Preparing for your careers consultation

A careers consultant may be able to assist you with:

  • Planning your career
  • Changing direction and/or courses
  • Deciding on further study
  • Feedback on your job application documentation
  • Preparing for interviews
  • Finding work experience
  • Looking for work

Each appointment is for 30 minutes. If your consultant agrees, additional appointments may be booked to continue addressing your career needs.

What happens in careers consultation?

The careers consultant will take time to understand your needs and help you to clarify what would be helpful. The consultant may not have all the answers, but they will be able to help you find what you need to know.

Sometimes it may be appropriate for you to complete a vocational interest test or other psychometric tool to assist in identifying and clarifying your career issue. We will only use tests that are appropriate for your need and that the consultant is qualified to administer.

All consultations are confidential. All of our Careers Consultants are members of an endorsed careers association (either NAGCAS and/or CDAA), keep up to date by completing at least 30 hours of continuing professional development activities each year, and abide by the code of ethics (see below).

Preparing for an appointment

  • Think about what you want to discuss in your appointment
  • Read the resources on our website related to your concern – you may find the answers you need
  • If you want your resume or job application reviewed, bring along printed copies of relevant documents. Also bring a copy of the job advertisement if you want your selection criteria or cover letter reviewed.

Code of Ethics

  • We will deal with each person fairly, equitably, without prejudice and with due regard for his/her values, beliefs and life experiences.
  • We respect the dignity of each person for whom services are provided.
  • We accept the rights of the individual to make independent choices, to take responsibility for decisions reached, to engage in self-direction and self-development.
  • We avoid all forms of discrimination.
  • We preserve confidentiality.
  • We seek our client's expressed consent before disclosure of client information, except where there is clear evidence of serious risk to the client or to the welfare of others.
  • We acknowledge precedence of professional objectivity over institutional pressures and personal interests and the declaration of any factors which might limit the impartiality of advice offered to a client.
  • We conduct career development services for which we are properly trained and qualified.
  • We recognise the boundaries of our competency and arrange for appropriate consultations and referrals based on the best interests of our clients.
  • We aim to provide accurate, current and relevant information.
  • We use only those tests which we are competent to administer and interpret.
  • We respect the right of clients to receive a full explanation of the nature, purpose and results of tests and assessments.
  • We take all reasonable steps to protect the integrity of test materials, which depend for their validity on being kept out of the public domain.
  • We value high standards of professional competence and strive to offer high standards of professional knowledge, skills and expertise.
  • We are committed to the principle of life-long learning to maintain and improve both our professional growth and the development of our knowledge, skills and competence.