How a career development professional can help you

Get a helping hand with your career

Talking to a qualified professional can help you gain career development skills to use throughout your life, as you experience changes in your situation, society and the economy. The skills you can gain include:

Exploring:

• what you want your life to be and the balanced role that work can play in a happy life;
• your personal qualities, values and beliefs and how these could align with the type of work you would like to do; 
• your levels of motivation, curiosity, confidence and resilience in taking the next step and how to increase these if necessary; 
• your current interests, skills, knowledge and experiences and how these can be developed to meet the demands of work roles; 
• the labour market opportunities available both now and in the future;
• how to find and evaluate information and support for your career development;
• the learning and training needed for work roles and which you would prefer; 
• your current situation, any challenges you may have and how to overcome these.

Deciding

• on a course of action which is justifiable and realistic and for which you have the motivation and confidence to take the next steps;
• with whom you could connect to help make your plans a reality and create opportunities.

Where to get careers guidance

In education

Schools, colleges and university careers teams provide support to students - and many universities continue that support after graduation.

Public careers services 

Each UK nation has a public careers service that can provide support to those outside education. You can find further information for each service here:

• England: National Careers Service - https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
• Scotland: Skills Development Scotland - https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/what-we-do/scotlands-careers-services
• Wales: Careers Wales - https://careerswales.gov.wales/
• Northern Ireland: Careers Service  - https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/careers

From a private career development professional

There are many career development professionals across the UK and internationally who work with clients from all walks of life. When looking for someone to help with your career, it is important to ensure they are properly qualified to provide guidance. Practitioners who have undertaken an accredited qualification in career development have an in-depth understanding of theory and practice, supported by research and ongoing professional development.

The UK Register of Career Development Professionals lists people who are qualified to at least graduate level to provide careers advice and guidance to people of all ages and from all communities. Many of them also specialise in supporting people with specific characteristics or from certain communities and backgrounds.

They can inspire you by;

• enabling you to consider your circumstances, values and aspirations; 
• confront any challenges; 
• strengthen motivation; 
• build resilience, confidence and curiosity; 
• develop new perspectives; 
• learn about relevant careers, jobs and the labour market; 
• justify your thinking and be happy with the plan that you make to achieve your career goal.

Find qualified career development professionals to support you: UK Register of Career Development Professionals

Employers and the voluntary sector

Some employers provide careers coaching and support for staff so ask your HR department what support may be available. Also, there are many charities and voluntary organisations who provide careers support to target groups. You can find these online.