Finding the best career consultant can be a daunting task. They often have different styles and charge vastly different prices. What is the difference? We are here to answer this question for you and make your choice easier!
We have put together a list of valuable information on how to choose the best consultants, as well as what types of things they offer. We have interviewed several college graduates and career counselors, who offer us the best advice possible. Here is what we have found!
- Who is my target audience?
This is an essential question. Career consultants are often generalized as big, scary individuals who are just there to take your money and not help you. The truth is that it’s all about the consultant’s experience. Most of them have many years of experience and have worked with hundreds of clients, so they know what to look for and how to help you out of sticky situations. So even if the target audience is not what you expected, do not be afraid!
- The consultant’s education and experience
Right from the start, it is important to know what the staff members have attended. If the consultant has attended a specific program like Columbia I-Corps, that is good. If they have been to business schools, that’s also great! But if they only attended a few schools and are looking for a job in your industry, then you need to move on.
Experience is important. Many colleges give students the option to become career counselors or career counselors in training. This is a great way to get experience and job offers, so if you see that the staff member has this title, then the chances you have a great chance of finding him/her helpful are higher.
The next logical question is: What experience does he/she have? Again, many career counselors have worked on hundreds of people’s careers, so they know what they are doing. It is not mandatory, but it is recommended to have at least five years of experience.
In the end, you need to make sure that the consultant is from your industry and not just someone you found on a random website. It would be best if he/she was an alumni or has been working in your company for a long time.
- What will I get from this person?
Career counselors and career coaches have different styles of work. Some of them do not want to coach you while they interview you, while others give you the freedom to talk and help you through each step. It is their style how they work and how they can help you. You must find out what works best for you, as we all have a different way of approaching a problem.
- How does the consultant get paid?
An important part is to find out how fees will be charged and how much you will pay for each session. These are two questions that you need to make sure you ask! If you are paying a set amount for each session and it is non-negotiable, then there is no difference between someone who charges $50 and someone who charges $1,000 per hour.
This is where our list comes in handy! There are many factors that will decide if your consultant is the right choice for you or not.