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IMPACT Group has been in business for more than 35 years, is well regarded by mid-sized and large employers, and is often compared with major providers like LHH and Right Management.
There are not many independent reviews from people who have used the service, especially compared with the employer testimonials on IMPACT Group’s website. Its coaching approach is strong, but it is designed for a specific type of organization and employee, so it may not be the best fit for everyone.
This review answers those questions. We looked at how IMPACT Group’s programs work, what clients say about the service, how its pricing works, and where it delivers the most value. This will help you decide if it is a good fit for your workforce transition needs.
About IMPACT Group
IMPACT Group is a career coaching company that provides outplacement services, relocation coaching, and leadership development in over 100 countries. Each year, it supports thousands of people moving into new jobs, part-time work, consulting, business ownership, volunteer roles, or retirement.
IMPACT Group helps people and businesses manage career changes. Its services include relocation support, employee development, and outplacement. The company works with employers to help employees feel more engaged, loyal, and productive.
It offers programs for individual career changes as well as large workforce reductions. Its main services are outplacement, relocation coaching, and leadership development, giving it a wider range of services than providers that only offer outplacement.
IMPACT Group Key Features
Human-Centered Coaching as the Core Model
They use a people-first approach to outplacement. It combines one-on-one career coaching with technology through its myIMPACT platform. Instead of relying on group workshops or self-service tools, each participant is matched with a dedicated career coach who provides personal support throughout the program.
Internal Quality Control System
The company tracks coach performance for each employee they support, helping it see whether coaches are meeting its standards. This process helps IMPACT Group improve coaching quality and keep strong coaches on its team. Since coaching quality can vary widely between outplacement providers, this added level of accountability is a real advantage.
myIMPACT Platform
The myIMPACT online platform provides content based on each person’s career needs. Each participant also works with a coach who creates a personalized action plan and builds a one-on-one relationship with them. IMPACT Group describes myIMPACT as a highly customized platform with a wide range of career transition resources.
Executive Outplacement Program
Their executive outplacement program gives leaders one-on-one support from a dedicated executive career coach. It also helps executives explore options beyond a traditional job, such as buying a business, joining a startup, serving on a board, consulting, or doing philanthropic work.
IMPACT Group Customer Reviews and Online Positioning
IMPACT Group's reputation is strongest on employer-facing review platforms and through direct client testimonials from HR leaders at named organizations. One client on G2 expressed his reviews on yelp:
“Impact Group helped me find a great job after I moved to a new state mid-pandemic; I liked my career coach and the team of resume writers. They were all so helpful and encouraging throughout the complicated job-seeking process. ”
Overall, IMPACT Group appears to provide strong coaching, but it could improve its reporting and offer a wider range of virtual training options.
How Much Does IMPACT Group Cost?
IMPACT Group does not list its prices publicly. Each program is priced based on the company’s size, the number of employees affected, their career levels, and the services included.
IMPACT Group Process
Here is how the IMPACT Group outplacement program works, from employer setup to participant completion:
Step 1 — Employer Planning and Onboarding
IMPACT Group starts by meeting with the employer to plan the outplacement process. Its team helps create a clear plan for both the company and affected employees, along with a checklist for the four stages of downsizing.
This planning helps HR teams manage the layoff announcement and make sure employees can access support soon after they are notified.
Step 2 — Employee Enrollment and Coach Matching
Employees are enrolled in the program and matched with a dedicated career coach. A match is based on the employee’s career level, industry, and goals, rather than being assigned at random. IMPACT Group also reviews coach performance to help maintain consistent coaching quality for all participants.
Step 3 — Needs Assessment and Personalized Action Plan
Each participant starts with an assessment to understand their career goals, challenges, and job search priorities. The coach then creates a personalized action plan based on those needs, instead of using the same plan for everyone.
Step 4 — Active Coaching and myIMPACT Platform Access
Participants meet regularly with their coach for help with resumes, personal branding, LinkedIn profiles, job search strategies, interviews, and networking. The myIMPACT platform keeps useful job search resources in one place, including branding tools, LinkedIn guidance, and job search materials.
Step 6 — Placement and Employer Reporting
As participants move through the program and find new roles, IMPACT Group tracks the results and shares them with the employer. Employers can also view progress and participation data through their reporting tools.
IMPACT Group Team
The CEO and the owner of IMPACT Group is Lauren Herring. IMPACT Group has coaches in more than 100 countries and provides services in 25 languages. Its coaches are experienced professionals, and the company tracks each coach’s performance to help maintain quality. This level of accountability is not common among outplacement providers.
Best IMPACT Group Alternative: WeAreCareer
WeAreCareer takes a different approach to outplacement. Instead of focusing only on coaching and online tools, it also provides active job search support.
Most outplacement providers, including IMPACT Group, offer coaching and resources but expect employees to manage their own job search. WeAreCareer takes a more hands-on approach by applying for jobs on the employee’s behalf and supporting them until they find a role. For corporate professionals who want active, results-focused support, WeAreCareer is a strong option.
Read WeAreCareer B2B Outplacement Case Studies here.
Here is what WeAreCareer offers as an alternative:
1:1 Career Coaching
Each participant works with a dedicated coach throughout the entire transition, not just during the first session or occasional check-ins. The coach provides personalized support with career planning, job search positioning, and interview preparation based on the employee’s level and goals.
Resume and LinkedIn Optimization
Every employee gets a complete professional profile update, not just a quick review or small edits. Their resume is rewritten from scratch and tailored for ATS systems and the roles they want to apply for.
Active Job Search
WeAreCareer applies for relevant jobs on the employee’s behalf and tracks responses as they come in. The team then adjusts the job search strategy based on which roles are getting interest. This takes away one of the most time-consuming and frustrating parts of looking for a job.
Recruiter and Hiring Manager Outreach
The team contacts recruiters and hiring managers at target companies to help employees connect with decision-makers faster. This can also create opportunities for roles that are not publicly advertised.
Interview Preparation
Interview coaching helps employees prepare for every stage of the hiring process, from the first phone call to final interviews. It also includes guidance on salary discussions and job offer negotiations.
Transparent Pricing
WeAreCareer charges per employee, with public pricing starting at $2,500 for junior-level employees. There are no minimum contracts or hidden fees. Companies can see the pricing before speaking with a sales representative, which is uncommon in this market.
Outcome Focus Until Landing
WeAreCareer supports employees until they land, not until the program duration expires. The service is built around placement, not program completion.
WeAreCareer has helped more than 3,000 professionals find new jobs, usually within three to six months. Unlike traditional outplacement providers that mainly offer online tools, WeAreCareer provides support.
Bottom Line: Is IMPACT Group Worth It?
IMPACT Group is an outplacement provider for mid-sized and large employers that want to handle workforce changes with care. Its people-first coaching, coach quality checks, and pay-per-participant pricing are meaningful strengths.
The myIMPACT platform is highly customized, and its global network makes it a good option for organizations with employees in different countries and languages.
Providing outplacement support during layoffs can help former employees move forward positively. It can also reduce unemployment costs and legal risk while improving morale among the employees who stay.
IMPACT Group may be less suitable for organizations that want public pricing, more independent participant reviews, or hands-on job search support. HR teams that need detailed ROI reporting should also consider its reporting limitations.
If you want an outplacement provider that actively handles the job search, including applications, outreach, and placement support, consider options like WeAreCareer before making a final decision.
