Career Counselling insights

Client statement

After getting high grades and completing my degree, no one wants to hire me!

Client statement

I got a job at that new company you told me about!

Client statement

I wish that you would tell me what would be best for me to do.

Client statement

I’d really like to do something different, but how can I begin?

Client statement

I have had twelve interviews and no one has offered me a job

Client Statement

I have finally figured out what I’d like to do!

Client Statement

It is very difficult to list all of these things to do with dates attached to them.

Client statement

My family will be ashamed of me because my Mum and Dad want me to be......

Client statement

There must be some way you can help me!

Client statement

There is so much that I can’t foresee about the future.

Consultants possible underlying concern(s)

The issue is not around the results but the person’s approach to getting work and the type of jobs being targeted.
What has been the person’s strategy in finding work? Has the person a plan?
Where is the process breaking down? Application/resume stage? Interview performance?
The jobs the person is applying are dependent on more than degree results?

Consultants possible underlying concern(s)

Why was the person interested in the job?
Has the person evaluated his suitability to the position or has he taken the job because he heard about the company?
What is this person’s career path?
What professional development opportunities does the position offer?
Does it match this person's instrinsic drivers and values system?
How is family feeling about the job? Is there any impact?

Consultants possible underlying concern(s)

What has the person done to date to address the problem?
Why is the person having trouble deciding on what to do?
What are the options and what will be their impact on you and others?
Is there anything stopping you from making a decision?

Consultants possible underlying concern(s)

How long have you felt like this?
Have you tried to do something different? If so, what happened?
Have you done any self evaluation exercise to find out what else interests you?
Do you believe there is anything stopping you from doing something different?
Do you have ideas about what you would like to do?

Consultants possible underlying concern(s)

What type of positions have you been applying for?
Why did you apply to those particular positions you had interviews for?
Did you receive or have you asked for interview feedback?
Why do you think you have not been offered a job?
Have you tried anything different in any of the interviews?

Consultants possible underlying concern(s)

What was your driver to figure out what you wanted to do?
Have you been through this process before?
How did you reach this conclusion?
What has influenced you?
What factors did you take into account in reaching this decision?
Now you have figured out what to do, how to you plan to get there? What is your strategy?
How have you validated this conclusion you have reached?

Consultants possible underlying concern(s)

Difficult but not impossible?
Is there any reason why you say this is very difficult?
Why do you say this task is difficult?
Have you tired doing this before? If so, what happened?
Do you have difficulty in committing to doing things by a certain date?
Do you see it has failure if you do not meet the due date?
Do you consider yourself an organised person?

Consultants possible underlying concern(s)

Why do you say this statement?
Is there evidence to suggest they would be ashamed of you?
Have you spoken to your family about what you want to do as a career? If so, what did they say?
Do you believe you could do anything different that would help explain what want to do as a career?

Consultants possible underlying concern(s)

What is the issue or problem?
Why do you need help?
What have you done to date to resolve the issue?
What do you believe are your options?
Why do you think you are having difficulty in deciding what to do?

Consultants possible underlying concern(s)

Why does it concern you that you cannot foresee the future?
How does this impact on what you want to do?
What are you trying or wanting to achieve?
Are you a details focussed person?
Do you feel more comfortable when you have detailed information?

Possible feelings expressed in client statement

The person had an expectation that if he got good results the rest would happen. The person is feeling frustrated and annoyed for not being rewarded for the hard work. The person has received negative reinforcement as ‘no one wants to hire me!’ The person may associate the work he put in to get high grades has resulted in a negative experience or outcome.

Possible feelings expressed in client statement

The person is feeling positive regard. He feels that somebody has cared for him by telling him about the job, which the person ultimately got. The person is extremely excited!

Possible feelings expressed in client statement

The person is feeling confused and under pressure to make a decision. The person does not know how to progress with a decision or reach an outcome. Perhaps there is a fear of failure or having to feel pain if what the person chooses to does not work out. This may be a trait of the person being indecisive which can create anxiety.

Possible feelings expressed in client statement

The person is feeling like he is frozen to the spot. The statement is a rather throw away type of statement that shows a lack of conviction. Equally, it is a very broad statement with no context. The person is feeling unfulfilled, without understanding the reasons why. This feeling may be one of the person’s traits. The person is seeking some sought of personal growth.

Possible feelings expressed in client statement

The person is feeling like she must get a job and if she does not, she has failed. The person would be feeling frustrated in not knowing how to change the situation.

Possible feelings expressed in client statement

This person is feeling a sense of relief and excitement. It is like he has achieved a goal and received positive reinforcement by sticking to the task of figuring out what he wants to do.

Possible feelings expressed in client statement

The person seems overwhelmed by the thought of planning their career and consequently has not done anything. The person feels that by putting dates they set themselves up for failure if they don’t achieve the task by the given date.

Possible feelings expressed in client statement

The person has a thought process, where if I do not make my parents happy, they will be ashamed of me. The person is feeling disappointed in himself and feels he has let others down.

Possible feelings expressed in client statement

It sounds like a voice of desperation and anxiety. It is a feeling of despair, where the person feels he hasn’t the confidence or the capability to make a decision. The person is feeling irrational and is panicking.

Possible feelings expressed in client statement

The person feels there are things or events beyond his control which impacting on his behaviour. The person may have traits of a procrastinator and being extremely risk adverse. The person seems to have a fear of failure and having difficulty committing because of the uncertainty of the future.