CAREER COUNSELING

Career Counseling is part didactic and interactive in that Mark provides clients resources to aide in the career search process and engages clients with probing questions to elicit the pieces to the job, career or calling puzzle. Ultimately, the goal is to find a client’s sweet spot, best fit or career that one is able to sustain for decades. Based on a longitudinal study, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has discovered that the average number of jobs an American holds between the ages 18 and 58 is 12.9. The Bureau has no statistics regarding the number of careers that Americans hold but there are claims online that Americans change careers between 3 -7 times in a lifetime. Mark understands that mismatch leads to high stress, disatisfaction and unfulfillment. As a result, Mark works with many folks who are in a job or career transition which can be stressful for multiple reasons including financial, time investment, need for additional education, need for support by family and sacrifices that need to be made.

The process in whole includes 2 phases: the identification phase and the search or marketing/networking phase. The career identification process is largely based on identifying best strengths and skills that clients love to use towards the goal of finding a sweet spot or comfortable fit. An important aspect of this phase is to literally take note of job responsibilities/roles.as well as strengths and best skills utilized in current and former jobs, volunteer positions and hobbies. By recognizing patterns or thread that exist in a myriad of experiences one is able to develop the clues necessary to form a coherent narrative or theme. Additionally, the client is encouraged to educate him or herself vis a vis reading books on career identification, conducting informational interviews and complete personality assessments such as the Myers Briggs Indicator Assessment or The Type-Finder Personality Test to help assess career fit. Finally, Mark encourages information interviewing to help clients learn and narrow down fields of interes: these interviews may validate or enhance interest or help rule out options. This due diligence goes a long way towards the discovery of a career that feels connected to a sense of purpose, meaning, identity, contribution, mission.and perhaps a calling.

The marketing/sales process emphasizes networking with previous bosses, managers, colleagues, customers, classmates/alumni from educational institutions, friends and family; utilizing such professional networking platforms as LinkedIn and Handshake as vital tools to build connections to decision makers of potential employers. Mark also provides assistance with interview preparation by helping clients demonstrate fit based on transferable experience; strengths, skills, value proposition and passion for the work/company’s brand personality. Furthermore, Mark helps clients identify potential questions that may be raised in an interview, e.g, behavioral interview questions and engaging in practice interviews. Finally, Mark provides assistance with negotiation of a compensation package.

CAREER COUNSELING SUCCESS STORIES

Please click in the link below to learn about the most recent success stories of my clients.   Names have been changed for privacy purposes. Career Cunseling Success Stories.

FEE

An Initial consultation is $200 and follow up sessions is $150 per hour session. Health insurance doesn't cover this service. Cash or check only.