The nature of employment has changed in the last decades. As compared to in the 20th century, nowadays people will generally have several different jobs during their lifetime. Career patterns are forever changing. But the days of a school leaver starting a job and staying with the same company for 50 years are in the past. Transactions between careers are made easier with the help of a counsellor. In this articles we will take a look at the career counselling process, it’s purpose and outcome.
Let’s first define career counselling. According to Coetzee and Roythrone Jacobs, career counselling is about empowering clients with choices. These choice are those that will be made during a lifetime and during one or more career moves. A career counsellor uses psychological theory to improve the skills of the subject, thus making it easier for them to transition from one career to another.
Career Counselling Process : Job Transitions
Throughout the last decades the career counselling process has been defined in many different ways. The key focus however remains the same, regardless of the definition that is being referred. It is the job of the counsellor to ensure that the client makes the correct career-related decisions. The clients seeks assistance with career choices, and is guided by his counsellor. In many cases, the client would not make a career move if it was not for the assistance received by his counsellor. In many cases, he would be too scared to quit a job, and in others he may not be able to recognise the type of job he should be applying for.
The process of career counselling is a verbal one. A mutual relationship between client and counsellor is built up where the strengths and the resources of the client are focused upon. In order to be able to make decisions about future career moves, it is essential to be able to recognise your strengths and weakness as well as your aptitudes. With the help of a counsellor, an informed decision can be made about a possible or pending career move.
Put simply, by using a career counsellor, you are improving your chances of a positive career move. Without his help and guidance you may make a wrong decision that will cost you highly in your future employment. Switching careers to one you are not suited to can have a big negative impact on all aspects of your life. Being capable of fulfilling your job role is only a small part of your future career success.
Addressing Problems and Implementing Change
If you are seeking the advice of a career counsellor, chances are that you are not happy in your current employment. You may feel you are not reaching your full potential, or alternatively you may believe you are in the wrong job. Unlike in the past where people stayed in one job for decades, the current employment world encourages change. Not being able to reach your own targets and goals is something that can be discussed with your counsellor. There are many scenarios where you may seek the advice of a counsellor. Perhaps further promotion is impossible in your current job, and you feel the need to take on a managerial or executive role. Alternatively, you may have gone straight from college into a job that you actually dislike, but have no previous experience in other sectors.
Your counsellor will allow you to identify your purpose in life and your passions. Together you will build a game plan for your life. He will show you how to identify your skills, and use them to achieve your career goals. He will also teach you how to remove the barriers you have created yourself that are preventing you from changing career and having the working life that you crave.
Lastly, the career counselling process will ensure that you create a healthy work-life balance. Everyone needs time for themselves, no matter how motivated they are about their job or career. If your personal life and relationships are suffering due to your job choices, now is the time to make a change. No one should or has to stay in a job that they don’t enjoy or where their personal needs or goals are not met. With the help of a counsellor, you can reach your goals, achieve your dream job, and turnaround even the worst career decisions you ever made.