How can you use online resources to support your clients' career development goals?

As a career consultant and human resources expert, I leverage on using career assessment tools, optimizing resumes and LinkedIn profiles, recommending job search platforms, encouraging professional development through online courses, advising on online networking, preparing for interviews, building a personal brand, and utilizing online tools for research, salary negotiation, mentorship, and more. By combining these resources and my expertise, I help clients make informed career choices, enhance their qualifications, and progress in their chosen fields.

As a communication trainer, I firmly believe that effective communication extends beyond face-to-face interactions. It also involves crafting compelling online profiles, networking through digital platforms, and showcasing one's expertise through written and visual content. Online tools can empower clients to reach a broader audience, connect with like-minded professionals, and showcase their skills and achievements effectively. However, it's important to remember that while online resources are valuable, they should be used in conjunction with strong interpersonal communication skills to create a well-rounded professional image.

As a communication trainer, I firmly believe that effective communication extends beyond face-to-face interactions. It also involves crafting compelling online profiles, networking through digital platforms, and showcasing one's expertise through written and visual content. Online tools can empower clients to reach a broader audience, connect with like-minded professionals, and showcase their skills and achievements effectively. However, it's important to remember that while online resources are valuable, they should be used in conjunction with strong interpersonal communication skills to create a well-rounded professional image.

As a coach following points help us to provide a justified approach: 1. Assess client needs and interests. 2. Identify strengths and weaknesses. 3. Discover passions and values. 4. Define short-term and long-term goals. 5. Use MBTI and StrengthsFinder for insights.

For my clients, I always recommend a that they perform a thorough assessment of their goals, values and interest, as an important first step. When this is done well it helps them get clear on what they want, and having clarity around their goals and interests helps them proceed with confidence.

A big part of developing a career plan is using AI and online searches to explore new career options. Most people have done very little career exploration so adding this step into the career planning process is key. *ONet, developed in the US, and the NOC (National Occupational classification in Canada) can be great places to start exploring industry sectors and new career options. Using AI to explore companies working in certain sectors also opens up opportunities often missed in the job search, career planning process.

Using Lego with clients who need clarification about their next career step is fantastic. This careers development plan is an engaging and creative way to visualise their goals and the steps required to achieve them. For example, the base of the Lego can represent the current career, and the next layer is the skills and experience.

The online platform and with the evolved self-paced learning has changed fundamentally how ones could learn a new skill. It makes a huge difference on learning experience, which people have a choice of the preferred time and channel to obtain new skilset and knowledge. Some of these training have a simulation environment for case studies have been ableb to accelerate the learning progress, immediate application of knowledge could keep thr momentum of learning and motivate the learners.

Online Networking is a great way to enhance once career goals especially with online groups or online educators in your field or in a field one wants to pivot in. Most of these groups and educators provide free and relevant information but it’s a good place to also gain visibility by sharing what you know while learning from others. Also it provides great opportunity for collaboration and spark on new ideas for growth especially if one is thinking of transitioning into an entrepreneur. I find LinkedIn is a great place for this.

In my experience, online networking has helped develop careers/ businesses. I agree that clients can directly get in touch with professionals as well as learn from them. I usually recommend networking through LinkedIn or other social media platforms like WhatsApp/ Facebook/ Telegram groups. Few networking tips that I recommend: 1. Send a connect/ follow request to professionals from your field. 2. Join professional groups on social media. 3. Respond to posts that can either help to network/ boost your learning. 4. Ask relevant career-specific questions. 5. Answer questions only if you know. 5. Attend online events (webinars/seminars/thought exchange discussions). 6. Leave groups that do not add value to your career growth.

Online networking allows individuals to actively showcase their skills and achievements to potential employers by connecting globally with professionals worldwide, exposing them to various jobs. I highly recommend LinkedIn to my clients seeking work or wanting to network with other professionals.

Consider the power of personal branding. Clients could craft a compelling online narrative and showcase achievements on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging with industry content also positions them as knowledgeable professionals.