ACCESSIBLE CAREER CHANGE COACHING

  • HOME
  • PATHFINDER
  • MASTERCLASS
  • COACHING
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • LOGIN
Naomi Rothwell-Boyd, February 20 2023

Career Advice and Guidance: Navigating Your Career Change with Confidence

Navigating a career change can be daunting and overwhelming. Figuring out where to start, and what queries you should be posing yourself, can often prove the most challenging part of a career transition. That’s why having access to reliable, professional advice and guidance on how best to make that transition is so important - but it's not always easy finding good sources of career advice.

From asking the right questions, understanding what options are available, or learning how to evaluate potential roles; there’s lots you need consider when making a big decision like this. In our blog post today we'll explore all aspects of career advice and guidance – from knowing who (and where) to turn for help through to exploring key areas such as self-assessment tools, job market analysis techniques, interview prep tips & more.

Uncover how to change your career today with our quick assessment quiz even if you don't know where to start - TRY PATHFINDER NOW

What Is Career Advice And Guidance?

Careers advice and career guidance is a type of professional assistance that helps individuals make informed decisions about their career paths. Career advice and guidance can involve a range of services, from recognising potential job openings to aiding in the acquisition of the competencies necessary for success. Career coaches offer careers advice and invaluable insights into the job landscape, present-day patterns, and accessible tools to aid you in attaining your aspirations.

Where Can You Get Career Advice?

When it comes to guidance on professional paths, a variety of resources are available. It’s important to take the time to find a source that is reliable and trustworthy. Here are some of the best places to get career advice:

1. Career Coaches:

Working with a certified career coach can provide personalised guidance tailored specifically for you based on your unique goals and objectives. A good coach will help you identify potential opportunities in line with your interests and abilities while also providing support throughout the entire process of transitioning into a new role or industry if needed.

2. Mentors:

Having access to someone who has already achieved success in their chosen field can be invaluable when it comes to getting career advice because they have “been there done that” so they know what works (and what doesn't). Mentors don't just give advice; they act as sounding boards which allows them to provide honest feedback on ideas or strategies without judgement or bias - something that is difficult for family members or friends do since they usually want us succeed no matter what.

3. Online Resources & Blogs:

The internet provides countless careers advice resources at our fingertips which makes researching any topic easier than ever before – including careers. There are plenty of blogs written by experts offering tips on how best approach different aspects of job hunting like resumes, interviews etc., as well as online forums where people share their experiences looking for jobs in certain industries/locations etc Additionally, websites like Glassdoor allow users search through company reviews posted by current/former employees so one can get an idea of what working conditions might be like before applying for a position at said company.

Attending conferences related directly or indirectly to your field gives attendees access not only to knowledge but also connections with influential individuals within those respective industries which could potentially lead to more doors opening up down the road. Furthermore, these events typically feature keynote speakers who discuss topics relevant to today's workforce making them great learning opportunities as well.

From mentors to career coaches, there are many resources available for getting helpful advice on navigating a career change. But what queries should you make to get the most out of these talks? Let's explore some tips and strategies for getting the best out of your career advice.

Key Takeaway: No matter where you are in your career journey, seeking advice from experienced professionals, mentors, and utilising online resources can help to provide the guidance needed for successful navigation.

What Career Advice To Ask For?

When pondering career advice, it is imperative to ascertain what queries are pertinent. Career coaches can furnish invaluable guidance and discernment into the job market, so inquiring the correct queries will assist you to obtain the maximum from your meetings. Here are some key questions to consider when consulting with a career coach:

What experience do you have in my field? Grasping a mentor's expertise in your area can give you an insight into how well they recognise and comprehend your aims. Ask for details about their background and any relevant certifications or qualifications they may possess.

How familiar are you with current trends in my field? It’s important that your coach understands current trends within your industry as this knowledge could be beneficial when helping you make decisions about potential jobs or careers paths. Ask them if they stay up-to-date on changes within the sector and how often they review new developments.

What tactics do you utilise to support individuals in securing employment? Every career coach has different methods for helping clients find employment opportunities, so it’s essential that you understand their approach before committing to working together. Ask them which techniques they use such as resume building, networking tips, interview preparation or other resources available for job seekers like online courses or workshops.

Do I need additional training/education before pursuing certain roles? Depending on where someone is at in their professional journey there may be certain skillsets needed prior to applying for certain positions or roles within an organisation. A good career coach should be able to advise whether additional education would benefit a client's chances of success when transitioning into a new role by providing information on relevant courses or certifications that could increase employability prospects

Asking about communication expectations is always wise since having consistent contact with a good career advisor can ensure progress towards achieving desired outcomes faster than without support over time. Find out how often meetings will take place, either virtually via video conferencing software such as Zoom, Skype etc., telephone calls, emails etc., depending on individual preferences and availability. Additionally, inquire if there are any follow-up activities assigned after each session.

When pondering a job switch, posing the proper inquiries is critical. To ensure you're gaining the most beneficial counsel for your particular circumstances, it's essential to investigate which queries to pose and how to interpret those replies. Let's take a look at some of the most helpful career advice questions that can help guide you in making an informed decision.

Key Takeaway: It is critical to inquire of a career coach their familiarity with your profession, the current state of the industry, methods for securing employment and whether supplementary instruction or qualifications are essential. 

