THE THREE STAGES OF

CAREER COUNSELLING

Job search and career management in the 21st century require more thorough preparation than ever before. At Career Counselling Services, we use a three stage approach:

Stage 1: Insight
Stage 2: Planning
Stage 3: Action

Many people make the mistake of rushing headlong into action without doing the crucial preparatory work of Stages 1 and 2. The CCS Insight Programme - Stage 1- prepares you to make more focussed plans for your future. Stage 2 - Planning - gives you the ideas and targets designed to motivate you to succeed. Success at Stage 3 - Action - will depend on a combination of thorough preparation, and the skills, knowledge and support to make it happen and keep up your momentum.

Stages 1 and 2 can only be taken together. This is a comprehensive programme of career counselling, involving 12-14 hours of meetings, and an equivalent amount of time completing exercises off-site. If you are uncertain whether to commit to this full programme, you may want to consider a single consultation. You can discuss this with one of our trained career counsellors before making any commitment.

Stage 1: Insight

This is the fundamental preparation which should be undertaken prior to making a decision about your career and personal development. It enables you to address the questions ‘who am I?’ and ‘what do I want?’ It may include the use of tests, questionnaires and self-appraisal exercises to help you address your:

• Skills (what am I good at?)
• Aptitudes (what am I capable of?)
• Interests (what am I motivated to do?)
• Values (what is most important to me?)
• Personality (what work roles and environments would suit me?)
• Career Drivers’ (what are my key career needs?)
• ‘Past Positives’ (what activities & environments enable me to thrive?)

Further exercises will enable you to clarify these results, leading to the creation of a ‘Job Template’, a summary of those key elements you must have in your work life. This is the point you will reach by the end of Stage 1: Insight.

Stage 2: Planning

With the increased clarity and confidence which Stage 1 can provide, you will be in the best possible frame of mind to brainstorm ideas for your future. Your Career Counsellor will help you to narrow down your list, and to produce a focussed, realistic and step-by-step action plan.

You will need to read materials and talk to employers and contacts who know about your areas of interest. CCS can give you details of relevant websites. Our Library is a useful source of ideas and further information on diverse careers, training and development courses and grant-giving bodies.

Stage 3: Action

Stage 3 consists of a number of modules. You can take one or more of these modules immediately following Stages 1 and 2, or as a ‘stand alone’ option:

Developing an effective curriculum vitae
Powerful networking
Making interviews work for you
Making a success of your next job

Developing an effective curriculum vitae

• making your CV stand out from the crowd
• using language effectively
• using layout to highlight your key strengths.

You will receive a copy of the CCS Job Hunting Manual, which contains model CVs and many tips, tools and practical exercises. We will help you to develop at least one excellent CV. You will also learn how to produce your own CV for the future. After the initial face-to-face meeting, you may choose to continue this module via email contact.

Powerful networking

• identifying job leads
• building bridges with others
• gathering information
• networking to solve problems
• generating ideas
• developing your listening and questioning skills.

The CCS Networking Guide gives you many tips and guidelines on networking. Your career counsellor will coach you in how to use them effectively.

As a result of this Networking Module, you will be more skilled, motivated and confident at networking.

Making interviews work for you

• improving your interview technique
• presenting yourself confidently
• matching your responses to the job
• dealing with tricky questions.

We will give you two videoed trial interviews, where you will be able to see the improvements you make.

You will receive a copy of the CCS Job Hunting Manual, which includes practical exercises, typical interview questions and suggested responses.

By the end of this module, you will feel more ‘in control’ when going for your next interview.

Making a success of your next job

No matter how ‘right’ a job or employer seems ‘on paper’, the reality can be very different from what you expect. There are proven ways to prepare yourself, which can be crucial in contributing to a successful move.

Some of the following situations may apply to you:

• I am just about to start a new role, and am keen to adjust quickly to the new environment. Can you coach me to develop strategies, tools or techniques that will enable me to do so?

• I’ve recently moved to a new role and I’m finding the adjustment hard. I’m wondering if I’ve made the right choice. Can you explore with me what is holding me back, and coach me in ways to get on top of this job?

• My organisation has recently been through significant change, resulting in a shift in key personnel. I am keen to adapt swiftly to the new situation. Can you enable me to identify ways of demonstrating my strengths to respond to the demands of the new structure?

This CCS programme will enable you to:

• understand the transition you are facing, its impact on you and the critical skills and strategies to apply
• envisage what success means to you in your new role
• be clearer about how you function ‘at your best’
• find ways to understand the informal culture of the new environment
• capitalise on your strengths and identify ways to manage your vulnerabilities
• address ways to accelerate your learning in the new job
• plan to establish early successes
• develop ways to work effectively with the key people around you.

As a result of this module, you will also be better prepared for responding to, and creating, any change in the future.

Now go to Career Counselling - The Programme