Make the most of career guidance
By Marty Nemko
Posted 8/17/06
You've chosen a career counselor or coach. Now, how do you make the most of the sessions? Follow these guidelines:
- When you set your first appointment, ask if there's some homework you could do in advance of the session. (I send my new clients a probing new-client questionnaire.)
- Ask if you can record the session. You'll find that you'll get more out of listening to the tape than from the session itself. That's because, at home, you have more time to reflect on the questions. You're not trying to impress the counselor with your answers, and you can play the tape for another person who might offer a useful perspective.
- Be concise, even in answering open-ended questions such as, "Tell me about yourself." Practice the traffic-light rule. During the first 30 seconds of an utterance, your light is green. Your counselor is paying attention and what you say is probably important. During the second 30 seconds, your light is yellow. Your counselor is increasingly likely to be getting bored and what you say is less likely to be important. At the 60-second mark, your light is red. Yes, there are occasional times you'll want to run a red light, but you're usually wise to stop or ask a question.
- Open up. As mentioned above, it's natural to want to come off as smart and together, but if there's something you don't understand, or you're really a basket case, tell your counselor or coach. Otherwise, he'll proceed on false assumptions, which will set you up for failure. For example, if he gives you a homework assignment, and in your heart of hearts you know you'll procrastinate and blow it off, by all means, say so. The counselor will change the assignment or better help prepare you for that assignment. For example, if a counselor asks you to make 20 cold calls to prospective employers and that terrifies you, say so. He'll role-play with you, perhaps even write a script for you, or urge you to practice first with a trusted friend. But if you simply nod and accept the assignment, chances are you won't do the homework. Then you'll return to the next session with your tail between your legs, or cancel the session and stay stuck.
- Be open to the coach's or counselor's ideas. Many clients merely want their own thoughts supported. But if you've picked a counselor you like, who specializes in your situation, her views are worth serious consideration. Of course, don't be afraid to raise a concern about a suggestion if you have doubts about it.
- End the session by summarizing what you got out of the session and then asking the counselor/coach if you missed anything.
- Ask for concrete homework. Yes, you should be doing work between sessions.
- Before starting the homework, listen to the tape, maybe with someone you trust. Take notes. Perhaps revise the homework based on what your heard. After all, this isn't like school, where you have to do what the teacher says. Here, you're in charge. Still do your homework!
- If you listen to the tape of the first session and you aren't happy with your adviser's work, decide whether you think offering feedback will result in an improved second session, or whether you should cancel and find another professional. Remember, if you Google "career coach" or "career counselor," you'll find hundreds of career pros' websites. And you can always revert to self-coaching or co-coaching.