Ever had advice that just rubbed you the wrong way? Someone told you to follow your passion even if that meant you would not be able to pay the rent. Or someone would have convinced you to take an utterly wrong so-called ‘safe’ job. Good career advice can change lives. Bad advice? It sets people back.
Most people are scared of giving such advice. They are afraid that they could end up misguiding someone, or they are not convinced themselves that their views are right. It is really not so hard to offer decent career advice; it just needs a little preparation and a focus on the other person’s needs.
To really help someone within their career, you would basically need to find out about: what works for them in respect to strengthening initiatives providing practical steps; some support during tough moments; respecting their choices. Let’s see how this works.
Taking Time to Understand the Person You Are Advising
Before giving career advice to a person, take time out to get to know who sits in front of you. What makes this person tick? What are their main attributes? What do they want out of the career?
Assessment of Skill, Interest, and Value
Do not expect to give great advice if you are unfamiliar with what is going on with them. This is where you employ an open question. These questions are designed to allow someone to express their feelings freely. An effective open question to ask might be, “What parts of your job do you enjoy most?” Rather than just asking, “Do you like your job?”
Help them discover their skills: There are many transferable skills; skills that can be used in different jobs. Project management could benefit from an event organizer’s key skill.
Look at their interests: Are there practical considerations separating their interests from their passions? Passion for art is nice. Yet, their stable income may depend on their finding a combination of pursuing their passion and following a more practical career path.
Understanding Their Current Situation and Goals
What is happening with them right now? Are they happy in their work environment? What do they want to achieve in their career? What struggle are they facing now?
Using the GROW model should assist them in thinking their way through their situation. The explanation for GROW:
- Goal: What do they want to achieve?
- Reality: What is their current situation?
- Options: What options do they have?
- Way Forward: What will be their next steps?
This model provides a framework for a great conversation.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Everyone has some things at which they are good and some things at which they are poor. The trick is to be able to talk about both in a non-offensive manner, stating how the weaknesses can actually serve as growth opportunities.
Let me tell you about Sarah. She was very good at her job but shied away from any public speaking opportunities. Instead of saying, “You’re terrible at speaking,” I said, “Public speaking is a skill you can improve with practice. Let’s look into some courses or workshops.” This changed the way I spoke to her and really helped her become more confident speaking out.
Rendering Practical and Actionable Suggestions
After learning about the individual, practical steps must be undertaken. Do away with sweeping statements. Pass on information sources. Help them grow their network. Help assess their resumes.
Personal and Pertinent Resources
Do not simply say, “Find a course.” Consider and provide specific websites, courses, books, or tools where they can get help.
If they aspire to enter marketing, pass HubSpot Academy and MarketingProfs. For those who might need a job board, talk about Indeed, or LinkedIn. Have they thought of joining the American Marketing Association’s professional organization?
Help Them Network
Finding a job and building a career is all about networking. Let them know how to connect with people in their field.
Encourage industry-based events. They should join groups online – LinkedIn or Facebook. They can also directly reach out to someone they admire and request an informational interview.
Give Their Resume and Cover Letter Some Feedback
A resume and cover letter are sometimes the only impression one creates. Find ways for them to improve it.
Share formatting tips. Help with picking the right keywords. Tell them to adjust their resume based on the job they are applying for; with the incorporation of powerful action words such as “managed” and “developed” that enhance resume impact.
Troubles Facing Them and Possibilities of Setback
Career paths often have bumps. Rejection, layoffs, and other problems can happen. Go about working with them for anticipating those situations.
Help Them Work out a Plan B
What if their so-called dream job doesn’t pan out? Talk about alternatives. Offer up other career paths for them to consider.
Have them list their skills. What else can they do with those skills? A writer may work in promotion, communications, or possibly teaching. Assist them in seeing how a single skill can fit in with many other things.
Discuss Strategies to Get Over The Problems
What if they did not get promoted? What if they hate their sales job? New skills? Connections? Or maybe a different attitude?
I once saw someone get fired from a job. Rather than pulling their hair out, they seized this as an opportunity to pursue something new. They took courses in programming and got into tech. Sometimes, a missed opportunity is just an open door for a better one.
Conclusion
Good career advice boils down to a few things. Know the person in question really well. Real actions they can take. Help them cope with problems. Always be ethical.
