Please help: in need of a career counselor

Melissa66

I resigned my job in retail sales in August due to a hostile work environment and have been looking for another retail position ever since.  I've applied for dozens and dozens of positions, full time and hard time, but never get past the interview stage.  The good news is that DH and I have a good amount of savings and no debt.  But the bad news is that I'm sinking into a depression with all this rejection.  It's so terrible that I'm consulting a doctor to help me cope with my sinking self-confidence.  Of course the economy is rough and the competition for jobs is ferocious.  But I desperately need to find a career counselor to evaluate my job search and goals.  However I don't want to spend $200+ on a couselor for 1 session.  Any advice on how to find an expert who won't cost a fortune?  By the way, I'm not earning unemployment benefits.  My claim was rejected.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

Dr.Loretta

I'd look into a career counselor at any local colleges or universities in your area.

And as with the advice to the poster below, I'd evaluate why you are getting to the interview stage but no further. How are you dressing for interviews? How are you preparing? Are your salary requirements realistic? Etc.

bearkatjen

Are you the Ivy League graduate that was working in the chocolate shop? You should be able to receive help from your alma mater's career services department. If you're far away, I'm sure y'all can set up skype or something, and have a meeting that way.

DawnMarie11

Many community colleges offer career services including evaluating your goals and interview skills, and most of the time these are free to the local community and not just students.

bunnyfriend5

Its hard not to let rejection get you down. I've been there and it sucks. Its important to remember the right job you are a great fit for will come along eventually. I was curious why you were in retail rather than something using your degree. I'm assuming when you were working on your degree you had a different career in mind. Is that something you can go back to now? 

cpconsulting

Hi Melissa 66,

Happy New Year! I am a career consultant/ vocational psychologist in the Tampa Area. I would be more than willing to give you a free quote and  general analysis. In my 10 years of experience, usually one session with a career counselor will do, and you are correct, it should not cost you $200.00. My fees are 150.00 for 3 hours, but I always tell my clients to start with 1 hour at 45.00. A good career counselor will maximize your time and money by having you work on pre-required information, not to waste your time. I think that the other post gives good advice, however the problem with the career counselors at a college are also linked with admissions, and school may not be the route you are looking for and you will spend more money and time on what you do not need and still be in the same position with more debt. Besides owning my own career consulting firm, I also work for public in private colleges/educational institutions so that is my honest and professional knowledge. My website is currently under-construction for the new year, put please feel free to contact me at

cpprofessionalconsultants.com or csp2225@gmail.com

 

I think I can be of some assistance to you.

Best of Luck.

MA Education

MA Psychology

Ph.Dc