Outplacement in Switzerland: turning a break-up into a career springboard

A career break is often experienced as a shock, a moment of doubt or even injustice. However, in Switzerland, more and more professionals and companies are choosing to transform this sensitive stage into a real opportunity, thanks tooutplacement(1) . Much more than a simple job search aid, this is a strategic and human accompaniment designed to secure the transition, boost confidence and pave the way towards a more solid and aligned professional project. But in concrete terms, what doesoutplacement encompass, who is it aimed at and how does it differ from other forms of career coaching?

What isoutplacement ?

L'outplacement is a support system for people in career transition , often following a breach of contract, redundancy or restructuring. Contrary to popular belief, it's not just for executives: any professional going through a period of change can benefit.

In Switzerland,outplacement is frequently offered by employers as part of individual or collective redundancy packages. It can also be part of a negotiated severance package. Some candidates finance this service themselves when they want tailor-made support to accelerate their repositioning or explore a career change.

Who can benefit from outplacement in Switzerland?

outplacement concerns :

• Redundant managers or employees.
• Professionals leaving a position following a reorganization or strategic change.
• Expatriates need to adapt to the Swiss market.
• Self-employed people wishing to return to salaried employment.

How doesoutplacement differ from other services?

outplacement has several distinct features:

• Skills assessment: often focused on analyzing aptitudes and possible career paths, but without necessarily providing operational support for the job search.
• Classic professionalcoaching : geared towards development in a current position or managing situations internal to the company.
• InternalHR support: relevant for development within the same organization, but less neutral than an external viewpoint focused exclusively on the beneficiary's interests.

outplacement is unique because it combines introspection and action, strategic thinking and execution planning, all in an independent and confidential setting.

Outplacement, Newplacement, In-placement: what are the differences?

In Switzerland, there are a number of terms used to describe professional support services that are similar, but do not exactly cover the same realities.outplacement refers to the support given to a person after the end or termination of a contract, in order to facilitate his/her repositioning in the job market or his/her reorientation.

Newplacement, a term more common in international companies and in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, focuses on proactive preparation for a "new place", and is characterized by a forward-looking approach, sometimes initiated even before the official departure.

Finally, in-placement refers to internal mobility: accompanying an employee to a new position within the same company, often to avoid redundancy and capitalize on existing skills. Understanding these nuances will help you choose the right solution for your situation.

The benefits ofoutplacement for individuals and companies

For the person being supported, effective outplacement brings concrete and lasting benefits:

• Clear vision and strategy: know where to go, why and what steps to take.
• Application tools optimized to Swiss standards (CV, complete dossier, LinkedIn profile).
• Activated network thanks to the coach 's connections and a targeted networking plan.
• Advanced search techniques: direct approach, unsolicited applications, structured follow-up.
• Strengthen employability by updating skills and boosting self-confidence in a confidential, secure environment in which to reflect freely on career choices.
• A secure, confidential setting in which to freely reflect on career choices.

Butoutplacement is not just a lever for the individual: the companies that use it also find real benefits. By offering quality support to their departing employees, they :

• Preserve their image and employer brand by showing that they care for their employees, even in times of separation.
• Reduce social tensions by accompanying change in a respectful and humane way.
• Facilitate people's transition to a new job, thus limiting the risk of disputes or conflicts.
• Reinforce internal trust: the remaining teams see that the company treats everyone with consideration, which supports motivation and commitment.

In short,outplacement is a win-win investment: it helps the employee to bounce back quickly and serenely, while enabling the company to maintain quality professional relations, even in difficult times.

Conclusion: what if now was the right time to talk about it?

Whether you're a professional in transition or a company keen to support its employees with dignity,outplacement is not just a service: it's an investment in the future.

In Switzerland, where networks are powerful but sometimes closed, having access to confidential, neutral support focused on the interests of the individual is a strategic advantage. Here, every exchange takes place in a secure setting, where trust is the rule and speech can be completely free. It is in this protected space that the best decisions and the most solid projects are born.

For individuals, it's an opportunity to turn a difficult stage into a real professional springboard. For companies, it's a concrete way of preserving their reputation, reinforcing their social responsibility and maintaining a climate of trust, even in times of change.

If you recognize yourself in these issues, if you're wondering how to make the transition easier, or how to support your teams with respect and efficiency, then it's time to talk. The first step? Get in touch, ask your questions and find out how tailor-made support can make all the difference for you, for your employees and for turning every transition into an opportunity.

If you'd like to find out more or see if outplacement or coaching might be right for you, please contact me for an initial discussion: Philip Chowney

For additional information, you can also reach out to : Fabienne Revillard

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[1] According to von Rundstedt's outplacement Statistics 2023, Swiss companies have stepped up their transformation and downsizing plans(rundstedt.ch).