What should you look for in a career counselor?

When selecting a career counselor, prioritize their credentials and training. Opt for professionals with a master's or higher degree in counseling, psychology, or a relevant field. Seek out those specializing in career counseling or development. Verify their certifications and licenses—like National Certified Counselor (NCC) or Certified Career Counselor (CCC)—signifying their competence and credibility. These designations reflect adherence to educational, supervisory, and ethical standards established by industry organizations.

It's important to acknowledge the various avenues that can lead to a career in Career Services(coaching, counselling, job search support etc.) The individuals entering this field can have diverse backgrounds: -Some transition from HR roles. -Others come from the Educational and Training Sector. -Some may choose to specialize in career coaching after a general coaching foundation. Because of this diversity, you'll encounter a wide range of credentials. However, I find it valuable to consider two things: 1- Are they committed to growth (Upskilling & Reskilling) This is very important in the field of careers. 2- Are they in Community? This could translate in different ways from memberships to associations, being part of relevant groups etc.

There are a variety of paths that may lead a professional to serve others as a career counselor. There is not a one-sized fits all approach, or background that is the right fit for everyone. Here are some things to think about regarding who you will choose: * Look at the person's functional expertise. Will this be relevant to you? * Do they have HR or recruitment experience? Will this give you an insider perspective to navigate job search and interviews? * Degree requirement - there is not one type of degree or certification that is the gold standard. Ask the person you are vetting how their education, certifications, and background apply to and inform the work they do.

The most important thing you can look for in a career counselor is fit. Make sure that it's someone that you feel comfortable talking to and whose advice you feel good about and that you can connect with. I've been working in this field for a long time and I can tell you that credentials are important, but results and how you feel after talking to them are even more important. Chose someone who makes you feel excited, motivated and more confident even during your initial conversation. Ensure that their package fits your needs. Don't over pay for things you don't need and make sure that if there is something that is really important to you that it is part of their service package. Congrats on looking for a career counselor!

Si quieres contratar un Career Coach que te acompa?e en tu cambio o transición profesional, fíjate en estos criterios: ?Experiencia y resultados con diversos perfiles y sectores. Que disponga de un método de trabajo y se actualice constantemente ?La red de contactos que ha conseguido como experto en el mercado laboral que compartirá contigo. ?Entre sus competencias, deben destacar: capacidad de escucha, empatía y comunicación. De manera que te genere confianza desde el primer momento. Y por último su compromiso e implicación. Su disponibilidad te hará sentir que estás acompa?ado SIEMPRE, porque esa es su verdadera vocación, estar contigo en cada uno de los momentos de la verdad del proceso de cambio profesional para conseguir tu éxito.

Experience of a career counselor is more important to me than their certifications actually. Expertise and experience is the first instant value a counselor would be audited for and he must pass the test of that for me to approach him and go further in taking his advises and guidance. In this, their niche and goals must align with mine and understand me to reasonable to extent. Also, I would ensure he has values across the horizons I needed most critically. To further your commitment in due diligence, it is okay to request to see their certifications, milestones, achievement, testimonials and feedbacks.

Experience and expertise are crucial in a career counselor. Inquire about their years in practice, client demographics, industry familiarity, and their preferred techniques. Determine if they possess specific specializations aligning with your requirements—such as career transitions, resume crafting, interview preparation, or personality assessments. Request their resume, portfolio, testimonials, or references to validate their assertions and gauge their effectiveness. A counselor's track record and tailored approach matter in making an informed choice.

One of the best ways to see the results and impact a career counselor or coach has made is to look at their recommendations and testimonials. LinkedIn is not the only place to look because sometimes professionals do not want to post this on the platform. Instead, see if the coach has a website where they house testimonials. Look at their engagement with their community. Are they having conversations about the topics that matter to career search?

Experience and expertise in career counseling not only provides counselors with a wealth of knowledge and resources, but also enables them to better serve clients by providing tailored, informed and effective guidance and support to guide complex career decisions and career development. Ask previous clients for success stories when choosing an experienced and expert career counselor.

Don't overlook rapport and communication when choosing a career counselor. Opt for someone who fosters comfort, respect, and understanding. Effective communication is key, so observe their clarity, attentiveness, and courtesy. Gauge this through initial consultations, inquiries, and nonverbal cues. Also, grasp their communication approach during the process—frequency, duration, and methods. A counselor who establishes a positive connection and maintains transparent communication will contribute significantly to your journey.

Having a chemistry call with any coach you hire is highly recommended! Ask for the opportunity to have a conversation about your goals and expectations so that both of you enter the relationship with eyes wide open.

Other skills that are essential to the success of career counselors include: - Active listening to their client’s concerns. - Empathy because career counselors often deal with people experiencing career uncertainty. Conflict Resolution to help clients make difficult decisions or career transitions. Cultural Sensitivity to differences when working with clients from diverse backgrounds. Careers counselors should be able to: -Administer and interpret various career assessment tools. - Provide guidance on job search strategies. - Help clients set clear career goals and develop feasible plans. - Adhere to ethical standards and maintain client confidentiality.

Ask for a proposal and/or contract before making a final decision about working with a career counselor (or coach) so that you avoid surprises later. Counselors and coaches base their fees on many factors and may offer multiple payment options. Your main objective should be to find someone who specializes in working with clients like you, connect to see if you are a good fit for each other, and THEN look at the investment.

In many cases, you get what you pay for. If you vet primarily on price and not results, you may be disappointed. If you are struggling with the investment, there are many free or inexpensive options versus simply hiring a coach you are uncertain about.

What you will want to uncover is "social proof" from people who have had experience working with the coach. There are several ways to check out what people say about a career coach. The easiest thing to do is look at their LinkedIn profile recommendations and skill endorsements. Next, take a look at the coach's website. Why? Because some people will not want to write a recommendation on LinkedIn because they do not want to signal to their network that they hired a coach. The business website is a great way to see if they have accumulated information to help you decide.

It’s important to make sure that the right career consultant or counselor is the right fit for you by following their content and reading through their website and LinkedIn profile to see the commonalities that you have with them. See if you share the same values and how they can help you. You can try to contact them via the services page on LinkedIn and see if they can meet your requirements and needs.

Ask about their method and approach. Do they have a framework and models that work? How do they know? Ask the hard questions to ensure you have found the right fit prior to investing.

Choose a career counselor who: - Stays updated regarding industry trends and the changing employment environment. -Builds a broad network across different industries to help you explore opportunities and connect you with potential employers. - Has a clear process for working with clients, including how they help you set goals, make decisions and track progress. - Provides realistic expectations for achieving career goals. -Is open to feedback and willing to adjust your approach as your needs change. Finally find a career counselor whose values and personality match yours.

Consider working with someone with expertise in the areas you need support. Ensure they hold recognized coaching credentials rather than merely declaring themselves as a coach. Many coaches offer a complimentary coaching session to gauge the compatibility of your working styles. Define expectations for a career counselor. Discuss pricing and packages upfront. Take the opportunity to ensure compatibility. As a Career Coach, my goal is to tailor my services to individuals who can genuinely benefit, acknowledging that each person's needs are unique and not universally applicable.