Anyone ever used a careers counsellor or advisor?

[MadBusLady]

Were they any help? Do they tend to be generalists or do they specialise in industries/sectors? Are they for people who already know what they're doing or for people without a clue how to start?

I am not having much luck googling for them. Just wondered if anyone had any experiences/recommendations.

Bump!

I had some life/career coaching which I found really useful. Dealt with issuing about returning to work along with identifying what I wanted to do. However, I was going back to the Sam type of role. Try googling life/career coaches, some of them are ex recruitment consultants or HR managers so have good knowledge of this area. It is about chemistry with them. I meet one who I really didn't get on with so didn't go ahead, when I meet the 2nd one I know it was right. Good luck

I had some coaching as part of my redundancy process 5 years ago - paid for by my employer probably because they were feeling guilty as sin. I learned a lot, especially some really good CV writing/selling myself skills which have stood me in good stead - not just in terms of getting a job (which I did very quickly)
but within the job I did get.

I think you can spot quite quickly which ones are bullshit artists and which ones are worthwhile, certainly my personal counsellor/coach was brilliant.

nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

You can book a face to face appointment

Try the what colour is your parachute book and website

Thanks for links and recommends! I've read the parachute book (not for years though) but I think I need something a bit more specific. I suppse my worry was what epees says, that some are bullshit artists. But so long as they're not all then I'm happy to shop around.

Have pm 'd you bus lady!

I was going to post slambang's link.

I'm a counsellor in private practice but I also deliver careers advice through the National Careers Service as part of my f/t job role.