Finding a career that aligns with your interests and accommodates your lifestyle isn’t as simple as scrolling on LinkedIn. In fact, it’s not uncommon to try your hand at a number of roles before finding the right fit. So if you’ve pursued the job you’ve always wanted, worked in the role for several years, and realized it’s not the right fit, you’re not alone.
You don’t have to hold out in a position that makes you unhappy. There are professionals out there who can help you find your passion and land a new job ] — and they’re called career advisors.
Career coaching is an excellent resource for those looking to find professional momentum or transition to an unfamiliar industry. Whether you’re new to professional life or a seasoned worker, a career advisor can empower you to unlock your full potential and achieve the fulfillment you deserve.
What’s a career advisor?
Approximately 50% of employees wanted to make a career change in the near future. Some want better compensation, while others crave fulfillment. In fact, just 13% of employees around the world feel engaged at work. Most people in this position could use a hand to help them regain a sense of purpose in their professional lives.
A career advisor is a skilled professional who helps individuals build mental fitness and make career and education decisions. But what does a career advisor do that a friend or peer can’t?
Because each person’s journey is different, getting career advice from coworkers is often difficult. They aren’t necessarily experienced mentors, and many lack the specialized knowledge and context to support your unique career path.
Career coaches, on the other hand, offer personalized, unbiased, and informed guidance to grow your career to new heights. This guidance might include advice, career planning services, or referrals to educational programs that develop skills for effective career development.
Career advisors work one-on-one with their clients to identify career goals and provide tailored advice for staying on track to achieve them. They consider personality, lifestyle requirements, and professional aspirations to offer clients career advice and coaching, enabling them to step into the best versions of themselves.
Career advisor versus career counselor
Are you wondering what the difference is between an advisor and a counselor? Don’t worry: career coaching and career counseling are commonly confused practices.
The main difference between career advisors and career counselors is their approach. A counselor’s primary focus is providing clients with employment information and building solid candidacy for job applications. By contrast, career coaches may work with people to strengthen their resume and interview skills, but their priority is building their client’s strengths and values.
Most career counselors meet with their clients once or twice to provide short-term guidance. Career advisors, on the other hand, work long-term with their clients to ensure they follow a career development plan and progress toward their goals.
When to hire a career advisor
One of the most challenging steps in any coaching journey is determining whether or not you need a coach and if the investment will be worthwhile.
Admitting your career and professional life aren’t fulfilling takes courage. Because you spend about one-third of your life at work, it’s natural to want it to feel purposeful and bring a sense of accomplishment. Asking for help can feel uncomfortable — but you deserve to have someone in your corner helping you reach your full potential.
If you’ve decided to transition careers, you may be experiencing self-doubt and confusion. A career advisor can help calm these nerves: They allow you to see your situation objectively and build an action plan with manageable steps. These small iterations enable you to work towards your goals bit by bit without feeling overwhelmed.
And if your progress feels stagnant and you haven’t been able to make decisions that benefit your professional development on your own, it may be in your best interest to hire a career advisor. Whether you’re starting a new job, transitioning careers, or have been recently laid off, career advisors ensure you’re moving forward and not stuck in place.
Here are four scenarios in which hiring a career advisor can benefit your professional success:
1. New grad
Recent graduates often experience imposter syndrome. Career advisors can help you feel comfortable and capable during the process, including teaching you how to build confidence. They might reaffirm your current skills through mentorship or encourage you to develop new skills with education and training.
If you lack experience because you’re new to the workforce and struggling to land interviews, career advisors can also coach you on how to build a powerful resume, cover letter, or portfolio. And if you find yourself getting interviews but not progressing to the next round or receiving offers, an advisor can teach you to improve your interview skills and advise you on what to do and not to do in an interview.
Once you’re hired, a coach can empower you to maximize your impact in the role. They help you identify your short and long-term goals and assess what steps you need to take in order to boost your value-add and advance in your career.
For instance, if your long-term goal at a graphic design collective is to earn a promotion, your advisor will help you chart a course to get there. They’ll push you to pinpoint actionable steps that benefit this goal and demonstrate your value — for instance, taking the initiative to rebuild trust with an unhappy client.
2. Career change
There are numerous reasons for shifting careers. If you feel dissatisfied with your current role, need help seeing a future with your company, or are curious about a new field, a career transition coaching could be right for you.
Changing your career is intimidating, but a clear action plan makes the process more manageable and less stressful. Career advisors are just the people to help you develop this action plan and map a clear career path that leads to success and satisfaction.
Of course, time is a finite resource. You’re likely bogged down at work by numerous responsibilities and constraints, especially if you have a busy schedule. Career coaches are highly experienced in career transitions and creating plans for busy individuals: they’ll give you the advice and tools necessary to change careers no matter what other commitments you juggle.
3. Layoffs
Being let go isn’t always a negative turn of events. Sometimes, it’s an excellent opportunity to reassess what you want out of your career and consider whether or not you’re on the right path.
Whether you’ve been recently laid off or have been struggling to find a job, career coaches offer effective job search strategies. They might provide support in resume writing and cover letter building or ask mock questions to improve your interview and networking skills.
Career coaches can also help you to make the most of your time when you’re laid off. Now that you have more free hours in the day, you can take courses or workshops to develop new technical and soft skills. With their support, you can see a layoff as an opportunity to gain new skills and become a more competitive job seeker.
4. Improve work-life balance
If you enjoy the scope of your career but feel like it doesn’t support your ideal work-life balance, a career advisor can offer insight for improving your situation.
Career coaches encourage you to set boundaries at work and communicate effectively with your employer. In turn, this empowers you to communicate your needs, such as reduced overtime hours or a flexible work schedule with additional benefits.
3 benefits of hiring a career advisor
Our careers play a vital role in our well-being and overall satisfaction. Hiring a career advisor is just one step toward ensuring you’re on the right track to achieving your ideal professional career and leading a happier life.
Here are three benefits hiring a career advisor can have on our professional development:
1. Explore career options
Career advancement is the number one reason people change jobs, according to LinkedIn research. Feeling like you’re in a dead-end job is common, and often compensation alone isn’t motivating enough to stay in a satisfactory position.
Career coaches ask questions to assess your personality and interests so they can suggest career options you may enjoy and succeed in. Once it becomes more apparent what you’re passionate about and what you value in a workplace, you can narrow down your options and determine which career path interests you most.
2. Identify skill gaps
Everyone has skills they can improve upon. If you lack the requirements for a career you’ve had your eye on, a career coach can help you identify skill gaps and create an education plan to fill those gaps so you’re more competitive and competent.
3. Create development plans
Career advisors can help you build a career development plan, whether that’s for a role you’ve been in for years, months, or weeks. These plans assess your current skill set, organize career goals, and plan strategies to reach those goals.
After all, you deserve to achieve your aspirations — doing so enhances your sense of professional purpose, inspires skill acquisition, and advances your career trajectory.
How to find a career advisor
Once you decide to hire a career advisor, it’s time to find one. Here are several ways you can track down a career advisor, depending on your current position:
- Use career services on your college campus
- Ask an academic advisor
- Search online for digital or in-person coaching
- Visit your local employment services center
- Ask colleagues or your Human Resources department
- Ask friends or family
Before hiring a career coach, check their credentials and ask for references to ensure they’re qualified and will be the best fit. If you can contact references, feel out how helpful the coaching services were and what progress they made with the advisor’s help.
Unlock your potential
Even the most successful entrepreneurs and CEOs take advantage of personal and professional development. Whether you’re transitioning careers or starting fresh out of university, a career advisor can help you realize your professional aspirations and develop the necessary skills to reach your goals.
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