A career development centre can be a service, or a group of programs that provides people with any level of education, whether they are undergraduate, a graduate, or an alumni, to plan for or deal with career transitions that inevitably arise in the life of any person. Each career development centre will have a career counsellor even though the centres may operate differently. All career counsellors provide guidance through personal interaction.

We spend nearly 100,000 hours in our lifetime working. Wouldn’t life be different if you loved your work, rather than dreading Monday mornings? How could life be different if you felt energized in your current job or your next career move, so energized that work did not feel like work anymore?Whether you are currently working or in transition looking for your next job opportunity you do not want to miss this special briefing – a briefing that will change the way you approach work forever.If today’s turbulent job market is creating roadblocks for you that you cannot seem to overcome no matter how hard you try, you’ve done everything and still can’t find the job or career you want, or you are concerned that the next job you take you will just result in another layoff before you know it, then you MUST plan to attend next week’s invitation-only event!In this exclusive briefing on Tuesday, June 28th, 2009 at 7pm, we will share with you some critical insights into: * How you can identify your true work passion * How and why you must consider yourself self employed and manage your career that way even if you work for someone else * How you can overcome the challenges created by the recent economy and still capture top dollar for your talents * How living your passion will significantly increase your sense of financial freedom * Why you cannot afford to wait and must start taking action now due to the changing landscape of the workforce * The art of the job search has changed – how you can uncover the majority of the new opportunities that are never advertised anywhere * The power of your personal brand and its impact on your career success * How to not let fear stop you, replacing it with a mentality of limitless possibilities. * And More…..The fact that you are reading this, means you are ready for a change. 90% of Americans are trapped in unfulfilling careers, find out how the other 10% are living the art of bringing work to life. Visit http://www.integritycareertransitions.com/featured/seminar/careertransformation.htm to know more about Integrity Career Transitions and to join the career transformation teleseminar.

A career development centre can be a service, or a group of programs that provides people with any level of education, whether they are undergraduate, a graduate, or an alumni, to plan for or deal with career transitions that inevitably arise in the life of any person. Each career development centre will have a career counsellor even though the centres may operate differently. All career counsellors provide guidance through personal interaction.

We spend nearly 100,000 hours in our lifetime working. Wouldn’t life be different if you loved your work, rather than dreading Monday mornings? How could life be different if you felt energized in your current job or your next career move, so energized that work did not feel like work anymore?Whether you are currently working or in transition looking for your next job opportunity you do not want to miss this special briefing – a briefing that will change the way you approach work forever.If today’s turbulent job market is creating roadblocks for you that you cannot seem to overcome no matter how hard you try, you’ve done everything and still can’t find the job or career you want, or you are concerned that the next job you take you will just result in another layoff before you know it, then you MUST plan to attend next week’s invitation-only event!In this exclusive briefing on Tuesday, June 28th, 2009 at 7pm, we will share with you some critical insights into: * How you can identify your true work passion * How and why you must consider yourself self employed and manage your career that way even if you work for someone else * How you can overcome the challenges created by the recent economy and still capture top dollar for your talents * How living your passion will significantly increase your sense of financial freedom * Why you cannot afford to wait and must start taking action now due to the changing landscape of the workforce * The art of the job search has changed – how you can uncover the majority of the new opportunities that are never advertised anywhere * The power of your personal brand and its impact on your career success * How to not let fear stop you, replacing it with a mentality of limitless possibilities. * And More…..The fact that you are reading this, means you are ready for a change. 90% of Americans are trapped in unfulfilling careers, find out how the other 10% are living the art of bringing work to life. Visit http://www.integritycareertransitions.com/featured/seminar/careertransformation.htm to know more about Integrity Career Transitions and to join the career transformation teleseminar.

