There's plenty of resources available to support you. Here's how you can leverage them to achieve your goals:
Personalised Career Guidance: Schedule one-to-one sessions with a professional career development coach to develop a tailored job search strategy. They will help you identify your strengths, explore career paths, and create a roadmap.
Make The Most of Your CV and Network: Attend interactive workshops on CV writing, optimising your LinkedIn profile, and effective networking. Learn how to stand out in a crowded job market and make meaningful connections that can lead to new opportunities.
Insider Insights: Join industry-specific panels featuring hiring managers and successful professionals. Ask questions, gain valuable insights, and understand what employers are looking for in candidates.
Find a Mentor: Connect with experienced professionals in your target field through mentorship programs. Gain advice, learn from their experiences, and build a network of supportive allies who can help guide your career.
Upskill and Reskill: Enroll in skill-building courses to enhance your qualifications and close skill gaps identified by employers. Staying ahead of the curve makes you a more attractive candidate.
Job Search Mastery: Get practical assistance with tailoring CVs, crafting compelling cover letters, and preparing for interviews. Practice your pitch, refine your skills, and increase your confidence.
Specialised Support: Explore specialised employment programs designed for recent graduates, career changers, or those re-entering the workforce. These programs often provide additional resources and support tailored to your specific needs.
Today's work landscape is more complex than ever, and career development professionals are trained to use their expertise, knowledge and experience to help you understand yourself and the career pathway that will suit you best.
A professional career development practitioner offers:
Proven skills and expert up-to-date know-how on education and work opportunities and trends
Access to a wider career development network
Professional approach underpinned by a strong code of ethics
Career development support is called many different things - career coaching, career guidance, career advising and career counselling - but like many things in life it's more complicated than it appears and a professional careers adviser can support you in a structured and strategic way.
You can seek support from Jobcentre Plus or these government-funded organisations:
England: National Careers Service.
Scotland: Skills Development Scotland
Wales: Career Wales
If you’re being made redundant, you may have access to outplacement support via your employer.
Certain charities offer employment support for the specific cohorts that they are set up to serve. Professional bodies can also provide career development support.
You may decide to seek support privately by investing in career coaching, outplacement or similar services, such as CV writing. It’s very important to research providers and their offers thoroughly, so you are clear on their qualifications, credentials and how their services could help you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and shop around until you find a service that suits you.
Ideally, any career development professional you see should be registered with the CDI or affiliated with another appropriate professional body.