What Career Advice Questions To Ask Yourself

When pondering a job transition, the best counsel is to initiate by posing yourself some introspective queries. Doing so can help you gain clarity on what type of job or career path would be most fulfilling for you. Here are some key questions to ask yourself when considering a career change:

What do I enjoy doing? What am I passionate about? Contemplating your interests and passions may enable you to discover potential new directions that are compatible with your ambitions and values. Consider activities that bring you joy, such as hobbies or volunteer work. Think about how these activities could translate into professional roles or industries.

What skills do I have? Make an itemisation of the capacities and encounters that make up your current aptitude set. This includes both hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (interpersonal qualities). Listing out each one will give you a better understanding of which jobs might be suitable for someone with your background and qualifications.

What kind of atmosphere do I wish to be in while working? When exploring different types of careers, think about the kind of workplace culture that appeals to you most—do prefer working independently or collaboratively? Do you like being part of a large team or smaller group setting? Knowing this information ahead of time can help narrow down potential job opportunities based on company size, industry, etc

Do my values match those at my prospective employer(s)? It’s important to research companies before applying for any positions they may have available; this way, you’ll know if their core values line up with yours beforehand. If not, then it’s probably best not pursue them further since there won't likely be much alignment between both parties in terms long-term success and satisfaction within the role itself.

Contemplating the right queries is essential to discovering a career route that fits your necessities and ambitions. Taking the time to reflect on these can help you make an informed decision about what direction to take next, so let's explore what advice experts recommend for making this important transition.

Key Takeaway: Reflect on your interests, passions and skills to identify potential career paths that align with your values and goals; research prospective employers to ensure their core values match yours for a successful transition.

What Is The Best Career Advice?

The best career advice is the advice that is tailored to each individual. No single solution is applicable for everyone when it comes to finding success in a new career, as each individual's situation and ambitions are distinct. Seeking out the counsel of a knowledgeable mentor or coach to gain individualised guidance on how to achieve one's professional objectives is an optimal approach for any job seeker looking for career advancement.

When seeking out career advice, it’s important to ask questions about your current skillset and experience as well as your future aspirations. Questions such as “What do I need to do in order to achieve my goals?” and “How can I leverage my existing skills and experiences?” will help you gain clarity on how best move forward with your plans. Additionally, posing queries such as "What do I have a passion for?" and "In what kind of atmosphere would I be most contented?" can aid in focusing on potential choices based on your personal enthusiasm.

It's also beneficial to research different industries that interest you before making any decisions regarding a possible career change. Gleaning an appreciation of the sector's trends, hurdles, openings and more can grant you a sense of whether this specific area could be suitable for your future. Additionally, talking with professionals already working within the industry can provide valuable information about day-to-day operations which could prove useful when determining if this path is something worth pursuing further.

Key Takeaway: Investigate varied sectors and ponder your interests, likes, and dislikes to uncover the career that fits you best.

FAQs

What Is The Best Career Advice When You Don't Know What To Do Next?

Career advice can be confusing when you don't know what to do next, but the best thing to do is start by taking one step at a time. Begin by listing out your strengths and weaknesses, and focus on the skills that you have. Once you have identified these skills, start exploring different career paths and research opportunities available in those fields. You can also reach out to professionals in these areas for advice and insights. 

Take some time to reflect on yourself - ask yourself thoughtful questions such as what motivates you, what kind of environment helps you thrive, and how much money are willing to make. Doing this will give you a better sense of direction and help you find the right career path for yourself.

Is The Best Career Advice Do What You Love?

The often-quoted phrase "Do what you love" can be misleading when considering career advice. While it is true that finding a job that makes you happy and fulfilled is essential, it's also important to remember that not all jobs are equal in terms of pay and opportunity. 

So while it's important to find something that makes you passionate, it's also wise to weigh the practical aspects as well such as salary and benefits. Doing what you love in a way that takes into account the reality of the job market can help you achieve both success and happiness.

What Is The Career Advice No One Tells You?

There is plenty of advice out there, much of it the same. But I find the most under-discussed issues are that networking gets more important the older you are; your CV is just an advert; interviewing skills are key; and always negotiate your first offer.

Uncover how to change your career today with our quick assessment quiz even if you don't know where to start - TRY PATHFINDER NOW

Conclusion

No matter if you get aid from an expert or do your own investigation, it's essential to pose the correct inquiries and comprehend what sort of counsel is most appropriate for you. Remember that no two individuals are alike in their career trajectories, so be sure to source the counsel which is most beneficial for you. With the right information, support, and resources, you can confidently navigate any career transition with success.

Author: Naomi Rothwell-Boyd

Naomi is the founder of Tribe And Seek and an EMCC and CIPD accredited career coach specialising in career change. 

Her career advice comes from her work alongside ex-olympic athletes supporting corporate clients like Kraft Heinz, and creating leadership courses at the Duke Of Edinburgh's Award.

She also left a previous career in international development consulting behind, where she led UK corporate fundraising at Habitat For Humanity.

Written by

Naomi Rothwell-Boyd

Tags

Previous Is The Best Career Advice Do What You Love? What Else Should You Consider?
Next Where Can I Find Career Advice That Will Help Me Today?