Someone I’ll call “Gloria” told me this story:
“At a recent potluck dinner, my friend Brian brought a six-pack of his special cider. We had more beverages than we needed. At the end of the evening, Brian went into the refrigerator and grabbed his untouched cider. He took it home.
“Our hostess, Nancy, was furious. She wrote Brian a strong email, claiming he had insulted her”
My sympathies are with Brian. To me, a potluck means you bring a contribution to the party, not a gift for the hostess. And I avoid those events whenever possible.
So…what’s the relevance for careers?
Clients often call me when they’re puzzled by events in a new job (“Why would I be asked to edit this report when I’m a senior manager?”). Or maybe they’ve got a new employee and they’re tearing their hair out, wondering, “Why would anyone skip a meeting when we specifically said attendance was expected?” And more.
It’s all about fitting into a new environment — whether you’re new to a job, career or even service where you’re the customer.
(1) Don’t get mad — get inquisitive.
A prospective client asked if I could edit some content. I explained that I don’t do editing. I don’t tweak other people’s words, commas and paragraphs.
But I discovered she used the word “editing” to mean “writing copy starting with a written discussion of our target market.”
So “edit” might be a polite way of saying, “This report is worthless. Just start over.”
And some folks distinguish between “expected” and “required.”
(2) Study the lunchtime lingo.
Groups have norms about teasing, dressing up, initiating conversations, writing memos and lunch.
Some people see an invitation to lunch as the closest thing to a marriage proposal, especially if a male invites a female or vice versa. (I wish I were kidding.)
Some groups have norms about bringing lunch, eating out, and skipping lunch to work out.
I once heard about a department where bringing your lunch meant you had taken yourself off the fast track. I heard about another where nobody ate at all: the “in” crowd went running. A consulting firm took seriously the maxim of “Never eat lunch alone.” Associates were expected to sacrifice their waist lines by taking clients to lunch several times a week. I suspect doggie bags were a big no-no.
If these issues are important, you can usually find out before you get hired.
But if you really hate meetings, you might get a pass by feigning ignorance. When asked why you didn’t show, you say, “I though ‘expected’ meant ‘lightly suggested.’ So I skipped the meeting and took a client to lunch.”
Use at your own risk…once.
(3) Avoid the old-timer trap.
Every time I changed jobs, even in the same career field, even in universities with similar structures, I bumped up against new cultures.
What do you ask the admin staff to do? Where do you get coffee (and when)? And if you miss a meeting or turn down a lunch offer, are you branding yourself as a maverick?
Inevitably I made mistakes. And I watched other newcomers do the same.
The reasons were innocent. If you’ve asked a staff assistant to make copies or calls for the last 5 years, you’ll automatically do the same at your new job. You probably won’t even stop to wonder, “Should I do this?” unless you’ve been made aware that customs might vary in that particular area.
But old-timers (who can’t imagine any other way either) tend to assume the worst. When I became an old-timer (or at least a medium-timer), colleagues would ask rhetorically, “Who does he think he is?”
It took awhile, but over the years I learned to say, “He thinks he is a lost, confused newcomer. Let’s explain that we need to go have coffee and it’s a non-negotiable right now.”
Returning to the potluck example: I suspect Brian’s friends always took home the leftovers — their own and maybe everyone else’s. It never crossed his mind to leave his cider in someone else’s refrigerator.
That’s my own favorite part of a potluck. The folks who know how to cook never want leftovers. More for me.

With thousands of workers being laid off, the competition for jobs should be strong. A career counselor may be able to help people become more focused and strategic about their job search.Most people would probably rather get a root canal than hunt for a new job. Whether a person has been downsized, is changing careers, or just wants to find a better opportunity, hunting for a job can be frustrating and intimidating. And since more than 230,000 people have lost their jobs this year, the competition for employment is likely to be fierce. People who want to increase their odds for getting hired may want to consider finding a career counselor.What Career Counselors DoCareer counselors can help people evaluate their skills and abilities to find a job that fits their goals and interests. They serve as coaches, teachers, and mentors to people with all different types of job experience. A qualified counselor should be able to assess a client’s traits and abilities to help direct them to an appropriate position. They also should be good listeners who can communicate well with people who may be dealing with a lot of stress and uncertainty about their job situation–and life in general.

Some career counselors may have a degree in counseling or a related field, but others may have experience in a particular field that gives them the expertise to help others. A master career counselor usually has the highest level of expertise in career counseling and has met other qualifications, such as being licensed by a state board.

