Starting your career or altering its trajectory isn’t easy. No matter what life stage they are in, adults face numerous challenges in this area. Many of these hurdles arise from being unfamiliar with professional life and how the job market works. If you’ve found yourself in this boat, you might be wondering who you can turn to for advice. The answer is a career guidance consultant. Also known as a career guidance counselor, this professional is equipped with the knowledge and know-how to help you get on the right track. They can assess your background, education, work history, and career aspirations before recommending ways to achieve your career goals. There are numerous professionals who offer career guidance for high school students or career guidance for adults, but the kind of assisstance they offer differs. In this guide, we will go over the steps to help you find the ideal career guidance counselor.

Step 1: Determine What You Need

Before starting the search process, it is vital to determine the type of services you actually need. This step is vital because it will help you narrow down the specific kind of career guidance counselor who can deliver what you’re seeking. For example, you might be interested in finding someone who offers career coaching services or a professional who has experience with writing and critiquing resumes. Perhaps you’re seeking someone who specializes in career guidance for students who are unsure of which field to pursue or who can help you craft the perfect LinkedIn profile. There are plenty of career guidance consultants who offer each of these services, but it is best to learn which service they excel in and whether that service aligns with your needs.

Step 2: Research Online

The internet is the best place to start your search for a career guidance consultant. A simple Google search for  “career guidance counselor” or “career guidance for adults” should yield numerous results. This includes websites for counseling organizations, counseling centers, and private counselors. Consider browsing through the results on the first two or three pages, checking whether the professional or the organization offers the type of service you are seeking. It is also worth looking up the counselor’s or center’s location. If they are located too far from you, it may be better to choose someone who is closer. Alternatively, you can opt for a counselor who offers online career guidance through video calls. Following this, you should note down five professionals or organizations that fit the bill.

Step 3: Assess the Options

Career counselors differ greatly in terms of qualifications, skills, and experience. For this reason, it is vital to assess each option and narrow down your choices. Many career counselors are also members of organizations that uphold professional standards. This includes the National Career Development Association (NCDA) and the American Counseling Association (ASA). Choosing a counselor who is a member of one of these organizations increases the likelihood that they are well-qualified and meet professional standards. You can also look up online reviews for the counselor or organization. This is a great way to hear from people who have used their services in the past and learn about their experiences. It is best to look up reviews and ratings from independent websites, as reviews on the counselor’s or organization’s website may have been cherry-picked. By the end of this step, you should be able to narrow down your picks to three choices.    

Step 4: Get in Touch With the Consultant

The next step is to contact each consultant and speak with them directly. This is a great way to learn more about the professional and determine whether their knowledge and expertise are as in-depth as advertised. During your meeting with the consultant, you can ask them question questions such as:

• “What is your background and experience in career counseling?”
• “Can you provide examples of clients you have helped in the past?”
• “What tools do you use to help clients?”

A good counselor will be upfront about their background and be able to provide names of clients they’ve helped. If one of the clients works in an industry you are interested in getting into, you can ask the career counselor about it. This gives you an opportunity to learn how much the counselor knows about the industry and whether they are suited to help you enter it. It is also important to ask the career guidance consultant about their fees. Depending on the professional, they may charge an hourly rate, a flat fee, package deals, or a subscription model for ongoing access to their services. Knowing this information upfront is vital as it could impact the professional’s suitability.

Step 5: Make Your Choice

Once you’ve spoken with all three career guidance consultants, you should have a good idea of which one is the best choice. So, consider reaching out to the counselor and start using their services.

Why Choose Resu Consulting?

Choosing the right career guidance consultant can be a lengthy process, and there’s no guarantee that the professional you end up choosing will be able to deliver good results. If you’re interested in skipping this search process and using a career counseling service operated by a team of experienced career experts immediately, consider choosing Resu Consulting. We offer a wide range of services, including career coaching, resume writing, cover letter writing, and LinkedIn profile writing for students and professionals alike. Get in touch with our team and start working toward your career goals.