The Career Counseling Process

Career counseling is new territory for many people. Below are five phases of career counseling: intake, preparation, job search strategies, landing the job, and maintenance. Keep in mind the counseling process will be specifically tailored to meet your needs—not everyone needs the “full menu” to make a career change.

Here’s what to expect.

1) INTAKE

The first session centers around establishing rapport, collecting background information, identifying needs and challenges, and understanding your motivations for change. Then, we’ll formulate tentative goals for the next phase of career counseling.

2) PREPARATION

During the preparation stage, you’ll be doing career exploration, self-discovery, making decisions about a career or industry, and mapping out a path to your desired goals. We will begin psychotherapy during this stage if you’ve experienced a traumatic or adverse work experience. Preparation can branch out in many directions. Some topics and activities you might work on include:

• Career Assessments

• Career Exploration

• Self-Discovery

• Understand transferable skills

• Narrow down options

• Identify internal or external barriers

• Skill building

• Explore educational options

• Assess readiness for change

• Psychotherapy

3) JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES

Next, we’ll come up strategies for your job search. This is often an overwhelming stage during a career change, but you’ll have plenty of support and gentle encouragement to hold you accountable. I’ll help you take your big-picture goal and break it down into more manageable tasks. For example, you may work on the following marketing materials:

• Resume or C.V.

• Cover letter

• Online and social media presence (e.g., LinkedIn, professional portfolio)

• Career transition materials

• Elevator pitch

• Interview Prep

• Professional networking

• Academic applications

4) LANDING THE JOB

Time is of the essence during this stage, so we’ll talk about best practices in advance. I make every effort to support you in accepting (or tactfully declining) a job offer, negotiating your salary, and reviewing your offer letter. You may request an urgent appointment if you need to connect.

Communicating with a new employer can be stressful, and an equally pressing matter is sharing your big news with your current employer. Giving notice can be anxiety-inducing. The way you leave your current position is important. You may want to talk it out with a counselor if you’re leaving your job due to a stressful work situation. Counseling around your departure can help you shed the negative aspects of that situation and leave in a way where you feel strong and empowered. Clients tell me my calming and supportive counseling style is grounding amidst change.

5) MAINTENANCE

Even after you land the job, there is more to do. Career coaching can help you make a professional development strategy with your new employer. Many people continue career counseling sessions after they land their new role focusing on:

• Mentorship

• Continuing education

• Training and development

• Stretch goals

• Networking

---

CAREER COUNSELING IS A PROCESS

Some career counselors and coaches offer package deals that encompass various aspects of this process. I understand the value in package deals—mainly because a career transition is a process. And, while I occasionally offer group training or workshops, I prefer to offer individual sessions. Here’s why.

1. You already feel confident or have specific skills. Maybe you don’t need interview coaching or feel confident negotiating a salary. We don’t have to linger on issues or waste our efforts doing redundant activities. Individual sessions allow you to focus on areas that benefit you the most.

2. You set the pace. The process of change looks different for everyone. Career exploration and self-discovery can take time. There’s a lot to contemplate and big decisions to be made. So while we will generally have a game plan on topics to cover, if you need to spend longer on a particular topic, we will. Your agenda is my agenda!

3. You set your priorities. Priorities shift quickly during a job search. You quickly landed a job interview? Amazing! We’ll jump ahead and make a game plan.  

4. People learn differently. I’ll consider your learning style when I compile tools and materials to aid your learning. I’m well-versed in adult learning, counseling techniques, and career development theory I have years of experience working with and making workplace accommodations for a wide range of needs, including working with people who are neurodivergent.

5. You’re not locked into an expensive program. Every counseling relationship will one day end. I respect your decision to do so when it feels right for you. One of my working values is respect for autonomy. Respecting autonomy means assisting you in making the changes you want in your life and empowering you to set intentions and goals that align with your values.