Common Q&A – Career Management Services:
Q: How long do your clients typically work with you?
A: That’s really a trick question! As this process is very personal and requires a great deal of self-discovery and personal investment, there isn’t a formula for how long our work will take. Some clients are able to make strides and move forward into “job search mode” within a few sessions while others need more time to figure out their next steps. We’ve encountered a huge range – sometimes an average of four to five sessions before launch to as much as a year before someone is ready to move on.
Q: Will a career counselor tell me what career is best for me?
A: No. Your counselor will help you uncover options that are best suited to your skills, strengths, and personality and will help you explore options. They will not, however, tell you what you should pursue. Our role is not to dictate but to help you uncover what is best suited to you and where you are in life.
Q: Do you use assessments to help identify career options?
A: Yes, we often use both formal (Strong Interest Inventory, Myers Briggs, Skills Scan, StrengthsFinder 2.0) and informal (card sorts, writing exercises, etc.) to help uncover options for future career possibilities.
Q: Where are appointments held?
A: If you’re in the Washington, DC area we can meet at our offices located in Alexandria – right across the street from the King Street Metro on the Blue Line. We offer a wide-range of appointments M-F between 9:00 and 7:00 p.m. We can usually accommodate later appointments as well.
If you’re out of the area, we can meet by phone or Skype during the day or evenings – whatever fits your schedule.
Q: How often will we meet?
A: Typically, we meet every week or every other week during the beginning of our work together. As you move from considering career options to implementing a job search, we might meet less frequently. It’s really all about you – what you need for support and how much energy you have to do the work that is required.
Q: How much will this cost me?
A: Career counseling appointments are fifty-minutes in length and are charged at $150.00 per session payable by check or credit card at the time of service.
Q: Are there any other fees that you charge?
A: That depends. If your counselor works outside the session on a project to assist you (resume reviews, etc.), there will be additional costs. All new clients are provided with a price list before our first meeting. We are also happy to provide you with a copy at your request.