Learning from the Mistakes of Others: Why You Need Career Counselling

Career counselling is sometimes called career coaching – and for a good reason. If you opt to work with an expert partner to help advance your professional goals, you can benefit from both:

  • Coaching: Working with a coach to see what concrete steps you should take as you enter the workforce, change fields or move forward in an already established career.
  • Counselling: Taking a more process-driven approach as you explore whether there are behavioral, emotional or psychological issues that may be impeding your ambitions.

According to a newly released survey of 1,500 working Canadians, half said they had not opted for career counselling, but would do so if given a second chance. They expressed agreement that just as you may need a financial planner or other professional to help further your goals, you may also need an expert to help successfully manage your career.

What You Gain from Career Counselling

The survey, conducted by the Canadian Education and Research Institute for Counselling and the Counselling Foundation of Canada, noted that the number of people seeking employment counselling declined as their age rose. But among students, 60 percent reported that they were likely to seek career advice from pros.

Regardless of where you are on your lifetime career path, career counselling can provide confidence, insight, encouragement and inspiration. In addition, you can find relief from the anxiety, fear and vulnerability that often accompany job-related situations and decisions.

Your professional career development partner can help you to:

  • Learn more about yourself. Gain awareness and self-knowledge by assessing your interests, abilities, values, personality and transferable skills as they relate to your career choices.
  • Gather educational and occupational information. Identify and familiarize with various career resources and generate alternative plans as needed.
  • Become a better planner and decision maker. Clarify and set realistic, achievable goals. Develop and implement a career path action plan and master coping skills to manage anxiety, deal with rejections and manage stress.
  • Conduct a job search. Optimize your strategy, tactics and follow-through when it comes to your professional image, resumes and cover letters, portfolio, interviews, networking, timely response to postings and related communication, salary negotiation, and increased commitment to the search process.
  • Cope with career challenges and transition issues. Create a plan to become marketable and remain competitive. Develop coping strategies for retirement plans and unpredictable aspects of work life such as personality conflicts, unemployment, underemployment or reentering the job market.

Your successful career path strategy is about much more than just perfecting your resume. Consider partnering with a professional career counsellor to help you define your direction and realize your goals. To learn more, read our related posts or contact Employment Professionals Canada today.