How can you build a supportive career counseling relationship with clients in any setting?

Career counseling is a process of helping clients explore their interests, skills, values, and goals, and identify suitable career options and strategies. Whether you work in a school, a college, a community agency, or a private practice, building a supportive relationship with your clients is essential for effective career counseling. Here are some tips on how to do that in any setting.

1 Establish rapport and trust

The first step in any counseling relationship is to establish rapport and trust with your clients. This means showing genuine interest, empathy, respect, and warmth, and using active listening skills. You can also use open-ended questions, paraphrasing, summarizing, and reflecting feelings to demonstrate your understanding and validation of your clients' experiences and emotions. Rapport and trust help create a safe and comfortable environment for your clients to share their career concerns and aspirations.

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Paulyn Williams-Church

Certified Highlands Affiliate: Highlands Company LLC Personal and Professional Growth Consultant
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One thing I have found helpful is recognizing that it takes time to build trust. It is therefore important to be patient, to recognize the level or degree of trust that has been developed at each point in the process, and to allow the person to invite you in at his or her pace. Consistency in following through on a promise made and prompt follow up, in addition to the characteristics mentioned in this article, are helpful ways to effectively establish rapport and trust.

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2 Clarify roles and expectations

Another important aspect of a supportive career counseling relationship is to clarify your roles and expectations with your clients. This means explaining the purpose, process, and goals of career counseling, as well as your ethical and professional standards. You should also discuss the frequency, duration, and format of your sessions, and the fees and payment methods if applicable. Moreover, you should inform your clients about the limits of confidentiality and the situations where you may need to disclose information to others. Clarifying roles and expectations helps prevent misunderstandings and conflicts, and enhances your clients' commitment and cooperation.

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Jenn Longbine

Global Talent Leader, Chief Member
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This is the stage in which I talk about purpose. We’ll make a mission statement for their career. Are we thinking short-term or longterm? What is the motivating factor? Are they looking to rise in the ranks, pivot industries, or find work that is a better match to their personal values? Understanding the whys can go a long way toward unlocking the how.

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3 Assess your clients' needs and strengths

A supportive career counseling relationship also involves assessing your clients' needs and strengths. This means using various methods and tools, such as interviews, questionnaires, tests, portfolios, or observations, to gather information about your clients' career-related interests, skills, values, personality, and preferences. You should also explore your clients' educational, work, and life history, as well as their current situation and challenges. Moreover, you should identify your clients' strengths, resources, and potential, and help them recognize and appreciate their unique qualities. Assessing your clients' needs and strengths helps you tailor your interventions and strategies to their specific goals and circumstances.

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Britt-Mari Sykes PhD, CDP

Career Counsellor and Strategist | Career Development Practitioner | Founder | Author
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Supportive, respectful, and encouraging conversation with clients will also illuminate a great deal of information on personal attitudes, expectations, feelings, motivation, hopes, and struggles toward career development and maintenance. This experiential information not only helps clients develop a reflective practice in their career lives but also helps the counselor better tailor and customize strategies.

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Lucy Sattler

Career Cluster Creator | Career Practitioner
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Sometimes tools can be really helpful here - and not just for the data, sometimes clients place value in them because they give you a concrete result. The trick is to use the results as a starting point for further career conversations.

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Jenn Longbine

Global Talent Leader, Chief Member
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It’s important to identify blind spots. As women, for example, we have rarely been taught to prioritize our own joy. We may not realize we’re making choices out of obligation or duty rather than pursuing our passions. Being a great coach and balancing logic and expertise with intuition can help you connect to what matters most to your client.

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4 Collaborate with your clients

Another key element of a supportive career counseling relationship is to collaborate with your clients. This means involving your clients in every stage of the career counseling process, from setting goals, to generating options, to making decisions, to taking action. You should also respect your clients' autonomy, preferences, and values, and avoid imposing your own opinions or judgments. Furthermore, you should encourage your clients to take responsibility for their own career development, and support them in finding their own solutions and coping strategies. Collaborating with your clients helps empower them and foster their self-efficacy and confidence.

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5 Provide feedback and guidance

Another essential component of a supportive career counseling relationship is to provide feedback and guidance to your clients. This means sharing your observations, insights, and suggestions with your clients in a constructive and respectful manner. You should also help your clients interpret and integrate the information and results from the assessment methods and tools you used. Moreover, you should assist your clients in exploring and evaluating various career options and opportunities, and in developing realistic and achievable action plans. Providing feedback and guidance helps your clients gain clarity and direction, and move forward in their career journey.

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Jenn Longbine

Global Talent Leader, Chief Member
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Listen for limiting beliefs. You may hear your client state possibilities as facts. That’s a clue worth investigating. Are they letting fear or deep seeded perception get in the way of their goals? Helping your client recognize those perceived obstacles can unlock potential!

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6 Monitor and review progress

Another vital part of a supportive career counseling relationship is to monitor and review your clients' progress. This means checking in with your clients regularly, and asking them for feedback on your services and interventions. You should also help your clients monitor and evaluate their own progress, and celebrate their achievements and successes. Moreover, you should help your clients identify and overcome any barriers or challenges that may arise, and adjust their goals and plans if needed. Monitoring and reviewing progress helps your clients stay motivated and accountable, and improve their outcomes and satisfaction.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you build a supportive career counseling relationship with clients in any setting?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Establish rapport and trust

2 Clarify roles and expectations

3 Assess your clients' needs and strengths

4 Collaborate with your clients

5 Provide feedback and guidance

6 Monitor and review progress

7 Here’s what else to consider

Career Counseling

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How can you build a supportive career counseling relationship with clients in any setting?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Establish rapport and trust

2 Clarify roles and expectations

3 Assess your clients' needs and strengths

4 Collaborate with your clients

5 Provide feedback and guidance

6 Monitor and review progress

7 Here’s what else to consider

Career Counseling

Rate this article

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