Who Should Consider Counseling?Not everyone looking to change jobs needs to see a career counselor. But people who aren’t sure where they’re headed in their careers and need help focusing may benefit from working with a coach. Workers who are thinking about getting help with their career should ask themselves:

1. Am I satisfied with my current job?2. What do I like or dislike about my current job?3. How can I improve my current job?4. Do I have the work-life balance I want?5. What are my short- and long-term goals for my career?6. What other jobs can I qualify for with my skills?

Downsized in AmericaPeople who haven’t had to look for a job in many years may be ill-equipped for their search and may be perfect candidates for career counseling. Companies all across America are cutting jobs, forcing many workers to dust off outdated resumes. A qualified counselor can help put together a resume, practice interviewing techniques, administer assessment tests, or evaluate new career paths. The right coach can help a person evaluate jobs they’ve never considered that may allow them to use their current skills.

Changing CareersFor people who are looking for a whole new career, a counselor can help them decide whether they have the necessary skills or need to continue their education. Some people may find that the type of work they’ve been doing has become obsolete. Many unskilled workers have found themselves forced out of jobs that can be done by a computer or a machine. A good career counselor should listen to workers’ needs and assess their strengths and weaknesses to help them transition to a new career. That may mean directing clients to places they can learn about new technology or employment trends in fields that interest them.

Getting EncouragementRichard Nelson Bolles writes in What Color Is Your Parachute? 2008: A Practical Manual for Job-hunters and Career-Changers that “Researchers discovered some years ago that while the typical job-hunt lasted around fifteen to nineteen weeks, depending on the economy, one-third to one-half of all job-hunters simply give up by the second month of their job-hunt.” Having the support of a career counselor may help some people stay focused on their job search and not become easily discouraged. The right coach can also redirect job-hunting efforts that have stalled or become unproductive.

Moving to the Next LevelAlways being passed over for promotions is like going to a spring fling and never being asked to dance. It’s no fun! Workers who are having trouble advancing in their career may need some help figuring out exactly what they need to do differently to get noticed by higher ups. For some people it may be as simple as taking a few courses to learn necessary skills. Others may need advice from a career coach on how to dress, talk, or act more professionally.

Setting Career GoalsCounselors can also be helpful if people just want to make sure they are setting the right goals for their career. They may not be looking to change companies, but may be more concerned about protecting their future job security. A person who hasn’t bothered to keep abreast of changes in their industry, learn new skills, or network with influential peers are more likely to fall under the downsizing axe than someone who has worked to remain competitive.

Choosing the Right CounselorIt’s important for people to find a career counselor that fits their goals and is reputable. A good counselor should:

1. Disclose the terms of their service and fees upfront2. Provide a copy of their ethical guidelines3. Charge only for services provided4. Let clients choose the services they want5. Not make unrealistic promises.

They should also discuss what type of time commitment clients should expect to make to their counseling sessions and job-hunting strategies.

While career counselors can be helpful they may not have all the answers. They can help individuals assess their strengths and weaknesses to choose a career that fits their unique goals and needs. Like any other counseling relationship, it may take more than one try to find the right person. People looking for a career coach can check with their former employer, local job centers, universities, alumni groups, churches, and other organizations for recommendations.

Today, it is fairly common to have people changing careers more than once. In fact, there are people who choose careers that are entirely different from those that they have previously held before. There will come a point when you will have to consider a career change, so it is a good idea to know about career development beforehand. Of course, you don’t have to change jobs just to have career advancement. You can make it your goal to climb the ranks in the same company.

Working on Your Career Development

Career development is actually a path that helps you choose the career that you would like to pursue. It includes all the various steps that you would have to undertake in order to advance in your chosen career.

The concept of career development basically includes testing your stress management capabilities and your inherent skills. If you want to have a better shot at some career that you would particularly like to pursue, you need to make sure that you do well at the present position you hold. You should take the opportunity to enrich your knowledge and develop your capabilities. These things will influence the success of your career development. You can’t afford to resent your present job because this will not help you advance in your career. Learn to love your job and embrace the responsibilities attached to it. You would have better chances of succeeding.

Educate Yourself and Strengthen Your Chances

Once you have determined the career development path that you would like to pursue, you can then direct your attention to preparing for it. You need to educate yourself. You will strengthen your chances of succeeding if you take up classes, join seminars or undergo training sessions.

