Careers consultants - anyone tried one?

[Iwasneverafanofthat]

Has anyone wanting to make a career change but with no firm ideas as to what, ever tried going to a career consultant? If you did and found it helpful (or unhelpful!), would be very grateful for any advice as to how to choose one, (there are lots on the internet but how do you decide who to approach?), whether it was worth it, etc. Thanks in advance!

I'm one

Look at the CDI register or contact the national careers service for free careers advice (assuming you are in England).

Always ask if they have the postgrad in careers guidance as a minimum

Lots of fake careers advisors out there and/or those who have no clue what career guidance really is

Thanks so much Sassenach - that CDI register website is brilliant!

Yes, I can imagine it's best to have a word of mouth recommendation, but the advice about the postgrad qualification is a very good start!

Would you say it's useful for someone who has no fixed ideas at all about what to do next (career change) or does it tend to be more useful when the person has at least a few pointers?!

It doesn't matter what stage you are at or whether you have some ideas or not. The career consultant would help you identify your strengths and interests which you could possibly take forward.

Thanks Sassanach (sorry about sp before!) - yes that does sound as though it could be really useful if you find the right person. I guess it might be worth seeing if they do a preliminary chat beforehand on the phone or by video to see if you 'click' .

Career shifters do some good courses - take a look at that

Other than that, Career consultants are like life coaches - unregulated, so there are some good ones and many awful ones. If you go for it be sure to talk to 3 or 4 people - that will give you a good sense.

Thanks lured - that does look really good. Seems to be mainly online only whereas I had been thinking of face to face, but I can see that online may have advantages as well! Face to face presumably more expensive also.

Good idea to talk to 3 or 4 people before deciding - if they do that, of course.

@Luredbyapomegranate we are NOTHING like life coaches although I do agree it can be hard to know who is genuine or not

A proper careers guidance practitioner will have gone through the postgraduate study (not a little cheap distance learning IAG course) and registered with either the CDI or AGCAS

Hence the recommendation to check those registers

🙄 I said that career coaches are like life coaches in that it’s an unregulated industry. There are good qualifications and bodies, and bad ones, and you have to be aware of that. Untwist your knickers…

I considered using one when I first started looking for work. In the end I did not. Instead I read a couple of career advice books and applied directly via websites, email and over the phone. By all means go for it. But do be careful not to use a cowboy one however.

Career coaches are unregulated so bear that in mind when searching for one. Talk to a few different ones and then decide. Contact the national careers service for more advice etc first. They might be able to help you find a good qualified one.

A good career advisor will help you pinpoint and identify areas of strengths and weaknesses and know about the entire process. They will also help you focus on skills and qualities that are needed at work as well.

thanks again, everyone - very helpful. The key message seems to be don't rush into choosing one, and don't be afraid to ask questions about their quals!

languagelover are there any books in particular that you would recommend?!

Hi

Another Careers Guidance Practitioner here - definitely pick a name from the CDI Register as mentioned above - you will then be supported by a fully qualified, experienced practitioner that is expected to complete appropriate CPD each year, to be a member of the CDI and to observe CDI ethics.

Some free online psychometrics might help you until then - they can get you to start thinking about yourself and your conscious/unconscious preferences/needs/strengths and learning areas. This one is quite useful and would be a good catalyst for discussion with a qualified Careers Counsellor: www.16personalities.com/ It has many areas to it, I'm only recommending it for the aspects linked to career/work - however it does offer insights for more personal areas of your life also.

I'd break down the skills you have really enjoyed using in any recent roles, and those that you didn't. Write a list.

Perhaps also think back to the roles you have most enjoyed and reflect on why? And those you have found unfulfilling & why. Again, capture these.

Then bullet list the aspects that will be key for you (any geographical location, skills needed, skills you wish to learn, salary needs, ideas around sectors of work, if you have a preference around company size, culture, products/services you'd enjoy working with, any training you have spotted you might need ...).

Capture it all in a file (either A4 or digital) called 'Careers File' and use this to keep hold of all your research and ideas.

Just starting to reflect and capture information about yourself and possible opportunities will assist you in your overall thoughts. You can then discuss ideas fully and talk through how to prioritize between ideas and sanity check them.

A really useful step if you do wish to actually change (and not just consider it!) is to identify a sector and an overall role type, then request work shadowing from a professional in this field (on your days off if you are working). Linked In is great for approaching people informally, but professionally. You might start by messaging them and engaging them in conversation and then (if you feel you have synergy and they seem generous spirited), invite them for a coffee/light lunch to discuss the careers area/sector.
Many people don't do this any more I guess as a result of Covid, however I can tell you it absolutely works if you pick wisely and approach sensitively. Just hearing more about the industry sector can help you to identify if it is of genuine interest. You might after the meeting, obviously if you got on well, then message to ask for work shadowing. You might include how you could also help them on this day - any aspects you might be able to support them with too- so its not one sided.

Also Linked In can be your best friend in terms of reviewing others' careers. For example, if you took a degree, you could look up alumni of the same degree subject and see what they went into. Can you learn anything? Did they change mid career too?

What about a Higher or Degree Apprenticeship? You can apply for these at any age - not just 16-25. This will depend on your salary requirements clearly but if you have flexibility- why not? Yes it will depend on which field/how much competition there is and perhaps how niche it is, but keep it in mind. You can also convince an employer that is large enough to pay the Apprenticeship Levy, to take you on as an apprentice - especially if they are paying the Levy and not fully using the benefits this gives them. Many aren't!

Another exercise is to consider who you admire (both famous and in your network) and why? It can help you reflect on wider aspects than just employment. It can help you to consider if you, (like perhaps them), might wish to start a new business, a franchise or focus on a role/opportunity around something ethical e.g Climate Change....

A good Careers Practitioner will give you lots of the above type exercises as homework and when you meet, you will review what you have learned and how you can keep taking steps forward towards achieving the goals you have set. They can hand hold you through the planning and into your next opportunity - which can be valuable when you feel wobbly or anxiety about change sets in. Or they can be there when you decide you are not ready - but you now know what you need to do (when ready).

Sorry - far too much info - but you've caught me on a day off!
Good luck!

I would say do some personality type questionnaires online. I have always came out as an infj. You can then Google to match your personality type to careers. Then have a look through them and decide what you like the look of, what is physically possible in regards to training, finance, childcare, salary ect. Then talk to some people in your top few jobs and do a bit of research and just like that you should be ready to know where you want to take the next step be it training, volunteering or applying for jobs.