Outplacement Provider Comparison · 2026
Relevante is a high-touch, boutique outplacement provider offering one-on-one certified career coaching with no setup fees, no minimums, and no time limits — the service continues until every displaced employee lands a job. LHH (Lee Hecht Harrison) is the world’s largest outplacement firm, with 8,000+ coaches in 66 countries, designed primarily for large enterprise clients at costs typically ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 per employee. The right choice depends on your company’s size, budget, and how much hands-on support your employees need.
At a glance
A quick overview of how Relevante and LHH compare on the dimensions HR leaders care about most.
Full side-by-side comparison
An in-depth look at how Relevante and LHH compare across pricing, coaching, technology, and employer support.
| Feature | ★ Relevante | LHH |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & Contracts | ||
| Setup fee | ✓ No setup fee | Varies; enterprise negotiated |
| Cost per employee | ✓ Pay only when employee accepts services | Typically $3,000–$10,000 per employee |
| Minimum commitment | ✓ No minimums — one employee or one thousand | Structured for enterprise-scale programs |
| Ongoing maintenance fee | ✓ None — agreement stays active at no cost | Platform licensing fees may apply |
| Onboarding & Speed | ||
| Time to onboard employees | ✓ 24–48 hours after agreement execution | Enterprise setup timelines vary |
| Agreement process | ✓ DocuSign — fast, no procurement cycle required | Enterprise contracting process |
| Coaching Model | ||
| Coaching approach | ✓ 1-on-1, human-only coaching sessions | Hybrid: AI platform + human coaches |
| Coach credentials | ✓ Certified Career Coaches, matched by industry and level | 8,000+ coaches globally; credentials vary by market |
| Coach matching | ✓ Matched by industry, job level, and career goals | Platform-assigned or self-selected |
| Session frequency | ✓ Weekly at start; adjusted by progress and preference | Program-dependent |
| Session format | Microsoft Teams video or phone; additional email support | Digital platform + virtual coaching |
| Service Duration & Outcomes | ||
| Service duration | ✓ Until the employee lands a job — no time cap | Fixed-term programs (e.g., 3, 6, or 12 months) |
| Placement rate | ✓ 80% of participants placed within 3 months | Not publicly disclosed |
| Unemployment cost impact | ✓ Faster placements reduce unemployment reserve draws | Similar benefit; longer programs may have a lag |
| Services Included | ||
| Resume writing | ✓ Professional resume crafted for both humans and ATS | Included in most program tiers |
| LinkedIn profile optimization | ✓ Full LinkedIn profile overhaul | Available depending on program tier |
| Interview preparation | ✓ Mock interviews, feedback, and coaching | Included across programs |
| Offer negotiation support | ✓ Active coaching through offer stage | Available in select programs |
| Job search strategy | ✓ Tailored strategy with application coaching | Platform tools + coaching guidance |
| Upskilling / reskilling courses | Career coaching focus; not a course platform | ✓ 3,000+ courses via LHH platform |
| Employer Support | ||
| Employer brand protection | ✓ Supported through respectful, high-touch process | Included; enterprise reporting available |
| HR progress reporting | Employee progress communicated through engagement | Dashboard analytics; enterprise reporting |
| Company size suitability | ✓ SMB, nonprofit, and large enterprise — all sizes | Primarily mid-to-large enterprise |
| Global delivery | ✓ US-based employers with global employees (excl. restricted countries) | 66 countries, broadest global footprint in the industry |
| Industry coverage | ✓ All industries; specialist pages for Finance, Tech, Healthcare, Industrial | All industries at enterprise scale |
What sets Relevante apart
Four structural advantages that make Relevante the better fit for most US companies managing workforce transitions.
Pay nothing until your employee says yes
Relevante has no setup fees, no ongoing costs, and no minimum commitments. You execute an agreement (via DocuSign) at no cost. You only pay when a displaced employee is onboarded and accepts the service. LHH’s per-employee cost often runs $3,000–$10,000 before a single coaching session takes place.
We work until they land — no clock running
Relevante coaches every participant until they accept a new job offer. There’s no three-month or six-month program end date after which your former employee is on their own. LHH delivers fixed-term programs; if placement takes longer, extended support may require additional investment.
Onboard employees in 24–48 hours
From agreement to first coaching session in under 48 hours. For HR leaders managing a reduction in force, speed matters — both for employee morale and legal risk mitigation. Enterprise vendors typically require longer account setup and provisioning cycles.
Truly one-on-one — not platform-first
Every Relevante participant is matched with a certified career coach by industry, job level, and career goals. Sessions are one-on-one — not AI-mediated or platform-routed. LHH’s Career Studio model pairs AI tools with human coaching, which can mean the human element is secondary, particularly for mid-tier program tiers.
