Severance and Outplacement

As the recession trudges very slowly along, many of my discussions have been with people who have been downsized yet are surviving and searching in a rather calm manner. These individuals received rather generous severance packages, but more importantly, outplacement assistance. A recently downsized VP of an investment bank was assigned a desk, phone, computer, etc. in a specially designated outplacement center to report to daily for about 2 months which is permitting her to conduct her own search while still collecting her paycheck. She will officially be off the books and living on her package in late July. Until then, she is being paid to job hunt. please be proactive and check out what will be available to you should you at some point be downsized. It does help to have a strong understanding at what lies ahead before it takes place. If want some ideas of questions to ask, please contact me.