1. Introductory Phase
1.Introductory or the getting to know you phase.
Our first couple of sessions will be directed at finding out whether we are comfortable working together.
During this time we will also discuss such matters as what brought you to career counselling at this time, what career questions would you like addressed and hopefully answered during our sessions together, fees charged, your education and training background and any previous career assessment materials you may have. We would look at your experience of previous career counselling or career guidance and what has come out of that for you
For my part I will explain my background and experience in this field and describe the career counselling process that I use. You will then be better able to decide on the anticipated outcomes of our career counselling sessions.
Our first couple of sessions will be directed at finding out whether we are comfortable working together.
During this time we will also discuss such matters as what brought you to career counselling at this time, what career questions would you like addressed and hopefully answered during our sessions together, fees charged, your education and training background and any previous career assessment materials you may have. We would look at your experience of previous career counselling or career guidance and what has come out of that for you
For my part I will explain my background and experience in this field and describe the career counselling process that I use. You will then be better able to decide on the anticipated outcomes of our career counselling sessions.
2. Build a Picture
During this phase we will build a picture of your career history including significant life events and their impact. Also during this time we will collect and assess information not just about any previous work you have done but we will look at what you have been interested in, what in your life has really ‘grabbed’ your attention-things, even simple things you have found pleasure or satisfaction in doing and achieving. We might consider what are the things you have done which bring out the best in you. We will then explore the implications of any career decision on your life.[Three or four sessions].
3. Build the Plan
We will use the next couple of sessions to consider where we have got to and whether we have enough information to move to the next phase and if not what further work do we need to do to get us there. We would want to also examine how what we have learned can be related to past career events. We would also consider whether we are able at this point to have answered your questions about career counselling that you raised in the first phase. [One or Two sessions].
4. Review the Plan
Together we will outline options and set priorities, set preferred outcomes, develop an action plan as well as an evaluation process for that plan. This may include ongoing support over an extended period such as mentoring which some clients have found very helpful. Mentoring is a longer term support process, and this is particularly helpful for persons with Asperger’s Syndrome or other similar difficulties. Mentoring support involves our meeting regularly over an extended period of time and taking a step by step approach to reviewing our goal setting plan and maybe even adjusting it to suit the changes that we encounter along the way.
Ongoing support is an aspect of this process that some people find gives them the confidence to keep going beyond the job interview phase. The ongoing support need not be so intensive and we would negotiate a lesser rate should you, the client, wish to continue using this facility.
I believe strongly that keeping a written record of our work together provides a most valuable resource for reflection and a stepping stone to further career development.
One very important document we might cultivate is a portfolio. As we go along on your career journey it will be a collection of what you have learned about yourself, your career, your achievements and we will use this to reflect on where we have come and then present some or all of this information to a prospective employer.
Once you are ready to apply for a job we will assemble a CV or Resume for you to send to a likely employer. This CV will be specially designed to show how you are the applicant who best meets the employment needs of the person or the organisation who you anticipate will hire you.[Two to many sessions depending on what you believe you need.]
Ongoing support is an aspect of this process that some people find gives them the confidence to keep going beyond the job interview phase. The ongoing support need not be so intensive and we would negotiate a lesser rate should you, the client, wish to continue using this facility.
I believe strongly that keeping a written record of our work together provides a most valuable resource for reflection and a stepping stone to further career development.
One very important document we might cultivate is a portfolio. As we go along on your career journey it will be a collection of what you have learned about yourself, your career, your achievements and we will use this to reflect on where we have come and then present some or all of this information to a prospective employer.
Once you are ready to apply for a job we will assemble a CV or Resume for you to send to a likely employer. This CV will be specially designed to show how you are the applicant who best meets the employment needs of the person or the organisation who you anticipate will hire you.[Two to many sessions depending on what you believe you need.]