Self-exploration can be very clarifying and help point you in the right direction for your next opportunity. Going through the A.S.T.E.R. Career Model offers a structured path for evaluating your Values, Interests, Natural disposition, Exceptional strengths, and Skills (known as your V.I.N.E.S.). After completing the assessment process, you should have personal insight and data on the types of jobs and industries that match your V.I.N.E.S. It’s helpful to put all this information in one place before moving on to researching roles. My free Purple Parachute Workbook offers a place to record your V.I.N.E.S. and provides a list of questions to help you move to the next step in the process (pages 25-27).
As this blog series continues (this link will take you to the first one), addressing each chapter of The Purple Parachute: A Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Winds of Career Change this post will address putting together all the bits of information that you have collected during the assessment phase and how to find further assistance if needed (Chapter 7).
WHAT ARE YOUR V.I.N.E.S. SAYING?
As you have been following along, you will see that we have come to the end of the self-assessment phase. Now it’s time to pull all the data you have collected about your V.I.N.E.S. to see what themes are coming to the surface. Sometimes, the themes and target areas are glaringly obvious, and other times, they are hard to see. A common problem is being too close to the challenge or too stressed to see the possible solutions. Occasionally, you need an objective view and a helping hand to move forward.
If you do seek out more assistance, it’s important to know the different types of professionals who can help. My book shares detailed information on the types of people and places where you might seek further assistance (pages 115-117). I will share some options below, focusing on those based in the United States, as well as links to people or resources that I trust.
WHERE CAN YOU FIND HELP IF YOU ARE STUCK?
Life coaches: Though there may be some overlap, career coaching and life coaching are not the same. Life coaches help clients with a broad array of issues. Some typical topics for a coaching engagement could be weight loss, going through a divorce, spirituality, caring for loved ones, stress level, time management, confidence building, and decision-making. Many coaches specialize in an area, and their titles may reflect this, such as fitness coach, spiritual coach, wellness coach, and relationship coach, among others.
Be careful when hiring a life coach because this industry is not regulated. Anyone can call themselves a life coach, and training programs can vary greatly. Some are well established with lengthy instruction, while others can be quick and insubstantial. Find out where the person was trained and investigate the reputation of that organization. Also, find out if they have a specialty and see if it aligns with the help you seek.
One life coach who I can vouch for is Melissa Parsons. She is a former pediatrician and has a great podcast called Your Favorite You. She focuses on helping women become their favorite versions of themselves.
Career coaches: Career coaching will focus on some aspect of job search or career management. Typical topics could include career transitions, job search strategies, interviewing, salary negotiation, resume feedback, and branding. Career coaching is future-focused and often short-term, though plenty of clients choose long-term career coaching for ongoing career management support. Career coaching is not a regulated industry, so you should do your homework before hiring someone. These professionals should not be offering services that go outside of the scope of careers unless they are also licensed therapists.
Since moving out of Maryland, I must call myself a career coach now, though I am well-versed in career assessments and workplace psychology. If you’d like to schedule a free initial inquiry with me, click here and select a date.
Career counselors: These services may overlap with those of a career coach, but professionals in this area are often skilled in assessments, workplace psychology, and counseling techniques. Career counselors may dig into your past work experiences before helping you figure out where you are headed. In some states, you cannot call yourself a career counselor unless you are a licensed therapist. In other states, you can hold the title of career counselor without being a therapist. When seeking out a career counselor, ask about the person’s credentials so you understand the type of professional you are hiring. If you are having multiple challenges that involve your career alongside other issues, you may want to find a career counselor who is a licensed therapist. This combination can be hard to find.
A colleague I know and trust who fits this description is Ilana Tolpin Levitt. She is a licensed therapist in New Jersey, specializing in career counseling.
Counselors: These professionals are also known as therapists or psychotherapists. This field is highly regulated, but the criteria will vary by state. Counselors can help with a variety of issues across the spectrum of mental health. They often specialize in a topic area such as marriage, family dynamics, grief, anxiety, and depression.
Dr. Jill Stoddard is an author and a mental health professional licensed to practice in CA. She is also a co-host of a great podcast called Psychologists off the Clock, which covers topics related to work, relationships, and wellness. Jill offers free quizzes to assess your style of avoidance and the effects of Imposter Phenomenon.
Psychology Today offers a large database of therapists across the U.S.
When seeking out help with understanding yourself and moving forward in your career, consider organizational resources that may be available to you. Many higher education institutions offer career services to students and alumni (though some are fee-based for alumni). Also, workforce development offices exist across the US. You can find your closest location by entering your zip code into the Service Locator. All workforce development services are free to citizens of the local area, but you may need to qualify by proving that you are unemployed or underemployed.
If you are feeling stuck after completing the assessment process, please access the resources listed above to help you take the next step in your career journey. My next career post will cover the ensuing part of the process, which is to begin the career exploration phase by seeking out more information.
P.S. New year, new profile! I will be offering a one-hour, virtual class to help you refine your LinkedIn profile through branding strategies at the end of this month.
