Do you need a career consultant?

Maybe, maybe not.

If you're going from one job to another job that is very similar to what you've already been doing and you know the people very well, you probably don't need any help. Or, if you've had good career advice in the past and you know how to compose your resume for maximum effectiveness, how to avoid the "killer" mistakes, and you know:
*what questions to ask in the interview
*how to answer the questions they ask you
*how to effectively negotiate a favorable compensation package
*and, what to do after the interview,

You probably don't need any help.

However, if you're changing companies and/or trying to get into a new field, you could probably benefit from some professional resume and interviewing advice. The problem that most people don't realize until it's too late is that if you pursue a position through submitting a resume or even getting an interview and it does not go well, you'll never know if you could have done better had you been better prepared.

If you're comfortable acting as your own CPA at tax time, or representing yourself in legal matters, or giving yourself an annual physical exam, you're probably not a candidate for professional career advice. You can also try to fix your own golf swing, serve as your own financial/retirement counselor, and get educated by reading a lot of books...but it's not the same as getting professional help or getting a degree.

However, if it's been a while since you last put a resume together or were in a job interview, you can almost always improve your chances of success if you get professional help. Following the example of everyone else is a recipe for assuring yourself that you wind up like everyone else...still looking for a job.


The challenge is that we never see ourselves as other see us. A second set of eyes and ears, expecially if that other set of eyes and ears has dealt with hundreds of companies that have explained what they like and don't like to see and hear in resumes and interviews, can make the difference between success and frustration in the job and career hunt.

A qualified and experienced professional may also see strengths and talents in you that you had no idea you possessed. A good career advisor can show you how to market those skills to your benefit.

Is it expensive? Compared to staying unemployed or in a job that you don't like? No, not at all.