Career Counseling: Self-Directed Planning vs. Traditional Help

Are you trying to figure out what your next career move is? Career counseling can help you figure out where you're headed and how to get there. You’ve got options, too. 

• You can take a self-directed approach and use online tools to guide your choices

• You can work with a professional through traditional career counseling

Knowing the difference between the two, and which one fits your style, can help you move forward with more confidence in your job search.

What is career counseling?

You may be thinking, “Great, another thing to spend money on!” Fair. 

But career counseling isn’t just another service, it’s a tool to help you figure out your next move with less stress and more direction.

Career counseling gives you a space to talk through your goals, strengths, and options. You’ll look at what you’re good at, what matters to you, and where you want to go. You might take a few assessments, but the real value is having someone guide you through the big questions and help you create a plan that fits.

Pro Tip: A career counselor won’t tell you exactly what job to take, but they’ll help you understand your options and feel more confident in your choice.

So, what does a career counselor do? 

They help you connect the dots between who you are, what you want, and how to make it happen.

Why career counseling matters

Guessing your way through job boards often won’t cut it. You end up spending too much time sending out resume after resume with no response. Enter: career counseling. 

Career counseling gives you a strategy instead of a shot in the dark. You’ll figure out what drives you, what drains you, and what roles actually align with how you work. That can save you months of trial and error – not to mention burnout. 

A good career counselor helps you cut through the noise and focus on what actually fits, not just what’s available. You can also use the assistance of a career counselor if you’re switching fields, negotiating a raise, or trying to land your first job.

Is seeing a career counselor worth it? 

If you’re tired of second-guessing your next step, the answer is yes.

Types of career counseling

Of course, not every job search needs the same kind of support, which is great considering that career counseling comes in different forms with different focus, structure, and support. It’s actually more of a spectrum – you just have to find the one that’s right for you. 

Self-directed career planning

The self-directed part of career planning is exactly what it sounds like: driving the career planning on your own, without help from outside sources like a traditional career counselor. You’ll often find different career assessments, including; 

• Career interest exams

• Values and personality assessments

• Skills tests

One of the best things is that you can locate and take many of these online on your own. They’re also pretty easy to take and interpret. The results can help you discover appropriate career decisions on your own without shelling out a lot of money – if any at all. 

Traditional career counseling

This is what you probably think of when you hear the phrase career counseling. A person or group of trained professionals that offer services to help you navigate your career path. 

The emphasis in this type of career planning is on a one-on-one counseling relationship with the career counselor. Like self-directed career planning, career assessments are typically used, but in these instances, the professional administers and interprets the results. The counselor then 

• Works with you to help make career and job search decisions

• Assists in determining what type of position interests you 

• Guides your job search

• Could offer resume support and interview prep

A traditional career counseling model may take more time, as you must meet with the career counselor, and they typically charge an hourly or flat fee.

Career coaching

Career coaches focus on professional growth, performance, and big-picture goals. Some specialize in leadership development or career transitions. Unlike licensed counselors, coaches may not use formal assessments but they can still offer actionable advice.

1. Great if you want motivation, not just direction

2. More results-focused than exploratory

3. Pricing varies widely (some offer packages, others bill hourly)

School or college career services

If you’re a student or recent grad, don’t overlook your school’s career center. You can often access career counseling for free, including workshops, assessments, and one-on-one sessions.

• Built-in resource at many institutions

• Good for internships, early career planning, or first-job prep

• Limited scope compared to private counseling or coaching

When should you see a career counselor?

The short answer is: If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure what comes next in your career, that’s your cue. You don’t have to wait for a career crisis because a great career counselor can help you make better decisions before things go off track.

Here are a few signs it might be time:

• You’re not sure what kind of job fits you

• You’re thinking about switching careers

• You’ve hit a plateau and don’t know how to grow

• You need help setting clear goals

• Your job search is going nowhere

You don’t need all the answers before you talk to someone because the whole point of career counseling is to help you figure those answers out.

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Plan smarter, not harder

Whatever path you choose – DIY or guided – you still have to do the work. Career counseling just helps you waste less time doing the wrong work.

Whichever direction you go, make sure your resume isn’t working against you. A free resume review is a smart place to start.