What is a Career Counselor?

Career counselors normally hold a graduate degree in career counseling or career development. Career counselors help people make and carry out decisions and plans related to career and life directions. Some Career Counselors may be certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors (although this certification is no longer offered).

What do Career Counselors do?

Professional Career Counselors utilize strategies and techniques tailored to the specific needs of the client seeking help. This could include one or more of the following: *Conduct individual counseling sessions to help clarify career/life goals *Administer and interpret assessment inventories to assess abilities, skills, interests, values, personality type in order to identify career options. *Encourage exploratory activities through assignments and planning work. *Utilize career planning systems and occupational information systems to help individuals better understand the world of work. *Provide opportunities for improving decision-making skills. *Assist in developing individualized career plans. *Assist in creating and writing resumes and cover letters, and other job-search related letters. *Present helpful information, assistance, skills and guidance for the job-hunting process *Assist in understanding the integration of work and life balance *Provide support for persons experiencing job stress, job loss, and/or career transition.

There is a wealth of information available on the internet on job and career topics. Why should I hire a career counselor instead of just using the free info on the internet?

If you've read this far, you may already have a good response to this question. However, the key response is that a career counselor can guide you, in a personal, customized and individualized fashion, towards a rewarding job and career path. There is a wealth of information on the internet; but it can seem overwhelming, and the internet is not a trained, experienced counselor who can ask the right questions and provide invaluable assistance tailored specifically to you. The internet should be utilized as an important resource in the job and career search process.

How can I find a Career Counselor?

Use the telephone yellow pages or online yellow pages; search web sites for a Career Counselor; check with social service organizations such as FEGS (Federated Employment and Guidance Services); check with your state Department of Labor office or One Stop Employment Centers; ask a psychologist or psychiatrist for a recommendation; see if a local college or university career center can help; ask by word-of-mouth.

What initial questions should I ask regarding credentials and other important factors?

*What type of graduate degree do you hold? *Are you a National Certified Counselor, and is Certification required in this state? *What is your experience in this field? *Could you provide a reference if I requested one? *Are you a member of a national or state career counseling professional association?

What do career counseling clients have the right to expect?

You may ask career counselors for detailed information about services, fees, time schedules, and a copy of their ethical guidelines. It's very important to select a counselor who is professionally trained, who specifies fees and services on request, and who lets you choose the services you would like. Preferably, you should not select a counselor who demands a large up-front fee for a full range of services. Be sure you can terminate services at any time, paying only for services rendered. Be careful of services that offer you "higher salaries", "quick promotions", "guaranteed resumes", or "top-notch jobs". Career counselors are NOT placement counselors or employment agencies. Career issues are usually complex and normally require one or more interviewing sessions to better understand the client's needs and situation.

What is expected of me as a potential career counseling client?

It is expected that you will be honest with your answers to the questions asked by the career counselor; and that you will do all the work that the career counselor you hire deems necessary in order to have successful, rewarding and fulfilling results in achieving your job/career goals; in other words, that you will take true responsibility for your future.

What else can you tell me about Ethical Guidelines?

Professional career counselors are expected to follow the ethical guidelines of organizations such as the National Career Development Association, the National Board of Certified Counselors, and the American Counseling Association (all of which have websites). Professional codes of ethics advise against hyperbolic guarantees and promises, exorbitant fees, breaches of confidentiality and related matters of misconduct.

What are Career Assessment Inventories?

Please see the section on "Career Counseling" on this website.

When and Where are you available?

I have a varied but fairly flexible schedule. One of the main advantages of working with me is that we can work in person - at my home-based office in Ardsley (Southern Westchester), or at your home, or a neutral location such as a library or coffeeshop - or on the telephone, or via e-mail. This flexibility is important and helpful in our increasingly hectic and scheduled lives. Further, not having to rent an office space means my fees are lower and more affordable. If you really want to work in a professional office space, I can rent a counseling office in White Plains on a per-session basis.

How many sessions will we need to work together?

This will depend entirely on exactly what services you are looking for, your particular situation and how much money you are willing to spend. Normally, I will need to meet with or speak with you at least twice, even if you just want to work on a resume, or interviewing skills, etc. The reason for this is that it will be very helpful for me to get some background information about you through a series of specifically designed questions. The more background I learn about you, the more I will be able to help you. If you want to engage in the career counseling process, we will require a longer series of meetings or conversations.

Is it possible to just get a resume or cover letter or other goals accomplished quickly if that's all I need and have a time constraint?

Yes, in certain cases, that is possible.

Why should I select Andy Wainer to work with, as opposed to other Career Counselors?

Firstly, I have the necessary training, education, knowledge, skills and background. Beyond that, I bring to the table a very interesting and diverse background as a Counselor, Educator, Teacher, Tutor, Comedy Improvisation Leader and even an Exercise Instructor! I have experienced Career Transition and unemployment; have had success with my own business; am a terrific listener and communicator, and, most of all, my professional life has been about helping people - and helping in creative ways. I estimate that I've taught and presented over 2,500 classes and workshops in many and varied subject areas- including Career Development - to at least 10,000 people of all ages; moreover, I have counseled and tutored many hundreds of other individuals regarding college success, career development/counseling, and other areas. I write a monthly article on Jobs/Careers for the Westchester Times Tribune, a newspaper published online and in paper version.