Meet the Coach: Interview with Senior Career Consultant Karen Dillenburg

With over 15 years of experience as a Senior Career Consultant at Careerminds, Karen Dillenburg is a results-driven human resources leader specializing in career transition and executive coaching. Her extensive background spans people management, project management, and procurement, with expertise in outplacement, employee relations, performance management, compensation, change management, training and development, and recruitment.

Karen holds an MBA with an emphasis in Human Resources Management from Roosevelt University and a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a specialization in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Illinois. Her holistic approach to career coaching integrates both strategic HR expertise and a deep understanding of human behavior, making her a trusted guide for professionals navigating career transitions.

In this interview, Karen shares her experiences, insights, and advice on career coaching, Careerminds’ services, and the evolving landscape of the outplacement industry.

Prior to joining Careerminds, I worked at a global financial services and property casualty insurance organization, where I held multiple roles of increasing responsibility. I gained extensive experience in human resources, people management, project management, and procurement.

I was the Regional Human Resources Manager for the corporate headquarters, which supported several thousand employees. I managed a staff of HR professionals who provided employee relations expertise to their business partners. I became well-versed in recruitment, employee relations, performance management, compensation, coaching, change management, project management, and employee/leadership development.

In addition, I was a Director of Procurement related to HR and consulting services. I managed the supplier evaluation and selection process, as well as contract negotiation, management, and administration. This experience served me well in providing a business perspective to human resources-related functions.

My background influences my work today because I gained the knowledge, skills, experience, and perspective needed to provide top-notch, comprehensive coaching to participants in a wide range of careers within a wide variety of industries. I understand how the recruitment and hiring process works within companies, and can impart that knowledge to my participants so that they can successfully transition to new roles. 

My leadership and coaching experience allows me to develop strong relationships with my participants so that they can trust my guidance and know that I fully support them in their job search.  Having a business and HR background provides me with a sound frame of reference when assisting participants throughout their career transition.

I have a dual role at Careerminds. As a career coach, I work one-on-one with individuals affected by job eliminations or layoffs, guiding them through every stage of the job search based on their specific needs—whether it’s refining résumés, optimizing LinkedIn profiles, networking, preparing for interviews, or negotiating salaries. 

Additionally, as a senior coach with nearly 15 years of experience, I mentor new coaches to help them onboard, understand the “Careerminds way,” and navigate our processes, technology, and best practices. I provide ongoing support through training, meetings, and direct communication to ensure that they are set up for success.

It’s a blend of personalized coaching and technology-driven outplacement resources. Careerminds offers participants one-on-one coaching, as well as an online career management system with tools and resources to support their job search. Coaches must balance these two aspects, ensuring that participants leverage both the human and digital support available to them.

If you’re interested in learning more about our industry-leading outplacement services and how we stack up against other providers—including our comprehensive list of program services, competitive participant-to-coach ratio, lowest fees, superior responsiveness, professionalism, and results—click below to download our free outplacement comparison sheet.

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The process begins with an orientation call, where we establish rapport and assess where participants are in their job search. Some people reach out immediately after losing their job, while others wait until they realize that they need help. We discuss their goals, address immediate concerns (such as résumé and LinkedIn updates), and map out their job search strategy. From there, we provide tailored support, including networking guidance, interview preparation, and salary negotiation assistance.

When our outplacement participants first register, they receive a login to our system and complete an intake survey. This helps coaches understand their level of familiarity with the job search process and identify areas where they may need more support. Participants then watch an orientation video that walks them through the available technology and resources.

Our virtual platform includes a structured learning path, which is a step-by-step guide to the job search process. Each module covers a specific topic with an introduction video, written content, and links to additional resources, including related webinars. Participants who are new to job searching can follow the sequence, while those with more experience can skip to the modules most relevant to them.

In addition to this learning path, the platform provides a comprehensive knowledge center filled with job search resources, best practices, and access to webinars. Live webinars are led by coaches on a rotating schedule, but participants can also watch recordings if they need flexibility. There’s also a job search tool that allows participants to find job openings based on keywords and location, streamlining the application process.

The platform also features a networking section where participants can connect with others going through their own job search, as well as Careerminds alumni who have successfully landed jobs and may even be in a position to hire.

