Career Counselor Job Description

Most students are very confused when they complete their graduation because there are many fields out there and it may overwhelm them. At such overwhelming times it is very difficult to make the right career choice. And hence, seeking an experts advice before one finalizes the decision is important. Apart from this, many experienced people who wish to change their job but do not really have a fair idea about the job market also need to make the right choice. And this is where a professional career counselor personnel comes into play. A career counselor assists an individual in choosing the career that will not only pay well but will also provide job satisfaction utilizing the inert talents and key skills.

Career counselors play different roles in different settings. For example, the role of a career counselor in school may differ from the one that is in the company or rehabilitation center, etc. But some core career counseling job duties remain the same in all the settings.

Job Description

Career counselors not only have to work with young people looking for a job but also with people who are looking for change in the career or people who are having problems at work place. So, in short anybody who is not sure or happy about his or her current career status can seek help from professional career counselors. Given below are some of the basic duties that every career counselor has to fulfill.

• Analyzing the overall background of an individual after listening to his problems, issues, and queries.
• Maintaining the register, paperwork, and documents related to clients.
• Assessing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of an individual and suggesting the right career choices for him or her.
• In case of school settings, advising students about college majors, admission requirements, entrance exams, and financial aid, etc.
• Designing and conducting various aptitude tests, skills tests, and personality assessments for clients.
• Assisting the clients to take decisions about their career and helping them in the job search process.
• Help clients enhance their job search skills and preparing them for the interviews and meetings.
• Being updated with new career fields and recent changes in the job market.

Basically, a career counselor has to analyze the whole background of the client then come up with suitable job options as per the abilities and key skills possessed by the client, and later discuss the job openings and nature of the career and help the client make the right career choice.

Education and Skills Requirements

You may have realized the kind of qualities that a career counselor should have. First of all he or she must have a good approachable personality coupled with impeccable communication skills. He must also be a patient listener with great analytical ability. He or she must be able to understand the needs of the client and provide the required moral support to the client to make the right career choice.

Generally, a bachelor's degree is enough to get good entry-level job opportunities. But for better profiles, it is essential to have a master's degree in counseling with a specialization in the relevant industry. In some countries, private career counselors need to acquire a license in order to practice. Apart from this, some counselors can get certifications from national authorities to make their practice authentic and add some credentials. The average salary of a professional career counselor is around $50,000, which may increase as the individual gains more experience in the field.

So, if you are really passionate about helping people so that they can understand their abilities and make right career choices then career counseling is the right job for you.