by Trenna Sue Hiler

Created on: May 09, 2009   Last Updated: June 17, 2009

A career counselor is like a super parent for a business career. Typically people choose to use the services of a career counselor when they have been laid off, fired from a position or are doing a complete career change. The savvier employee may use a career counselor to learn how to promote and map a career within the business they are currently employed with.

This no longer means a quick little typing test. Companies are depending on aptitude tests, personality evaluations, skills tests and psychological tests. Credit scores are often a part of any new job or position consideration. A career counselor will provide these tests to the client and give counsel on how to work with other tests that may be given at any particular interview.

Practice interviews will help the client learn how to respond to unexpected questions and requests in a positive manner. For example, one large corporation asks that applicants learn a line dance as part of a group interview. It is nice to be a little prepared for something like that.

Resumes and cover letters are reviewed and critiqued.

Networking is not a skill that comes easily to everyone and a career counselor can give a job seeker information and opportunities to grow their network of associates. More and more it is not what you know, but who you know that gets the foot in the door.

Just like the name says, they also give counsel. They may give advice on clothing, life goals, job hunting techniques and all sorts of parental counsel.

Rates vary, but count on somewhere between $35 to $75 dollars per hour. Some are $100's per hour. If the company is laying off employees and offers these services be sure and take advantage of the opportunity. Often they are picking up the cost in this situation.

If an associate is looking for help in limited areas negotiate rate that will cover only the areas needed. For example, if the resume looks great, but interviewing skills are lacking. Ask for rates for interviewing skills only. Pick and choose what works for the associate, the budget and the career counselor.

One of the newer opportunities is Online Career Counseling. They can give support and testing, but nothing that is needed face to face. Again, it is a process to see what is need for each individual. On line typically allows fewer time restraints. Online Career Counseling is not good for interviewing skills or professional appearance issues.

It is at the very least worth looking into the price and exploring the options of a career counselor.

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