An outplacement process always starts with a first, important step: the intake interview. For many people, this is an exciting moment, especially if you have just been told that your current job is ending. Yet this interview is precisely the starting point of something positive: discovering your next job opportunity. In this article, we explain what you can expect from an outplacement intake interview and how you can properly prepare for it.
What is an outplacement intake interview?
An outplacement intake interview is the first official conversation within an outplacement process, where a career coach gets to know you and identify your situation. The aim is to understand who you are, what you have been through and where you want to go. This conversation forms the basis for the rest of the process.
The intake interview is neither a job interview nor an assessment. It is an open, two-way conversation in which you are central. The coach listens to your story, asks in-depth questions and helps you clarify your situation. Think about questions about your work history, your ambitions and what you find important in a new working environment.
Why is the outplacement intake interview so important?
The outplacement intake interview is so important because it lays the foundation for the entire process. Without a clear picture of your background, needs and goals, a coach cannot offer appropriate guidance. A careful intake ensures that the process is fully tailored to you, rather than you going through a standard programme.
Moreover, this conversation also has a personal impact. For many people, it is the first time they can fully tell their story to someone who listens to it professionally. This gives space and helps you to get more clarity yourself about what you want and what you need. The intake interview is thus not only informative, but also a first step in regaining confidence in yourself and your future.
What topics are covered during the intake?
During an outplacement intake interview, several topics are covered that together give a complete picture of your career and personal situation. The coach wants to get to know you on several levels: professional, personal and practical.
Typical topics discussed include:
- Your work history and the positions you have held
- The circumstances surrounding leaving your current employer
- Your strengths, talents and skills
- What gives you energy and what actually exhausts you in your work
- Your wishes and ambitions for a new position or direction
- Practical matters such as availability, willingness to travel and financial situation
- Any concerns or obstacles you experience
The intake is also the time to ask questions about what the process looks like, what you can expect from the coach and what the collaboration looks like. It is a conversation, not an interrogation.
How do you prepare for an outplacement intake interview?
You prepare for an outplacement intake interview by thinking beforehand about your career, your wishes and what you find important. You don't have to have ready-made answers, but a little self-reflection helps the interview go smoothly and get the most out of it.
A few practical tips to prepare:
- Write down your work history: List the functions you have had, including what you have done and learned.
- Think about what energises you: Which tasks or projects did you really enjoy? What did you enjoy doing?
- Formulate an initial direction: You don't have to know exactly yet, but think in advance in which direction you would like to go.
- Write down your questions: Write down what you want to know about the course, approach or guidance.
- Be open and honest: The more open you are, the better the coach can help you.
Remember, there are no right or wrong answers. The coach is there to support you, not judge you.
What happens after the outplacement intake interview?
After the outplacement intake interview, the coach draws up a personal plan with you for the further process. Based on what was discussed in the intake, the goals, approach and pace of the process are determined. You and your coach decide together which direction to take.
In practice, this may mean starting with self-insight exercises or assessments to further identify your talents and preferences. This is followed by targeted sessions around themes such as job application skills, personal leadership or networking. The pace is always by mutual agreement: sometimes someone wants to get started quickly, sometimes they need more space for reflection first. Both are completely fine.
Who conducts the outplacement intake interview?
The outplacement intake interview is conducted by an experienced career coach who specialises in assisting with career transitions. This is someone with knowledge of the labour market, coaching skills and experience working with people in a variety of situations and stages of their careers.
A good intake coach creates a safe environment in which you can tell your story without judgement. The coach asks open questions, listens actively and helps you develop your own insights. In many cases, the coach who does the intake is also the one who guides you throughout the rest of the process, so that a bond of trust is created and continuity is guaranteed.
How Nieuwkans guides you through outplacement
At Nieuwkans, we believe that a good outplacement process starts with genuine attention to you as a person. Our intake interview is therefore not a formality, but a real starting point for personal and professional growth. What we offer:
- A personal intake interview with an experienced career coach in Utrecht
- A fully customised programme tailored to your situation, pace and ambitions
- Science-based methods, including the BrainsFirst methodology, to reveal your talents and cognitive preferences
- Guidance at all stages: from self-insight and reflection to job training and networking
- Attention to sustainable employability, so that you continue to function with pleasure and self-confidence in the long term
Are you curious about how a outplacement programme for employees at Nieuwkans looks like, or would you just like to meet without any obligation? Contact us and find out what we can do for you.