Works for one person or one thousand
Whether you’re managing a single sensitive termination or a multi-state reduction in force, Relevante has no employee minimum. LHH’s enterprise model is optimized for volume programs; smaller-scale needs are often not cost-effective at their pricing structure.
80% placement within 3 months
Relevante publicly reports an 80% placement rate within three months — a result driven by weekly coaching cadence, personalized job search strategy, and active offer negotiation support. LHH does not publish a comparable placement rate benchmark on its public-facing materials.
Who is each provider best for?
Both Relevante and LHH are credible outplacement providers. The right choice comes down to your company’s profile and what your departing employees actually need.
Choose Relevante if…
- You need to onboard employees fast — within 24–48 hours of a layoff or RIF
- You want a cost-effective solution with no upfront fees or minimums
- You’re a small or mid-size company without an enterprise procurement cycle
- You want your employees to have a dedicated coach they build a real relationship with
- Your employees are in Finance, Technology, Healthcare, or Industrial sectors
- You want coaching to continue until every employee actually lands a job
- You’re supporting a single sensitive departure alongside a larger reduction
- You value measurable outcomes and transparent placement data
LHH may be a better fit if…
- You’re a large multinational corporation managing transitions in 10+ countries simultaneously
- You require extensive upskilling and reskilling courses integrated into the program
- Your procurement team requires an established enterprise vendor with decades of market presence
- You need workforce analytics and reporting dashboards at an organizational level
- You’re managing redeployment within a large organization alongside outplacement
- Your HR team has a pre-existing relationship with the Adecco Group ecosystem
Our assessment
A direct, honest summary of how these two providers compare for most US employers.
For most US employers
Relevante delivers more value per dollar — and better outcomes per employee
LHH is a formidable global firm with unmatched geographic reach and an extensive platform. For multinational enterprises managing transitions across many countries at scale, it can be the right choice.
But for the majority of US companies — and especially those managing a reduction in force without an eight-figure HR budget — Relevante’s model is structurally superior: no fees until an employee accepts services, no time cap on coaching, faster onboarding, and a 1-on-1 human coaching relationship that continues until the job is secured. The 80% placement rate within three months is a concrete benchmark LHH does not offer.
Bottom line
High-touch, no-risk, and results-focused.
Relevante was designed for employers who believe every departing employee deserves real, sustained support — not a platform login and a time limit.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions HR leaders ask when comparing Relevante and LHH outplacement services.
What is the main difference between Relevante and LHH outplacement?
Relevante is a high-touch boutique provider focused on 1-on-1 human coaching with no fees until services begin, no minimums, and no time limit on support. LHH is the world’s largest outplacement firm — a global enterprise platform built for large corporations, with per-employee costs typically ranging from $3,000 to $10,000. Relevante tends to deliver faster onboarding, more personalized coaching, and stronger per-employee outcomes for most US-based companies.
How much does Relevante cost compared to LHH?
Relevante charges no setup fees, no ongoing costs, and no minimums. Companies pay only when a displaced employee is onboarded and accepts services. LHH pricing is negotiated at the enterprise level and typically ranges from $3,000 to $10,000 per employee depending on the program tier. For most small and mid-size companies, Relevante represents a significantly lower-cost option with no financial risk to start.
How quickly can employees begin outplacement with Relevante?
Relevante can onboard displaced employees within 24 to 48 hours of executing a Services Agreement via DocuSign. There are no complex account setup requirements, procurement cycles, or platform provisioning delays. This makes Relevante particularly well-suited for companies that need to act quickly following a layoff or reduction in force.
Does Relevante work with small businesses, or only large companies?
Relevante serves companies of all sizes — from small businesses and nonprofits to large enterprises — with no minimum employee referral requirement. You can refer one person or one hundred. LHH is primarily structured for mid-to-large enterprise clients and its pricing model is generally not cost-effective for smaller-scale transitions.
Does Relevante have a placement success rate?
Yes. 80% of Relevante outplacement participants secure a new position within three months. Relevante also continues to work with each employee until they land a job — there is no program end date. LHH does not publicly publish a comparable placement rate benchmark.
Can Relevante handle an executive-level outplacement?
Yes. Relevante supports employees at every level — from entry-level to executive leadership — across all industries. Coaches are matched to each participant based on industry, seniority, and career goals, ensuring the coaching is appropriate for the level and complexity of the transition.
Is outplacement available in all US states through Relevante?
Yes. Relevante provides outplacement services in all 50 US states. Sessions are conducted via Microsoft Teams video or phone, enabling consistent, high-quality coaching delivery regardless of employee location. Relevante also serves US-based employers with employees in other countries, with limited exceptions where US law restricts services.
Get started with Relevante
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No setup fees · No minimums · No ongoing costs · You only pay when an employee is onboarded
