The Best Outplacement Services for SMBs in 2025
Small Business Outplacement Services Reviewed
Layoffs suck. No way around it. If you’re running a small or medium-sized business (SMB) and facing layoffs, there’s no denying how heavy that feels. The worry about your team, your reputation, and your budget can keep you up at night. You are likely reading this because you want to provide your employees the best ouplacement services available.
Outplacement services can help soften the blow. They support your departing employees with career coaching, job search tools, and sometimes, emotional guidance, all while protecting your company’s image. But not all services fit SMBs. Many are built for big corporations with deep pockets and generic approaches.
I’ve dug deeper into 9 of the most popular outplacement services for SMBs in 2025, including Korn Ferry and my own A Life After Layoff. I searched far and wide to find the best options, focusing on cost, scale, and how well they serve businesses with 1,000 or fewer layoffs per year.
One thing is obvious.
There are lots of pros and cons to outplacement services currently on the market. And it’s no easy task to find the best outplacement service for your small business in 2025.
Why Outplacement Is a Game-Changer for SMBs
First, let’s talk about why outplacement matters. Layoffs can hurt your team’s morale and your company’s reputation fast.
Outplacement services soften the blow by helping your employees find new jobs and rebuild confidence. For SMBs, this is huge because your culture is often close-knit. A messy exit can spread negativity in your community.
The catch? Many outplacement providers focus on large corporations, offering generic coaching that doesn’t fit smaller teams. Plus, their costs can be a budget-killer. And the market is consolidating, with massive outplacement firms absorbing and merging with smaller players. So, finding a good solution is getting harder for small and medium-sized businesses.
Not to worry.
I’ve researched options that work for SMBs, balancing affordability with quality support. Let’s dive into the best outplacement services.
The 9 Best Outplacement Services for SMBs in 2025
1. Careerminds
Careerminds has been around since 2008, serving clients globally with a tech-driven approach. They’re known for blending virtual tools with human support.
- Pros: Careerminds offers one-on-one coaching with no time limits—support lasts until employees land a job. They also provide emotional well-being resources, which is a big plus for transitioning workers. Their platform includes resume tools and job search trackers.
- Cons: They’re better suited for larger companies with bigger budgets. Their coaching can feel generic, often lacking industry-specific advice. Costs typically range from $1,000 to $5,000 per employee, which can strain SMB finances.
- Best For: Medium-sized businesses with some budget flexibility.
2. RiseSmart
RiseSmart, part of Randstad, has been a global player since 2007. It uses AI to match employees with jobs and offers support in 80+ countries.
- Pros: Their platform is modern, with virtual workshops, progress tracking, and AI-driven job matching. They’re great for global teams, offering support in multiple languages.
- Cons: RiseSmart is designed for large-scale layoffs, often serving Fortune 500 companies. Their coaching can feel impersonal, and pricing isn’t transparent—expect $2,000 to $7,000 per employee, which might be too steep for SMBs.
- Best For: Larger SMBs with international employees.
3. Lee Hecht Harrison (LHH)
LHH, founded in 1974, works with over 15,000 organizations in 66 countries. It’s a giant in the outplacement world, known for its extensive network.
- Pros: LHH connects employees to job leads through their network of 7,000+ companies. They offer personalized coaching, free upskilling courses, and professional branding materials like SEO-optimized resumes.
- Cons: They’re built for big corporations, so their approach can feel formulaic for SMBs. Costs are high, often $3,000 to $10,000 per employee, which can be tough for smaller budgets.
- Best For: Medium-sized businesses with a bigger budget.
4. CMP (Career Management Partners)
CMP is a minority and woman-owned business that’s been providing outplacement since 1991. They focus on personalized career guidance and global delivery.
- Pros: CMP offers one-on-one coaching, which feels more tailored than some competitors. They also provide tech to help employees see how their resumes perform in ATS systems, plus virtual coaching options.
- Cons: They’re better for larger firms with complex needs. Their coaches often lack deep recruiting experience, which can limit their advice. Pricing likely starts at $1,500 per employee, though it’s not public.
- Best For: SMBs wanting more personalized support.
5. VelvetJobs
VelvetJobs, started in 2014, is a Forbes-recognized firm trusted by brands like Verizon and Coca-Cola. They focus on modern career transition tools.
- Pros: They provide job-matching features, resume writing, and a dashboard to track progress. Their platform is user-friendly, with LinkedIn profile optimization included.