There are many colleges, institutes, schools and universities that are offering career development courses. In fact, there are courses for practically every career that is out there. You will even find these courses online. This is perfect if you can’t afford to go to regular classes.

To advance in your chosen career, you need to show to people that you are dependable. You need to show that you are a trustworthy employee who is capable of producing quality work. To do this, you need to strengthen your knowledge, skills and capabilities. Career development is a continual process of learning and working. Therefore, it is very important that you know what you are getting yourself into. You need to be committed to it. It will help if you choose a job that you would enjoy. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have a shot at succeeding.

Creating a Career Development Plan

You need to plan your career growth if you want to keep track of your progress. This will also help you analyze your aspirations and motivations. Successful individuals do not just develop a plan for promotions or salary raises. They look beyond these things and create an entire plan for career development or advancement.

A career development plan is something that should be done continuously. You cannot just focus on specific goals. You need to be continually reviewing and revising your plan if needed. This way, you can easily keep track of changes or improvements. You won’t be confined to anything. You will keep your options open and you will have more shot at succeeding.

To start off, you need to make sure that you have practicalities covered. You need to have an updated resume at all times. This is just the practical aspect of your plan. What is important is your vision for yourself. Regardless of whether you are pursuing a career goal in the same company or you are looking for change of career, you need to make sure that you know what you want.

There are a lot of things that you need to take into consideration, so make sure that you have considered everything before you start making your “things to do” list. You should have considered the things that could hinder your progress. You should have determined the driving force behind your career choice. You should also know what can motivate you to succeed.

If you want to succeed in your choice of career, you should prepare for it. You should equip yourself with the knowledge and skills required for it. You should also create a career development plan to guide you to succeed.

You’re ready to make a big career change. You really want to get going. But youre held back by fear. So you wait…and wait.
Fear leads to paralysis. Then you start what psychologists call “catastrophizing:” imagining the worst that can happen, then magnifying the consequences till you’re predicting a major, irreversible disaster.
Then you feel even more fear…you do nothing…so you feel even more fear. You’re tempted to go hide in the closet, maybe forever.
Career change begins by breaking the fear cycle. Here are 3 steps to start.
(1) Recognize the consequences of doing nothing.
You really hate your job and you’re long overdue for a change. But you like the security of a pay check. Maybe you have family (and dogs) depending on you.
Hang on long enough and you’ll probably start sabotaging your own security. You’ll find yourself making dumb mistakes, missing deadlines, losing important documents and more.
Some people handle this sort of thing better than others. Some live for 20 years with jobs they despise with no outward appearance of problems. My theory is
(a) you just don’t see what’s going on: doctor visits, anti-depressants, stomach trouble, family grief, or more;
(b) they don’t hate their job as much as they say; or
(c) they were born with a certain temperament with high tolerance for frustration.
(2) Do some reality testing.
‘What’s the worst that can happen?’ is a good first question. Once you have the answer you can often create plans to cover your worst case scenario.
Here’s where a career coach can help: not someone who administers a handful of tests, but someone who knows the ins and outs of careers.
(3) Take a small 10-minute step.
What should you do? It doesn’t matter. Take just 10 minutes to deal with your frustration.
Action means getting off the couch. It doesn’t include introspection (“what do I really want”), reciting mantras and affirmations (although you can do that too) or talking to friends on the phone. It doesn’t mean reading books and surfing the Internet for more ideas.
Examples of action include phone calls to people who can help (such as experienced professionals in your field), attending meaningful networking events (not mechanically attending lunches), and meeting contacts for coffee.
If you can’t think of a single action step, or you’re taking steps but aren’t seeing results, find a professional who can help. The sooner you get moving, the faster your fear will dissipate and the faster you’ll find yourself in a good space.
Just one note. Sometimes you’ve just been through a traumatic experience: a death of someone close to, the loss of a career you loved, break-up of a relationship, sale of a business or loss of your biggest customer. Any of these experiences require time for recovery.
Each person will handle loss differently: formulas (even the famous Kubler-Ross stages) do not apply to everyone.
In my experience, it’s best to wait 30 days before making any big moves or taking any significant risks. But at some point, you really do have to get off the couch and spring into action.