ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2008 > April > 02
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Should you consult a career counselor?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
At some point in time, most of us have come to a standstill in our job search. The résumés are going out, but no phone calls are coming back in. The natural question that people ask themselves is, “What am I doing wrong?”
The truth is you may or may not be doing anything wrong. There are so many facets to a job search that you may find it helpful to discuss your strategy with a professional. A career counselor or coach can help you objectively look at where you are in your career transition and can help you identify any potential pitfalls that you might not see on your own.
So, if you’re unemployed or under-employed is hiring a career counselor really worth the money? I think it really depends on your situation and your expectations. Still, it can’t hurt to investigate your options.
If you’re still struggling with what you want to be when you grow up, a counselor can help you decision-making resources like career assessments and can coach you on how to make a better decision. For that reason, you may benefit from working with a professional, especially if you tend to avoid making decisions out of fear or lack of confidence.
However, if your expectation is that he or she will be able to look at your resume and tell you what your perfect career is, then you may be disappointed. Career counselors and coaches cannot tell you what you should do for a living. They also can’t “place you” in a job. They can help you discover your strengths and interests and point you to a variety of resources that can help you decide if a particular career move is right for you. They can also answer questions and provide encouragement as you move forward.
If you’re already fairly certain about the kind of work you’re interested in pursuing, they can also help you put together an effective marketing plan to move you forward in the job search process. You may be very qualified for your target job, but your self-marketing efforts may be getting you nowhere. A professional can help you learn how to market yourself differently.
Most colleges and universities provide free or low cost career counseling and/or coaching to their students and alumni. Depending on school policy, you may need to be currently enrolled or a member of your alumni association in order to take advantage of these services. This is a great option, especially if you’re on a budget. Call your school to see what your benefits are!
If you’re interested in hiring someone to work with you independently, there are a couple of resources available locally that can help you identify a counselor or coach. Check out the Georgia Career Development Association at www.gcda.net or the Georgia Coach Association at www.gacoaches.com.
Have you worked with a career counselor or coach in the past? Did you find it helpful?
