Career Counseling for Career Planning, Transitions and Advancement

What Is Career Counseling?

Career counseling is a type of therapy in which a professional guides you in understanding more about yourself, your interests, values and skills. This process often involves assessments, one-on-one counseling sessions and implementing strategies to help you achieve your goals.

With this insight, you will be better equipped to make informed decisions about education, training and personal development, as well as how they relate to your career path.

Anyone can benefit from career counseling, but it may be particularly beneficial if:

You are trying to figure out what you want to study in college.
You are trying to make a career change.
You want to advance within your current career.
You have just graduated or are ready to enter the workforce for the first time.

If you feel unsure or stuck about how to move forward in your next steps of career building, seeing a professional career coach could be just what you need.

Career Assessments and Tools

One way a career counselor will help you reach your goals is through a career assessment.

This gives both you and your counselor better insight into your personality, skills, desires and how these characteristics can align with potential career paths and long term goals.

Career assessments often include strength tests, personality assessments, skills inventories, values surveys and aptitude tests.

These assessments will not necessarily tell you which career to pursue, but they help you better understand yourself and explore your options.

Career Planning and Goal Setting

Once you have a better idea of the types of career paths you are interested in, you can work with your career counselor to set short and long term goals.

Short term goals may include:

Skill development through online training or certification classes
Networking by attending industry events
Finding mentors who can give you feedback
Updating your resume or portfolio
Learning interview skills and practicing them through role play

Some long term goals may include:

Earning advancement within your current organization
Completing a degree that is needed for your eventual career
Starting your own business or growing your business to the next level

Whatever your goals are, you and your counselor can work to adjust them until they feel attainable and appropriate for your career path.

Job Search and Transition Support

Career counseling can also help you in the beginning stages of a job search or if you are transitioning in your career.

Your counselor may offer job search strategies, such as resume building and interview coaching. During counseling, you’ll discuss your relevant experience and how to write a resume that will increase your chances of securing an interview.

Learning and practicing interviewing skills is also an important part of the process. Some tips to use during an interview include maintaining good eye contact when speaking with someone.

As well, it is important to be ready to discuss examples of work you are proud of and how they would make you a good fit for their organization.

As well, bring your own questions about the role and organization. Not only will this help to answer any questions you may have, but it also signals that you are interested in the position and how it will benefit you and your future.

Navigating career changes can be challenging; career counseling can help. Depending on what kind of transition you are facing, your counselor will help you to explore any training or certifications you may need.

In addition, they can help you to learn more about the industry you are interested in and work with you on building confidence and improving your anxiety and stress management skills.

Ongoing Professional Development

Another aspect of career counseling is professional development counseling that focuses on advancing your professional skills.

Career counseling can help you develop leadership skills, improve your workplace communication, improve your conflict resolution skills and gain industry specific knowledge.

Whether professional development is a requirement for your job or just a personal goal, career counseling can help you improve your skills and achieve the change you are seeking.

FAQs

How Can Career Counseling Help Me Choose a Career?

Career counseling can help improve your self awareness and build confidence and skills to achieve your goals.

It helps clarify options by identifying your values, skill sets and passions and aligning them with career options to explore.

What Assessments are Included?

There are many strengths and skills assessments involved in career counseling. Some commonly used assessments, such as personality assessments like the MBTI, can help you better understand aspects of your personality and how that aligns with certain careers.

Skills assessments and interest inventories will help define which skills you possess and which areas of interest you should explore. Values surveys are used to help you identify what things are important to you and your career path.

Can Career Counselors Help With Job Applications?

Yes, a career coach can help you with all aspects of a job search, including filling out job applications.

They can coach you through different ways to answer questions that will maximize your chances of securing an interview. A career coach can also help you to create a professional resume, which is often part of the application process.

Is Career Counseling Helpful Mid-Career?

Yes, career counseling is invaluable at any stage in your career. Many people find that their career goals and values change over time, so allowing for a mid career check in with a counselor could be useful in further defining your next steps.