Career orientation

Career orientation (or career guidance) is the kind of services for individuals people in not specified age and not specified period of their lives where there will be helped to start thinking about their future career live and how to deal with them. They consist of three main areas:

• Information - courses and possibilities of occupations and career ways; it could be provided in lecture way,
• Counselling - one to one or group meetings focused on the individual predispositions and their willingnesses of their planned job;
• Education - the workshops of helping people to develop their capacities for running their development (A. G. Watts 2013).

The role of counsellor

There would be provided the coach (counsellor or career development professional) for each of participant or small group in order to concentrate on the particular unit by steering their thoughts and views on the life by for instance asking questions, preparing the some tests etc. When the results will be known the mentor will prepare the list of proposed occupations, advise how to find them in the labour market and how to find it. That person can help with looking for the positions which you are interested with because they have up-to-date knowledge and data about it.

Career planning focus topics

There can be provided classes/ trainings In many different topics. It is presented the list of example of topics below:

• Assessment centers - giving the good case practices about how candidate can prepare to the group task;
• Mindfull development spaces - the way to help the candidate understand what career route should choose and develop yourself during each space,
• Career Workout - the process of planning the way of looking for the dreaming the job, for instance by being aware of what are your personal values and acquired skills;
• Writing CV and a cover letter (or resume) - how to prepare that documents in order to suit the applied position in the company you chose,
• Job interview practice - how to prepare to the interview and present yourself in the most memorable way by exercising,
• Bachelor's/ Master's choice - the workshops when you get to know the university studies faculties in the city/ voivodeship/ country,
• Networking - presentation how people can reach connections and the styles of exchanging contact between themselves,
• Profilling on LinkedIN - how to prepare the most professional profile on LinkedIN to increase interest of potential employers,
• Understanding the labour market (native and foreign countries) - the lectures when it is told about the economic situation at those markets (Studenten Services 2018).

The possible problems at the beginng of the career

More and more people decide to use for the career orientation possibility before finding their first job or decision about transition (changing the particular position/ company). It should not be in that way due to the fact that main intention of these kind of services is keeping them constantly and regularly - for the whole life; not use them from time to time. It will not help the person to be aware of their career and track it frequently in order not to feel as 87% of Americans who do not like their job and the quarter of Americans who say that the work is the first reason of their stress (R. Preckman 2018).

Many candidates have the problem with finding the proper job tailored to their interests and competences due to many things. The first one could be failure during the career process planning. Why is it so important? Due to the importance of that first step of thinking about their future job. That kind of decision should be well-thought because the job which is chosen by the candidate will be able to affect on their private life, their mood, the way how they can think about themselves (in positive or negative way).People are going to spend in their job approximately 90,000 hours through the whole life so that decision should be taken in serious-minded way.

Examples of Career orientation

• Career Counseling: Through individual or group counseling, career counselors can help people identify their interests, skills, and values and how these might fit into potential career paths.
• Job Search Strategies: Career orientation can help job seekers develop effective job search strategies, such as effective resume and cover letter writing, networking techniques, and interviewing skills.
• Career Exploration: Career orientation can provide individuals with an opportunity to explore their options and to make informed decisions about their future. This includes researching potential career paths, connecting with employers, and learning about different industries.
• Education Planning: Career orientation can provide individuals with guidance on educational planning. This includes helping individuals assess their current level of education and determine what additional education may be necessary to pursue specific career paths.
• Career Assessments: Career orientation can involve the use of career assessments to assess an individual's interests, skills, and values. This can help individuals identify potential career paths that fit their interests and abilities.
• Career Education: Career orientation can provide individuals with career education to help them better understand the labor market and how their skills can be applied to various industries. This can include career exploration activities, such as job shadowing, informational interviews, and career exploration classes.

Advantages of Career orientation

• Career orientation helps to identify career goals, interests and values and develop a plan to reach them. It helps to understand the job market, understand the strengths and weaknesses and identify career options that match the individual's ability and interests.
• It provides the opportunity to evaluate career paths, opportunities, and options to make informed decisions.
• It helps to develop a step-by-step action plan to reach the desired career goals.
• Career orientation helps to overcome doubts and fears related to career decisions, providing support in the decision-making process.
• It helps to build self-confidence and gain knowledge about career options and resources.
• Career orientation also provides access to up-to-date information about job trends and emerging opportunities.
• It can help to set realistic expectations about the job market and understand the requirements of different professions.
• It provides the opportunity to network with professionals in the field and build relationships with employers.
• Career orientation can help to build skills necessary for a successful job search, such as resume writing, interviewing, and networking.

Limitations of Career orientation

Career orientation has some limitations, including:

• Lack of resources: Career orientation services may lack the necessary resources such as career counselors and other professionals to provide accurate advice and guidance.
• Limited access to information: Career orientation may not have access to the latest and most accurate information about current career trends and options.
• Limited time: Services may be limited by time constraints which may prevent individuals from receiving the full benefits of career orientation.
• Cost: Career orientation services may not be affordable for some individuals.
• Lack of customization: Career orientation services may not be tailored to the specific needs of an individual, making it difficult to identify the best path forward.
• Unclear goals: Individuals may not have a clear idea of their career goals, making it difficult to determine the best path forward.
• Unclear expectations: Individuals may not have a clear idea of their expectations, making it difficult to determine the best path forward.
• Unfamiliarity with the process: Individuals may not be familiar with the process of career orientation, making it difficult to make informed decisions.

Other approaches related to Career orientation

• Self-assessment - Self-assessment is a process that allows individuals to gain insight into their skills, interests, values, and overall personality traits in order to determine what career paths may be the best fit for them.
• Career exploration - Career exploration involves researching and learning about different career paths and industries, as well as exploring what kind of job opportunities are available.
• Education planning - Education planning involves researching and understanding the educational pathways and requirements needed to pursue a particular career.
• Job search assistance - Job search assistance helps individuals understand the job search process, how to create a strong resume and cover letter, and how to effectively network and interview.

In conclusion, career orientation is a service that helps individuals explore their career options, gain insight into their skills, values, and interests, and understand the educational and job search requirements needed to pursue a particular career.

Career orientation — recommended articles

Employee selection — Stress interview — Belbin team role inventory — Internal training — Administrative skills — Coaching and mentoring — Personal knowledge — Letter of advice — Employment history

References

• Maree J. G. (2018), Perspective: promoting career development in the early years of people’s lives through self - and career construction counselling to promote their career resilience and career adaptability Early Child Development and Care, Volume 188
• McKay D. R. (2018), How Does Career Guidance Support Career Development?, Careers
• Premack R. (2018), 17 seriously disturbing facts about your job, Business Insider
• Studenten Services (2018), Career orientation: overview, University of Amsterdam
• Watts A.G. (2013), Career guidance and orientation, UNESCO-UNEVOC, Revisiting global trends in TVET

Author: Beata Mertyn