Slate Advisers Outplacement Reviews: Is It Worth It?

Slate Advisers offers a different approach from many outplacement firms with its modern, tech-focused model, compared to legacy providers like LHH or Right Management. Founded in 2012 in the Bay Area, it works with companies ranging from startups to large Fortune 1000 organizations. 

While that makes it an attractive alternative to older providers, there are a few things to keep in mind. Pricing is only partially available publicly, with just a starting price listed. 

The review looks at how Slate Advisers' programs work, what clients say about the service, how its pricing is structured, and where it provides the most value. 

About Slate Advisers

Slate Advisers is an outplacement company that helps employees find new jobs after leaving a company. It works with businesses during layoffs, reorganizations, acquisitions, and other workforce changes, helping make employee transitions smoother while protecting the company's reputation and team morale. 

Slate Advisers has two main services. Slate Career provides outplacement and career transition support, while Slate Growth focuses on leadership coaching. This allows the company to support businesses not only during layoffs but also with employee development, making it a broader talent partner rather than just an outplacement provider.

Slate Advisers Key Features

Team-Based Adviser Matching Model

Since every employee has different career goals, Slate matches each person with a team of specialists based on their background and needs. This team includes resume writers, career coaches, and interview experts who work together to help participants find a new job faster. 

Median 8-Week Placement Time

According to Slate, participants enroll in its programs at about twice the rate of traditional outplacement providers, and the median time to start a new job is 8 weeks. 

Direct Relationships with Internal Recruiters

Slate Advisers also helps participants connect with recruiters at top companies through its network. Instead of relying only on job boards, it helps employees get in front of hiring teams directly, which can lead to interviews and job offers more quickly.

Skill Development Across Industries

Participants also have access to courses in areas like iOS development, content marketing, and UX design. These learning opportunities can help employees build new skills, especially if they are changing careers or moving into a different role.

Employer Dashboard 

Slate also gives employers access to an online dashboard where they can track enrollment, employee participation, and satisfaction. This makes it easier for HR teams to see how the program is performing instead of waiting for updates or reports from the provider.

On-Deck Availability

Employers can offer Slate Career services whenever an employee needs support, with no upfront fees. This flexible, pay-as-needed model works well for companies that have ongoing employee departures, not just planned layoffs.

Slate Advisers Customer Reviews and Online Positioning

Slate Advisers has received positive feedback from clients on its own website and is listed on several HR vendor directories. However, there are only a small number of independent reviews on public review platforms, which is fairly common for a smaller outplacement provider. 

Someone commented on their experience - I went on a few more interviews and got an offer from Amazon that was way beyond my expectations (30% increase in base, plus signing bonus and stock). My adviser’s interview coaching made a difference, especially preparing for the behavioral questions and having stories ready for different scenarios.

This makes Slate Advisers appear to have a solid reputation with the companies it works with. Much of its reputation comes from client referrals and relationships with HR teams rather than a large number of independent online reviews.

How Much Does Slate Advisers Cost?

Slate Advisers offers different outplacement packages based on the employee's seniority.

Plans for Senior Director Level and Below

Plans for Vice Presidents and Above

Slate Advisers Process

Here's what the Slate Advisers outplacement process looks like, from setup to program completion.

Step 1 — Employer Setup and On-Deck Arrangement

Employers can offer a Slate Career package whenever an employee needs support, with no upfront fees. Slate is ready to step in when needed, and the employer works with the company to decide which employees are covered, what services will be included, and how the program will be introduced during the layoff or transition process.

Step 2 — Employee Enrollment

Employees who are leaving the company receive access to the Slate Career program and can choose whether to enroll. Employers only pay for employees who sign up and use the service.

Step 3 — Adviser Matching

Each participant is matched with a team of experts based on their experience, industry, and career goals. This team provides personalized support to help them find the right job more quickly.

Step 4 — Active Coaching and Job Search Support

Participants meet regularly with their team of advisers for help with resumes, LinkedIn profiles, interview preparation, job search planning, networking, and personal branding. They can also be introduced to recruiters through Slate's network, giving them access to
job opportunities beyond those found on job boards.

Step 5 — Placement and Post-Offer Onboarding Support

After a participant starts a new job, Slate continues to provide support during the onboarding period to help them settle into their new role. Employers can also track enrollment, participation, and satisfaction throughout the program using Slate's online dashboard.

Slate Advisers Team

Slate Advisers was founded in 2012 and is based in Menlo Park, California. The company has around 38 employees across North America, including career and executive advisers, customer success staff, and account executives who work with employer clients.

In addition to outplacement services, Slate's Growth division provides leadership coaching based on behavioral science. This allows the company to help businesses support both employees leaving the organization and leaders staying with it, making it a useful partner during periods of change or restructuring.

Best Slate Advisers Alternative: WeAreCareer

WeAreCareer takes a different approach to outplacement. Instead of mainly offering coaching and online tools, it actively handles the job search by applying for jobs, reaching out to recruiters, and supporting employees until they secure a new role.

Most outplacement providers, including Slate Advisers, primarily offer coaching and job-search resources, while employees handle their own job searches. WeAreCareer takes a more hands-on approach by applying for jobs, reaching out to recruiters, and supporting employees until they find a new role. 

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 for 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. The resume is rewritten from scratch and tailored for ATS systems and the roles being targeted.

Active Job Search: WeAreCareer applies for relevant jobs on the employee's behalf and tracks the responses. The team also updates the job search strategy based on what is getting results, saving employees time and reducing the stress of applying for jobs themselves.

Recruiter and Hiring Manager Outreach: The team contacts recruiters and hiring managers at target companies to help employees connect with decision-makers faster. This also creates access to roles that are not publicly advertised.

Interview Preparation: Interview coaching prepares employees for every stage of the hiring process, from the first phone call through final-round interviews, including guidance on salary discussions and 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.

Bottom Line: Is Slate Advisers Worth It?

Slate Advisers is a good fit for startups, growing companies, and tech businesses looking for a more modern outplacement provider. Its team-based support, recruiter network, skill-building resources, employer dashboard, and no-upfront-fee pricing make it a strong option compared to many traditional outplacement services.

Slate Advisers may be a less suitable choice for large organizations managing high-volume layoffs, companies that prefer providers with more independent customer reviews, or HR teams looking for a service that actively handles the job search instead of mainly offering coaching. Its limited public pricing can also make it harder for employers to compare costs before contacting the company.

If you want an outplacement provider that actively manages the job search, including applying for jobs, contacting recruiters, and helping employees find a new role, consider WeAreCareer before making your final decision.