Careers advice whats it all about

Careers advice whats it all about Way back in the mists of time when I started this blog (ok, May) I promised to launch a  mythbusters series  challenging popular career myths. The second post may be just a  little  later than scheduled, but here we go. Myth: Im career clueless I should have some idea what I want to do This is a common refrain from students and seemingly stops a lot of you from coming to see us. It seems counterintuitive, doesnt it? How many of you go along to a GP armed with a diagnosis and a full treatment plan? But the perception that you should have  some  idea about your future direction is pretty entrenched. You might be surprised to know that theres an awful lot we can do to help if you havent got a clue. Some of us felt much the same way at university, so we certainly empathise with those feelings of anxiety and panic. I remember feeling acutely conscious that I didnt have an impressive CV, and I was worried the adviser would judge me or question my motivation. A chance discussion with a careers adviser, some years after graduation, proved to be a real turning point. If only Id had the benefit of hindsight in my student days! Careers advice is useless anyway This is another of those if I had a pound for every time. type comments. I dont think Im betraying my colleagues if I note that  careers advice has not always had the best press. You could say that we have something of an image problem. If you scour the internet and to be honest you dont have to look very hard there are plenty of disgruntled commentators bemoaning the quality of school and HE careers advice. Some of these criticisms have acquired legendary status but theyre less grounded in reality that youd like to believe. Yes, we may suggest that you access one of the computer guidance programmes like  TARGETjobs Careers Report  or  Prospects Career Planner, but only as part of a much richer, wider discussion and with the  very strong caveat that we make an appointment to discuss and interpret the results.  If youre fearful that were just going to send you away with a computer printout and a firm goodbye, then prepare to reconsider. You may be thinking that were out of touch, struggling to bridge the generational divide. Well true, you may struggle to find any Gen Y folk, but we pride ourselves on challenging and confounding stereotypes (once a careers adviser.) and I think its fair to say weve kept pace with the needs of todays students and jobseekers. Try not to let past experiences colour your view and be prepared to buy in to the process. So why should I bother? If you are wondering what on earth to do next whether now or in 5 years time, then we can really help de-mystify the whole process of career planning and job hunting. You may be paralysed by fear, feeling completely overwhelmed at the prospect of finding what to do with the rest of your life. It may seem like everyone else around you has a burning desire to work in law/banking/media/PR (tick as appropriate) and knows with searing clarity just what to do, and when. They dont, but perception can override logic. We see plenty of students that have little, or no idea, about what to do and where to start. And heres how we can help: by exploring your motivations, interests and valuesand their impact on career choice by looking at your skills and strengthsand the gaps by challenging your assumptions about jobs, careers, sectors  and yourself! by allowing you to share your thoughts, ideas and suggestions  without being judged by helping you interpret labour market information  and signposting to additional resources by discussing job search strategies  old and new by helping you find work experienceand making the most of it by working with you to pull it together.telling your story by giving you the time and space to talk in confidence What do our users have to say? Its not really for us to collectively blow the careers trumpet, although we do think careers advice can be extremely valuable (have I mentioned that!?). What matters is how our users (i.e. you) feel about the process. And the scores on the doors from our recent survey are pretty positive. Dont just take our word for it.  She quickly understood what I couldnt really describe Insightful guidance and tips, [she] knew where to look on the web for job openings Discussed several careers I had not considered opened my eyes Provided me with a clear set of options, and having discussed them I feel confident about my career path I hope youre now a little more receptive to the benefits of careers advice. Why not  book an appointment  and find out? It may just be one of the best decisions you make.