Career Guidance/Life Coach

litup

I was wondering what peoples views are on using career guidance/life coach services. Are they any use? I have found a couple of places online but they seem quite expensive if all they do is give you a personality test.

I am in my mid twenties and looking for a complete career change and so thought going to one of these guys might help point me in the right direction.

Has anyone any personal experience/recommendations? I am in the Dublin area.

dame

I think there's a big difference between a Career Guidance Counsellor and a Life Coach. The former could help you a lot but go to someone who is qualified and comes recommended by others. The latter is a big waste of time and money (a family-friend is almost finished her training and it's a complete pile of piss). You'd be much better off sitting down with an honest friend or two and having a decent chat about what's right/wrong in your life.

litup

Thanks for your reply dame. Could you (or anyone else) recommend a good career guidance counsellor in the Dublin area so?

I have talked extensively with family/friends and am still unsure as to how to go forward. In fact most people seem to think I'm mad to be leaving my current job!

delos

Apologies if you've already done this but when I made a major career move I found this very useful:

List all of your skills / traits in as general a form as possible such as organisation skills, leadership skills, IT skills, creative ability, personal strengths and personal weakness. You can make them a bit more specific / subdivide them a bit more but not too much - the idea is to get a picture of yourself that is not tied to any specific job / role. Then next to each item note one or two concrete examples of when you have used these skills / traits to good effect or how you overcame some of the negative traits. Be honest with yourself and it will give you a good idea of you strengths and weaknesses - hopefully this might suggest a career direction for you. If nothing else it will be handy for creating a new CV or applying for a promotion / justifying a pay rise.

Good luck with whatever you do anyway!

litup

Thanks delos, I will try out what you suggested. I have already done some of this, but not as structured as you suggest and certainly not with specific examples. Hopefully it may make things clearer.

I would still really like a recommendation of a good career guidance counsellor if anyone knows of one. I think it may be the best way to ensure my next career move will stick.

Eoin

litup wrote:

I would still really like a recommendation of a good career guidance counsellor if anyone knows of one. I think it may be the best way to ensure my next career move will stick.

Did you ever get any details on this? My wife would also like to talk to someone about changing careers.

MargeS

Me too! I'm needing a change badly, if I don't change soon I reckon my family will have me committed and I'm not being facetious!
Is there anyone in the west that does career guidance?

nozilla

litup wrote:

Thanks for your reply dame. Could you (or anyone else) recommend a good career guidance counsellor in the Dublin area so?

I have talked extensively with family/friends and am still unsure as to how to go forward. In fact most people seem to think I'm mad to be leaving my current job!

I'm in a situation where I have come back from working abroad and I would love to do something different. I have spoken to friends and family but as you have already said I too am still very unsure of what I would like to do.

For the moment I'm taking time out as I want to sort this out once and for all, I don't want to have to get a job doing what I'm qualified in as I know that I'll get too wrapped up in work and I'll just put this on the long finger.

If anyone knows of a good counsellor anywhere in the country please let us know.

Thanks

litup

Nobody ever got back to me on this so I can't give you any help, sorry! I just accepted a new job so had stopped looking myself.

Someone did suggest to me ringing the carrers office of your local college/uni and asking if they did private consultations.

Eoin

I found this place: http://www.careermatters.ie/services.htm I know nothing about them, but could be a runner.

another alternative (not a great one, but at least it's free) would be to arrange a meeting with a good - it's all relative - recruitment company and perhaps they can look at your transferable skills and see if they can recommend something.

litup - did you change career with the new job?