Navigating a career path can be something that students and employees might need help with throughout their lives. Many organizations offer formal programs that can help people identify their goals and overcome their unique challenges. Learning about these offerings can help you identify if you might benefit from formal coaching and assistance.In this article, we discuss what career guidance is and share key details about it like who benefits from it, where you can find it and what its elements are.

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What is career guidance?

Career guidance is a formal way for people to receive advice on their career at different stages. Along with this advice, this process often involves formal programs that help people both plan and execute any decisions they make in their career. Professionals in career development often create generalized programs or custom programs for individuals to help each person through these changes.

Who benefits from getting career guidance?

There are several people who can benefit from key guidance:

Mid-level career workers

Mid-level career workers are people that might have worked for the same company or in the same role for several years. They may have received one or several promotions throughout their careers, but they hope to expand into roles with more responsibilities or earn more money. Career guidance can help these individuals how they might earn promotions, work better with their colleagues and manage stress. Often, mid-level career workers might not want to change roles but hope to improve their current performance.

Job seekers

Job seekers at various stages can pursue career guidance. When applying for jobs, people might want to learn where they can search for the best opportunities, how they can improve their resume or cover letter and how they can network better. As job search strategies change often with technology, they can help coach you on the tools and processes you can implement to contact employers effectively. When interviewing, career counselors can also provide you with tips on how you can impress hiring managers.

People thinking about changing careers

Career guidance can help people who hope to change careers from one industry or company to another. Counselors can help people identify the skills they have that they may transfer to other roles. You might also review several job descriptions with a career counselor to understand the requirements of your ideal job. They can then help you identify what education, certification or skills you might need to pursue this career and who you might contact to start networking.

People who lost jobs

Career guidance can help those who lost their jobs. Along with job search strategies, they may assist you with strategies to manage your financial situation while searching for new jobs, like applying for unemployment and finding quality healthcare. Some places offer low-cost career guidance to ensure this help you receive is still within your budget if you’re not working.