Why a Career Review first?

When we first started offering one to one career support

1. We noted that those turning up for those first one to one meetings (early 1990s) - did not seem well prepared for career discussions. They simply hoped someone was going to give them a neat answer in a carrier bag after a "chat".
2. We found that simple questions (but which needed to be pondered deeply) to which we needed answers before offering support -  could not be answered when delivered for the first time within the one to one meeting.

So we designed a questionnaire (two pages initially) to assist the process. Over the years this has evolved into a comprehensive distance learning programme. It now comprises a 34 page workbook accompanied by a guide , MP3 audio element and several methods of feedback (handwritten on the workbook, typed summary and phone follow up).

Occasionally the Career Review - just on its own - is enough to help catalyse a person's career decision making (and more rarely - sometimes just the workbook on its own achieves this). At other times the Review naturally proceeds to a Personal Career Programme (PCP).

So in summary - the Career Review enables the following....

• Preparation - encouraging you to go through a structured yet creative thinking process prior to have any discussion
• We learn about you via the workbook - so that we are well informed before making comments or suggestions
• Core issues are uncovered by the Review which can then be addressed
• The Review facilitates a comprehensive agenda for a PCP (so we hit the ground running should a PCP be needed)