Whether you are making a first time foray into the job market, are contemplating a career change or simply need advice on how to stay employed and get promoted, you might benefit from the assistance of a career counselor.

Career counseling teaches jobseekers a process for determining what they want to do and how to market themselves. A career counselor’s goal is to empower job-seekers to take charge of their own job search. A counselor serves as a coach – helping a client discover what he can do to help himself.

Taking inventory of one’s skills, personal values, interests and challenges is an important initial step for first-time job-seekers. By administering self – assessment tests, a career counselor can give the entry-level job-seeker insight into how his skills and personal qualities correspond with different careers. Among the many benefits to this type of testing is a highly practical one: Targeting the kinds of jobs that suits one best can significantly shorten the duration of the job search. Career counseling can also be of value if you are dissatisfied with your current occupation or are between jobs. Take the test below to determine if a counselor can help you identify your goals and set you on a path towards a truly rewarding career.

1. Do I look forward to work at least 75% of the time?
2. Is my career challenging and conducive to professional and personal growth?
3. Do I believe I am being paid a fair salary?
4. Do my co-workers and employers respect my work and ideas?
5. Am I proud of my job, and do I feel good about myself?
6. Have I been promoted within the last three to five years?
7. Do I feel I am working up to my potential?
8. Do I feel I am making a valuable contribution to my company or society?
9. After three months of unemployment, do I still feel focused and confident about my abilities?
10. Can I list 10 reasons why I’m a good worker and should be promoted or hired for a position?

If you answered “no” to three or more questions, a career counselor’s guidance may be just what you need.

Next installment: how to find the career counselor that’s right for you.
 

If you know of a job opening please contact Professional Career Services at 732.905.9700 or [email protected]

Agudath Israel of Lakewood, NJ, Community Services, Inc.
Yoel Tolwinski, Director of Placements     
Shoshana  Smulowitz, Director of Placements     
Daniel Soloff, Director
 
Agudath Isreal of America, Community Services
Moshe Tyberg,
Avraham Kahn
Daniel Soloff

(This article first appeared in the Hamodia)