5 Main Benefits of Career Counselling

Career Counselling: A Guide to Making the Right Career Decisions

 

With the help of relevant and standardized assessments, a professional career counsellor can help you understand yourself better and match you to your perfect career.

Career planning has never been easy. Whether it’s a student deciding on the subjects to take or making their initial career choice, it’s always prudent to seek professional guidance. Of course, some will argue trusting their intuition or getting advice from friends and family should be sufficient guidance.

However, with this approach, it’s easy to end up stuck with a choice that isn’t right for you. Furthermore, the education system is constantly expanding, and it’s almost impossible to keep up with new jobs and opportunities.

What Is Career Counselling?

Career counselling is a process that focuses on helping individuals (students and professionals alike) make informed educational and occupational decisions. It helps shift one’s mindset from the general understanding of life and work to a deeper understanding of the realistic and practical career options suitable for them.

A career counsellor will typically employ a range of techniques to help in making complex career decisions. Some of the commonly asked questions include:

• What are your interests, values, and preferences?
• What are some of your most memorable work experiences?
• How do you relate with leaders, managers, and organizers?
• How do you learn best?
• How do you deal with conflicts and challenges?

Having these kinds of discussions and assessments with an expert helps clarify your career goals, which is invaluable in making informed and meaningful career decisions. 

 

What Is the Difference Between Guidance and Counselling?

Career guidance focuses on assisting individuals in achieving their desired career goals and is beneficial at any point in life.

Counselling, on the other hand, helps individuals better understand themselves. As it dwells on the deep understanding of the individual’s interests, personalities, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, it’s preferable after 10th /12th grade or at the graduate level.

 

What Are the Benefits of Career Counselling?

 

A career counsellor can help you:

 

Determine your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values

Thanks to career counselling, you no longer need to worry about the painstaking process of identifying your skills, strengths, and abilities. All you will have to do is undergo a series of tests that may include IQ, aptitude, and personality tests, whose results will give a clear picture of your strengths and weaknesses.

Once you have these in mind, it becomes easy to match them with appropriate career and education options. On the other hand, identifying your shortcomings will help to determine which career paths might not be the best to follow. Plus, your career counsellor will help you address and improve these weaknesses, which, in turn, will reflect in your growth and development.

Set objectives and goals

Once you have determined your strengths and interests, your career counsellor can help you set short-term and long-term goals. Goal setting is a vital component of attaining a successful career-and for a reason. Having an action plan offers a great source of inspiration and gives direction to achieving your goals.

A goal should:

• Be Specific and Measurable
• Be Challenging but Reachable
• Have Time-constraints

 

Identify career options

With a regularly diversifying education system and an emerging tech-world, many new jobs are available today. As exciting as that may sound, it can also be quite overwhelming. Investing in career counselling gives you a deeper understanding of the world of work and helps broaden your perspective on what careers are available that fit your skillset.

 

With the support you need

Sometimes, all you need is a little motivation and support. Once you have settled on the best career path, your counsellor will help you find available opportunities and do the necessary follow-up. Support may range from sending the required applications to finding a school if you need additional training. Additionally, your guide will always be there to counsel you on the right action to take when you encounter a problem.

 

Enhance your brand

Whether you are looking to secure or change a job, you’ll need to present yourself in the best light. A career counselor can help you build your brand by:

• Helping with CV and LinkedIn profile construction
• Researching potential employers
• Writing job applications and cover letters
• Arranging for interview practice

Uncertainty and lack of clarity can lead to wrong career choices. If you are at crossroads thinking about the next steps to take in your career, career counselling is right for you.