The "consultation" was somewhat helpful -- mostly some guy looking at your resume and giving hints and suggestions on how to spiff it up. Also, hints on how to apply for unemployment benefits, and what to expect, etc.
Most of the "counselors" are themselves out-of-work human resources people.
It's mostly a place that you can "go to in the morning" to take the edge off of not having a real place of work to "go to in the morning."
They offer class after class after class -- much of it middle-age life-change psycho-babble, and after a couple of hours, most begin realize they're just spinning their wheels.
Nobody makes any money while they are there, that's for sure.
There are no real leads for jobs. No employers go to these places to recruit employees. Employers want young, energetic winners.
These places reek of has-been losers -- I hate to say it.
These places are a "perk" that some employers give to laid-off employees. It does cost the employer some money, and it's worth something, so it's wise to take advantage of it, even if it's just for a few days.
Once an employer offers you this perk, it's a kiss of death in that you can pretty well bet you will never be hired back by that employer. The employer who laid you off may eventually open new job requisitions looking for some young, educated candidates. But face it, but you will never be hired back, unless you've got some sort of union "last fired, first hired" deal.
My guess is few stick around at these "outplacement" places for more than a few days.
Time to move on.
Good luck.
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eastcoastguyz
13 years ago
Thanks for sharing that with us. I only know of one person who went to an outplacement service arranged by their employer and the only details I got was there was a meeting about how to change your resume. I had the impression it was a one day event. Had no idea they had desks and people would come there each day. I was wondering if that was something for the movie and not realistic. It does cost the company money, but I guess they found out this reduces the number of lawsuits. For many people, a job isn't just about money. A co-worker told me about a guy who was fired and continued to show up to work each day. They had to inform security that he wasn't allowed in the building anymore.
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silentmovie
13 years ago
The one I went to had some cheap office furniture and ancient computers with slow internet connections. I believe there were some telephones. There was a bookshelf with "books" that were frankly a waste of time.
You were allowed something like "30 days use of the facility" if you really wanted it, before they booted you out.
The place I went to also had a web site with all of the information and curriculum and even video "classes" you can watch. I watched about five minutes of one of the videos before I turned it off.
It doesn't take long for one to realize that they would be just as well off at home or at Starbucks with a new laptop and a smartphone.
Kinda' depressing, like this movie.
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