Career Center - Career Counseling

Using a career counselor to help transition into a second career or find a new job can be very helpful. Career counseling can help you make decisions about promotions, job changes, retirement and other aspects of your career. It’s important to choose a qualified career counselor, however, as not all career counselors are the same. Career counseling is a large industry, and consequently, you have many counselors you can choose from.

In order to find a good career counselor who will be a benefit to you, you have to check the counselor’s credentials. Make sure your career counselor is certified with the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) at the very least. There are additional certifying bodies as well as professional associations in the career counseling industry as well. It’s important to have realistic expectations for what career counseling can and cannot do. Career counselors typically provide and interpret career assessment tests to help you determine what field you would most likely excel in, but they do not find you a job in that field. Career counselors can tutor you on job searching, career planning and decision-making, but they cannot guarantee you will find a better job or make more money.

Beware of any career counselors or counseling services that make lofty promises. Career counseling is just another tool in your career toolbox; it’s not a magic bullet. Unlike recruiting, career counseling is not free. You have to pay for career counseling services. Some counselors charge by the hour and some charge a flat rate. It’s recommended that you only pay for the services you need rather than purchasing a package deal. If you suddenly get the job of your dreams and no longer require career counseling, then you shouldn’t have to pay for it.