One of the reasons I started Karuna CV was because I recognise the value of careers advice and guidance, and I also appreciate that many of you might have had bad experiences getting careers advice in the past.
I have worked in universities and colleges for over fifteen years, and one of the most common things I hear is “my teacher told me that I had to see the careers adviser”, or “I was told that the careers adviser would be able to tell me what I should do”.
It shouldn’t be like that
Careers professionals in the UK are trained to deliver information, advice and guidance (IAG), and in order to call yourself a careers adviser or career consultant you need to have a professional qualification accredited by the Career Development Institute (CDI). Our job is to listen to you and help you to explore the options, and often we may offer more practical advice such as how to construct a CV, write a cover letter, or prepare for a job interview. We are not there to tell you what you should do!
Bad press
Some of you may have read a recent article in The Observer, telling stories of people who have paid large fees to careers coaches who have not delivered. The article makes the point that anyone in the UK can call themselves a coach without necessarily holding professional qualifications or accreditations. Hmm.
Why am I telling you this?
Please don’t assume that your experiences at school, or finding guidance or coaching support via social media, are representative of what we do (and should be doing).
If you are seeking support with your career planning or loking for a job, then do ensure that you are contacting a careers professional who has a certified qualification – you can do a search via the CDI website (and yes, I am a Registered Career Development Professional).
If you are speaking to a coach, then ask to see their credentials – they should be accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), or potentially the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). A legitimate professional will never mind you asking the question!
The benefits of speaking to a careers adviser or coach
Just to finish, it might be worth reiterating how a careers adviser/consultant or career coach can help. A careers adviser or consultant will be trained in guidance, so will be able to listen to your situation and will also have some knowledge of job markets and useful resources and techniques to help you to help yourself. Coaching is similar, but may often have a specific goal in mind, for example, finding a job or starting your own business. Many guidance-qualified professionals will use coaching techniques (including me) and vice versa.
Have you ever spoken to a careers consultant, or used the services of a coach? I would love to hear your experiences by emailing hello@karunacv.com. If you would like to know more about how we can support you with your career planning, choices and job search, then get in touch – we will listen to your situation and advise on next steps (and we will never charge you until we have agreed a plan of action).
[Cover photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels]
Karuna CV 