What does a Career Counselor do?

Career counselors help people and work with them while they make career choices. Their clients often come to them for advice and assistance at the start of a career or during a transition to a different career entirely. Some clients seek out a career counselor’s services and assistance following a major career obstacle including a layoff or if they voluntarily depart from a long-time position of employment.

Career counselors advise their clients through their job seeking phase and help them discover how to best position themselves for possible employment opportunities. They help clients understand their skill sets and explore different related career options. Career counselors also suggest potential educational opportunities that could help lead their clients to qualify for a better-paying career or higher position of employment. They also help college and university students to choose a major or determine which jobs their future degrees might qualify them for. They teach clients how to prepare and polish documents including a resume, cover letters, or a curriculum vitae, and instruct and support clients with the interview tips and techniques they need to go out into the job market and succeed. Career counselors have a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science, social science, or the human services field and a master’s degree in counseling. They complete graduate and post graduate internships or work experiences to meet requirements for certification or licensing, and have passed the required exams to receive their certificate or license to practice.