- Cons: They’re designed for larger organizations, and their coaching can feel generic. Pricing varies widely—from $249 to $15,000 per employee—making it a risky choice for SMBs on a budget.
- Best For: SMBs with a mix of employee levels.
6. INTOO
INTOO, formerly CareerArc, has been around for over 20 years. They’re part of Gi Group and focus on a data-driven approach to outplacement.
- Pros: INTOO offers personalized coaching, career assessments, and a platform with resume review tools. Their coaches are highly qualified—90% have PhDs or Master’s degrees. They also provide HR insights on employee progress.
- Cons: They’re better for large-scale layoffs, and their coaching can lack the hands-on feel SMBs need. The coaches, while highly credentialed, may not have as much direct hiring experience. Costs likely start at $2,000 per employee, though you’d need to contact their sales team for a quote.
- Best For: Medium-sized businesses with a global workforce.
8. Turbo Transitions
Turbo Transitions is a newer outplacement provider, launched in 2020, but it’s gained traction for its comprehensive approach.
- Pros: They offer over 100 training resources, templates, and guides, covering everything from job search to emotional support. Their coaches have experience with both Fortune 500 and smaller businesses, making them more versatile.
- Cons: They’re still building their reputation, so they’re less proven than bigger names. Pricing likely ranges from $2,000 to $3,000 per employee, but it’s not publicly available.
- Best For: SMBs looking for a modern, resource-heavy option.
9. Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry, founded in 1969, is a global organizational consulting firm with over 11,000 employees in 50+ countries. It is known for its extensive network and career transition services.
- Pros: Korn Ferry connects employees to job leads through its network of 10,000+ companies. It offers personalized coaching, access to 3,000+ upskilling courses, and redeployment options within your organization. It claims that 92% of laid-off employees find equal or better roles.
- Cons: They’re built for large-scale layoffs, often serving global enterprises. Their coaching can feel detached for smaller teams, and costs are high—typically $5,000 to $20,000 per employee, which is out of reach for most SMBs.
- Best For: Larger SMBs with a global presence and bigger budgets.
10. A Life After Layoff
I’d be remiss not to include my own service, A Life After Layoff Outplacement. As a layoff survivor myself, I’ve dedicated my career to helping people (just like me) navigate career transitions, and I’m proud to offer outplacement designed for SMBs.
- Pros: Well-known and recognizable career coach with real-world recruiting experience, so our coaching is practical and tailored. Gives your business instant credibility with transitioning employees. Our pricing is affordable, starting at as little as $999 per employee, and can accommodate smaller layoffs or terminations. We can also offer on-demand support instantly or dedicated one-on-one career coaching. This makes us a great fit for SMB budgets compared to big-box solutions.
- Cons: We aren’t a great fit for large-scale layoffs. Our smaller, intimate setup means we are best for small or medium-sized businesses with 1,000 or fewer layoffs. If you’re a massive corporation, you might need a larger provider.
- Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses needing personalized, budget-friendly support.
How to Pick the Best Outplacement Service for Your SMB
So, how do you choose the best outplacement services for your business? First, look at your budget. Big players like Korn Ferry and LHH can cost thousands per employee, which might not work for you. Next, think about your team’s needs. Do they need global support, or is local, hands-on coaching more important?
Also, consider the provider’s scale. Many of these services—like RiseSmart and Korn Ferry—are built for large corporations, which can mean generic coaching that doesn’t fit your team. Finally, check their reputation.
You want a provider with real-world experience and empathy, not just a shiny platform.
Why SMBs Deserve Better Outplacement
Here’s the reality. SMBs aren’t just smaller versions of big companies. Your culture is unique, and your employees often wear multiple hats. Often, the working relationship is more intimate, and layoffs can hit much harder.
A layoff can hit harder in a smaller team, so you need outplacement that feels personal. Many big providers, like LHH, Korn Ferry, and RiseSmart, prioritize scale over true connection.
That’s why I created A Life After Layoff Outplacement to offer affordable, hands-on support for SMBs, and one that employees will directly connect with.
Wrapping Up: Support Your Team the Right Way
Layoffs are never easy, but the right outplacement service can make a huge difference. The best outplacement services for SMBs in 2025 balance tech and personal support without breaking the bank. Steer clear of big-box solutions if their costs and generic coaching don’t fit your (or, more importantly, your employees’) needs.
Ready to take action?
Let us know how we can help your employees land softly.
