CNL-525 Topic 6: Career Counseling Resources:
Short Answer Worksheet
Student Name
University
Course
Professor Name
Date
1. Find three resources (other than Indeed) that you would give to clients who need to update their resume, fill out an application that stands out, and compose a cover letter. List the resources.
• LinkedIn
• Glassdoor
• ZipRecruiter
2. Look for and review different online job-search platforms. What services do they offer? What services stand out to you and why?
Examples of online job-search platforms include LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and Google for Jobs. All these platforms allow employers to advertise for job opportunities. Users can browse for jobs and send their applications via the platforms. Additionally, some platforms such as LinkedIn stand out because they allow users to network with each other and enhance their skills by taking short courses.
3. Name at least two places in your city, or one nearest you, that can help people in their job searches. These can be government agencies, disability outreaches, churches, counseling agencies, etc. Briefly describe how they can help.
Career counseling agencies in my city, Jersey City, include Wanderlust Careers and Jersey City One-Stop Career Center. Wanderlust Careers provides career counseling, educational, and editorial services that help clients seek their career interests through career testing and assessments, improve their resumes, and diversity their job search. Jersey City One-Stop Career Center provides both virtual and remote services that include job referrals. The agency prioritizes military veterans, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, youth, and older individuals.
4. Briefly explain how paid professional career coaches, recruiters, and headhunters can help people get hired.
Professional recruiters, career coaches, and head hunters provide clients with guidance and insight on the job search process including how to update resumes, set career goals, and improve interviewing skills. Career counselors also help people learn more about themselves and the career path that is best suited to their interests, skills, and qualifications. In a competitive job market, these professionals are necessary because they can provide people with a competitive advantage that will increase their chances of getting hired. Other benefits of headhunters and recruiters include access to a wider pool of potential jobs, spending less time applying for jobs that may not align with one’s qualifications and interests, and access to jobs with higher salaries. Professional recruiters and career coaches can also identify industry trends and steer people to develop skills that will help them fit in specific industries (Engers, 2022).
5. Read “How to Ask for an Awesome Letter of Recommendation (and Actually Get One)” and discuss the importance of clients obtaining reference letters.
In most cases, potential employers do not ask for reference letters although it is important to have them because they increase the employers’ confidence in potential employees’ abilities. Reference letters help emphasize to employers that one is best suited for the job since they ensure that hiring managers fully understand the extent of one’s skills. These letters also verify previous job positions, performance in previous jobs, and personal character (Boogard, 2022).
6. Read “How to Develop Your Skill Set to Advance Your Career” and discuss ways you could help a client explore options to gain skills in finding a better job.
When helping clients explore options to gain specific skills, it is first important to help them determine their skills by asking them about what they enjoy doing, their previous accomplishments, and their abilities. It is also important to help them set their career goals that must be achievable, measurable, and relevant to their profession. Reviewing their strengths and weaknesses is also necessary and the information obtained should be used to help clients select education programs that will help them enhance their skills. Other options for gaining skills include utilizing company training, joining professional associations, and engaging in job shadowing (Indeed Editorial Team, 2022).
7. Discuss what you know about how to help someone find a military recruiter or apply for a state or federal job.
I would advise clients looking to find military recruiters to visit the specific website for the service branch they intend to work for. For instance, if the client wants to work in the army, I would advise him or her to go to the army website, click on the ‘locate us’ link, select a specific area of interest, and enter their zip code to access army recruiter locations within their area. When applying for a federal or state job, I would advise clients to create a USAJOBS profile, add their resumes, and apply online using their profiles.
8. How can you help a midlife client transitioning to a new job learn more about the technological requirements of the job and the possibility of working from home (remotely)?
I would first assess the client’s technological skills including how to use common software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Office, and Outlook. I would then go through the technological requirements of the new job with them and determine if he or she has the necessary skills. I would then help the client determine any additional skills required to work remotely and ensure that they possess these skills before they begin the remote work.
9. How might retired individual need assistance in looking for an avocation, volunteer work, or part-time job?
Retired individuals often seek to engage in purposeful work to keep them busy, engage in community life, or find a sense of purpose in their lives. Retired individuals may need help finding volunteer or job opportunities within their area of residence. They may also need help looking for jobs that align with their abilities and health status given their old age. these jobs, avocations, or volunteer work must also be based on their personal interests and access to resources within their community (Maestas, 2010).
References
Boogard, K. (2022). How to Ask for an Awesome Letter of Recommendation. https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-ask-for-a-letter-of-recommendation-template.
Engers, A. (2022). Working with a Recruiter to Get a Job: A Beginner’s Guide. https://www.macslist.org/career-happiness/working-recruiter-get-job-beginners-guide.
Indeed Editorial Team. (2022). How to Develop Your Skill Set to Advance Your Career. Indeed Career Guide. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-develop-your-skill-set.
Maestas, N. (2010). Back to Work: Expectations and Realizations of Work after Retirement. Journal of Human Resources, 45(3), 718-748. https://doi.org/10.1353/jhr.2010.0011