Career counselling is professional support for career issues, where you work with a coach on self-insight, talent analysis and concrete steps towards your next career phase. Whether you are stuck in your current job, returning from illness or simply ready for change, career counselling will help you make conscious choices. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about what career counselling entails, when it makes sense and how it works in practice.
What exactly is career counselling and what can you expect from it?
Career coaching is a form of professional guidance that supports you in making informed career choices. A career coach helps you gain insight into your talents, motivations and opportunities on the job market. The aim is to arrive together at a concrete action plan that suits your personal situation and ambitions.
The core components of career counselling consist of several elements that together form a complete picture:
- Self-insight: discovering who you are, what drives you and what energises you
- Talent analysis: mapping your strengths, skills and development potential
- Labour market orientation: explore possibilities and opportunities in your field or beyond
- Action plan: drawing up concrete steps to achieve your goals
The difference with other forms of coaching is mainly in the focus. Whereas a life coach looks more broadly at your whole life, career coaching focuses specifically on your working life. A typical process takes several months and delivers realistic results: more clarity on your direction, a stronger profile and concrete tools to take your next step.
When does career counselling make sense for you?
Career counselling is useful when you need direction and support with career issues. This can come up in a variety of situations: when you get stuck in your current job, during a reorganisation, when returning after a long-term absence, or when you are simply ready for something new but don't know exactly what.
There are clear signs that professional counselling can help:
- You experience little job satisfaction or motivation
- You are unsure about your next career move
- You want to make better use of your talents
- You feel insecure about your position in the job market
- You seek a better work-life balance
There is an important distinction between preventive and reactive career guidance. Preventive counselling starts from your own initiative, even before problems arise. You want to develop yourself or prepare for future changes. Reactive guidance comes from a concrete reason, such as dismissal or a reorganisation. Both forms are valuable, but preventive guidance often gives you more time and space to make conscious choices.
How does a career path work in practice?
A career path usually proceeds in several phases that build on each other. It starts with an intake interview in which you clarify your question together with the coach. You then start with self-examination, often supported by assessments or other tools that identify your talents and preferences.
The usual stages in a career path are:
- Intake and demand clarification: what is your situation and what do you want to achieve?
- Self-examination and assessments: who are you, what can you do and what suits you?
- Exploration of opportunities: what options are there in the labour market?
- Drawing up an action plan: what concrete steps will you take?
- Implementation guidance: support for job applications, networking or other actions
The role of the coach is supportive and challenging at the same time. You are given the space to think for yourself, but are also stimulated to look outside your comfort zone. Your own input is essential: you ultimately determine the direction.
The duration of a trajectory varies. Some trajectories last a few weeks, others a few months. It depends on your demand and the intensity of the counselling. With us, we strongly believe in customisation: each programme is tailored to your personal situation and goals. Standard programmes rarely match the unique questions people have.
What is the difference between career counselling and outplacement?
Career counselling and outplacement are similar, but there are important differences. Career counselling is broader and can be valuable at any stage of your career. Outplacement focuses specifically on the transition to a new job, usually after dismissal or termination of employment.
| Aspect | Career counselling | Outplacement |
|---|---|---|
| Reason | Own initiative or development need | Dismissal or reorganisation |
| Objective | Setting direction, development | Finding a new job |
| Funding | Often own investment or employer | Mostly employer |
| Focus | Wide: orientation and growth | Specific: work-to-work |
There is certainly overlap between the two forms. Both career counselling and outplacement use self-insight, labour market orientation and job search support. The distinguishing feature is the context: outplacement has a clear end point (a new job), while career counselling can also focus on broader questions about your career and sustainable employability.
Both pathways contribute to sustainable employability. They help you think consciously about your future and take action to shape it.
Who pays for career guidance and what options are available?
The cost of career guidance can be covered in various ways. Employers regularly offer it as part of their development policy or during reorganisations. You can also invest in your career yourself, or take advantage of grants and schemes that are available.
The main financing options are:
- Through your employer: many organisations have budget for personal development
- Own investment: you invest in your future yourself
- Grants and schemes: think of the STAP budget or sectoral funds
- Collective bargaining agreements: some collective agreements contain agreements on career support
Employers often offer career guidance when they invest in the development of their employees. This can be part of a broader policy on sustainable employability, or used specifically in the event of changes within the organisation.
As for costs, they vary depending on the duration and intensity of the programme. You will usually receive personal interviews, assessments, practical tools and guidance on implementing your action plan. It is wise to inform yourself well in advance about what exactly is on offer and whether it suits your needs.
Want to arrange career counselling? Start by talking to your supervisor or HR department if you want to go through your employer. If you choose your own route, you can go directly contact a career coach to discuss your options. We are ready to look together at what suits you and how we can support you in shaping your future.