a meaningful difference in your next career move.

Check your eligibility today at register.lhh.com and see whether career transition support is already available to you.