The Best Career Consulting Benefit You Didn’t See Coming

The Best Career Consulting Benefit You Didn’t See Coming

One overlooked benefit has the power to transform a job search—and it just might be the best career consulting benefit you never expected.

By Julie Norwell

When you think of career consultants, what comes to mind? Resume makeovers? New LinkedIn tools? Networking strategies? Expert interview preparation? These are all undeniably effective and valuable. But there’s another, often overlooked, benefit that has the power to transform a job search—and it just might be the best career consulting benefit you never expected.

Career transitions are rarely easy, and for many professionals, the challenges go beyond the practicalities of finding a new role. They strike at the heart of confidence, identity, and motivation. The uncertainty of what’s next and how to get there can be overwhelming, leaving even the most accomplished individuals questioning their value and goals. It’s in these moments of doubt and vulnerability that a skilled career management consultant can have an enormous impact.

“It’s easy to get frustrated in the career search process and almost want to give up. Knowing I had a team of people in my corner put me at ease.”

For many executives seeking a career change, one of the most surprising rewards of working with a career consultant is the emotional support they receive during a challenging and turbulent time. A career consultant becomes a sounding board and a trusted ally—someone who listens without judgment, helps you navigate doubts and frustrations, and keeps you focused on your priorities. This support is often the foundation job seekers need to regain their confidence, build momentum, and approach their career transitions with a renewed sense of purpose.

A Mental Journey

Career transitions are as much a mental journey as they are a logistical one. Derrick Stewart found that to be the case during his job search. After nearly two decades in IT and data protection at a leading health insurance company, Derrick never imagined he’d need to search for a new job. But when layoffs hit,  Derrick’s world turned upside down. At first, he tried navigating the career search on his own, even working with a company-provided career service. Yet despite his expertise, the job market felt hyper-competitive and deeply frustrating.

That’s when Derrick discovered executive career management firm The Barrett Group (TBG). He initially sought help with resumes, LinkedIn, and interview preparation—tools he knew would help him stand out. And that they did! After just one month in TBG’s program, Derrick landed as a technical business analyst with another leading insurance company. 

But when asked to name the biggest benefit from his program, Derrick’s answer was revealing. 

Studies have long shown that exhibiting self-confidence during job interviews correlates with positive hiring results.

“There is a lot that TBG does to prepare you and set you apart from other candidates. I gained perspective that I’d never had before,” Derrick reflected. “But the psychological and motivational part was the most valuable aspect to me. It’s easy to get frustrated in the career search process and almost want to give up. Knowing I had a team of people in my corner put me at ease.”

Unlike his previous experiences with career coaches, Derrick felt genuinely supported by TBG’s team. “I felt like a number with them,” he said of earlier services. “With TBG, I felt I had a team of people honestly trying to help me in every aspect of my career search.”

High Confidence Delivers Better Results

Emotional support doesn’t just create a smoother career change experience, it makes the process more effective, too. Why? Because emotional support fosters confidence, helping job seekers believe in themselves and their candidacy – especially when it’s genuine and grounded in honesty. Bibi, for instance, deeply valued the objective perspective her career consultant, Waffles, provided. “Waffles was so supportive in ways that went beyond pep talks. I appreciated that he didn’t just tell me things that he thought I wanted to hear. He was reality-based,” observed Bibi. Waffles both uplifted Bibi and equipped her with the clarity she needed to approach her career transition with conviction.

Indeed, studies have long shown that exhibiting self-confidence during job interviews correlates with positive hiring results. In other words, self-assured candidates are more likely to get job offers. They’re also more likely to target better jobs, as in Ashley Turner’s case.

“I was feeling insecure, but here was an unbiased person telling me what she saw as my strengths. It was great validation to me,” said Ashley. “Your mental state is so important when you’re looking for a job because you’re putting yourself out there. Julie [Ashley’s career consultant] gave me the tools I needed to reflect on who I am and what I can do and the confidence to go out and get the job I deserve.” 

To Boldly Go

Of course, the flip side is also true. When rejection, uncertainty, and discouragement erode confidence, it can derail a career change.

It is especially hard for those wanting to make a bold move not to succumb to an easier path when the going gets tough. In these moments, the steady encouragement of a career consultant can be crucial in keeping you on track, as it was for Maciej Kossowski, who transitioned from a long career at a multinational to a startup.

“I wasn’t just looking for a job, I was surviving life.”

“Sometimes jobseekers aren’t ready for multiple rejections, but to get a success story, you need to handle rejection,” said Maciej. “My career consultant, Isabelita, was great because she continued to push me. She kept me going.”

Skilled career consultants celebrate your wins and remind you of your value after setbacks, providing valuable boosts of confidence. The ripple effect is that you bring your best self to the hiring process. When you’re confident, you telegraph competence, you articulate better what you bring to the table, and you leave hiring managers with a favorable impression. You’re also better able to negotiate compensation and employment terms.

The Emotional Toll of Unanticipated Career Changes

Unanticipated career changes, in particular, can unleash a storm of emotions. Being thrust suddenly into the job market can rattle even the most accomplished professionals. And the process of job seeking can be isolating. While family, friends, or colleagues may offer encouragement, they often lack the understanding or expertise to provide actionable guidance. Add the financial pressures that come with a loss of income, especially for family breadwinners, and the emotional toll can quickly become overwhelming.

Peter Witke, head of international sales at a European medical supplier, for example, was reeling after an untenable work environment prompted him to leave his company quite suddenly. As an executive over the age of 50, he knew to expect high hurdles in a job search. To make matters worse, it was the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic when global hiring all but shut down. As a homeowner and a father of four, Peter worried about how he would meet his financial commitments. 

When you’re confident, you stand out. When you feel supported, you persevere. And when you stay true to your goals, the right opportunities will follow.

Peter enlisted TBG’s career management team to help. What he got wasn’t just a comprehensive career program but a lifeline. 

“It was obvious that my career consultant, Paula, was very experienced. She realized that I was in a difficult state of mind. I wasn’t just looking for a job, I was surviving life. She kept me very active, which was important to me psychologically,” said Peter. 

Peter’s career consulting experience enabled him to process the failure of his previous role and better understand his strengths. To be sure, the practical guidance he received helped him land a job – within two months, no less. But for Peter it was the compassion he received at a time he felt vulnerable that had the most lasting impression.

Thriving vs. Surviving

Career change is one of the most stressful experiences in life. But it doesn’t have to be a lonely or overwhelming journey. Though many executives turn to career consultants for practical tools and strategies, the emotional support these professionals provide is often the difference between surviving a job search and thriving through it.

The combination of practical guidance and compassionate encouragement doesn’t just help you find a job; it helps you approach the entire process with clarity, self-assurance, and purpose. When you’re confident, you stand out. When you feel supported, you persevere. And when you stay true to your goals, the right opportunities will follow.

In the end, the career consulting benefit you didn’t see coming might just be the best one to help you rediscover your own strength and chart a path to the next chapter of your career.

Written by Julie Norwell, senior writer & content manager at The Barrett Group.

 

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