Career Service Providers

Career service providers (advisors, coaches, counselors) offer various career services to help professionals with job exploration, interview preparation, career documents, networking, recruiter connections, and more. 

Never worked with a career provider? The collaboration can accelerate career goals by investing time, trust, money, and impactful interactions to generate productive results. The following are a few collaboration tips.

Identify. Knowing where to find reputable career providers is essential. Consider if you want a virtual experience or a local provider. Nonprofit association websites, like the National Résumé Writers’ Association (www.thenrwa.org), have a global directory with professional writer information. Avoid career provider scams that typically offer low-cost career services.

Communicate. Most career providers will keep all information confidential. The benefit of the service is the freedom to discuss and explore career options in a trusted environment. A reputable provider will offer helpful career information, answer questions, and partner with you. In return, you will need to be responsive and prepared for meetings. Honest, detailed information typically results in profound career insights and customized documents.

Goals. Whether you want to explore options, fine-tune skills, or gain help with career documents, a career provider can provide ways to showcase your professional value, skills, experience, and contributions. Discuss career plans, and if you have several years of experience, it can be helpful to understand ways to pursue a few career options.  

Timelines. When engaging a career provider, be ready to participate. Meetings and document exchanges required combined efforts to be successful. Adhering to timelines and responding will result in forwarding progression. Tell your provider if you need help with accountability and reminders to avoid procrastinating tasks.

Value. The service is about your career. Suggestions from a provider are for your benefit and range from getting a new professional photo to discussing a new introduction statement. In addition, providers will offer recommendations supporting your unique career goals. If suggestions make you uncomfortable, ask questions to understand why. 

Trust. It is counterproductive to hire a career provider and then solicit your family’s/friend’s opinions in order to argue with your provider about career recommendations. Research and hire a provider for their expertise. Ask questions. Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet. Every professional (family and friends included) has had a different career journey, generating varied perspectives and opinions. There is not one career path to perfection. Your career journey will be unique and different from other professionals.

Share. If you are concerned about how to job search, or you are not getting interviews, or you are unsure how to negotiate a job offer, then talk to your career provider. Likewise, share good news updates, like when you get a job offer. When you have a good career provider experience, consider sharing a service testimonial or refer a colleague to the career provider.