The biggest thing is reassuring them that they are not alone—many people have gone through this process. Our job is to help them work through their uncertainty by providing the resources and coaching they need to land their next job. When they know that they have someone who listens to their concerns, understands their fears, and offers advice along the way, they start to feel more comfortable. 

In our orientation call, I take time to assess their emotional state. If their anxiety is holding them back from taking the next steps in their job search, I work with them to build confidence and get unstuck.

If participants ever need to reach out for more support, they can contact us via email, phone, or text. Some prefer video meetings, which we set up via Google Meet, but many prefer phone calls or emails over video. We are flexible with our communication style to meet their needs.

Many participants are relieved to have support because they aren’t familiar with the modern job search landscape. The hiring process has changed a lot over the years, and navigating LinkedIn, job boards, and networking can be overwhelming. Unless someone has experience in HR or recruiting, they may not know where to start. 

When participants realize that they have access to expert guidance and resources, they feel reassured. Our customer satisfaction surveys and 99 percent satisfaction rate reflect this—our participants consistently express gratitude for the support they receive in landing their next job.

Our role as coaches is to help participants work through their negative emotions and build confidence. While job loss comes with a range of emotions, we focus on guiding them through the tough moments and highlighting the positives. We want them to feel empowered in their job search and trust that, with time and effort, they will find their next opportunity.

Providing outplacement support helps make a difficult situation a little easier for affected employees. Losing a job can be emotional and bring up fears about financial security and the future. Offering this kind of service eases some of that anxiety. While it doesn’t take away all of the emotions, it provides reassurance and practical support. 

It also shows goodwill—letting employees know that even though tough business decisions had to be made, the company is still invested in helping them transition to their next opportunity. It’s a worthwhile benefit that makes a real impact.

If your organization is considering outplacement services, check out our easy-to-follow buyer’s guide that goes over our Careerminds outplacement process in more detail.

The outplacement industry has evolved towards using more technology in helping transition affected individuals to a new job. The use of AI in the industry has flourished. However, while AI has a place in providing valuable information to job seekers, it does not replace the relationships and guidance that coaches provide to help individuals navigate the overwhelming landscape of a job search. 

Careerminds excels at providing a balance of cutting-edge technology resources and dedicated, experienced career coaches who have expertise in every step of the job search process. The coaches at Careerminds are passionate about developing strong relationships with their participants, providing expert advice, and ensuring successful career transitions.

I love helping participants gain the skills needed to conduct a successful job search and land a new job that they are excited about. I enjoy developing that relationship over time—calming their fears when they are anxious or overwhelmed, getting to know them personally, understanding their goals, gaining their trust, and helping them with their résumé, LinkedIn profile, networking, interviewing, negotiating an offer, or anything they need assistance with during their job search. 

It is so fulfilling when a participant moves on to the next chapter in their career and I have been a part of helping them get there. Hearing their appreciation for their outplacement program and career coaching never gets old!

After being a career coach with Careerminds for 15 years, it is hard to pare down my experience to one defining moment. It really is a succession of many memorable moments.

It has been wonderful to be part of a team of truly dedicated and passionate career coaches and operations staff. It has been exciting to see the company evolve over the years—becoming global, upgrading technology, fine-tuning processes, and collaborating with experts in the field. 

It has been rewarding to build relationships with and help hundreds of participants to successfully transition to the next phase of their careers. It is so fulfilling when a participant says: “Thank you, I could not have done this without you.” Being part of a great organization that does great things for people is beyond compare!

If you are interested in learning more about our industry-leading outplacement programs, click below to speak with our experts and see if Careerminds is the right outplacement partner for your organization.

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Cynthia Orduña

Cynthia Orduña is a Career and Business Coach with a background in recruiting, human resources, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has helped 50+ companies around the world hire and retain talent in cities like LA, SF, NY, Berlin, Tokyo, Sydney, and London. test She has also coached over 300 people, from entry to senior levels, in developing their one-of-a-kind career paths, Her work has been featured in publications such as Business Insider, The Balance Careers, The Zoe Report, and more. To learn more you can connect with Cynthia on LinkedIn.