Continuous learning and professional growth are indispensable for career development professionals who guide others in their career journeys.
Deni and Kris, our experienced recruitment colleagues at talaint by Human Recruiters, recently obtained the Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) certification to enrich their expertise further. Their motivation stems from a desire to expand their knowledge and offer more insightful, personalised advice to the professionals they collaborate with.
Throughout their certification journey, they have acquired valuable insights and practical tools that bridge the gap between recruitment and career counselling, enabling them to match candidates with fulfilling career paths better. We were eager to ask them a few questions, and their responses were spot-on. Check them out now:
1. What motivated you to pursue the GCDF credential?
Deni: I pursued the GCDF certification to advance my Psychology education and gain credibility in my field. It allows me to advise people on potential qualifications for their career paths and offers comprehensive training in career development theories and ethical practices.
Kris: The subject of career development resonated with me almost magically when I studied Organizational Psychology several years ago at the University of Bern. It sparked my interest but also deepened my understanding of the various factors that shape and influence an individual’s career over time. It captivated me like no other psychological topic before. Pursuing the GCDF certification, on the other hand, provides me with the structure and practical framework necessary for effectively guiding others in understanding and navigating their career choices.
2. Now that you’re a certified career consultant, what would you do differently when approaching professionals with career advice?
Deni: I would incorporate up-to-date labour market information and industry trends into my advice, helping professionals make informed decisions based on current and future job market conditions. Furthermore, I would strongly emphasise using formal assessments to understand one’s strengths, interests, values, and personality. This data-driven approach would allow me to provide more tailored advice that aligns with their unique profile.
Kris: Now that I’m a certified career consultant, I will listen carefully and ask more questions.
3. Can you describe the challenges you faced during the 120-hour training and how you overcame them?
Deni: During the training, I struggled with the mock interviews. I’m not very talkative and prefer to get straight to the point. To make the interviews more efficient, I prepared a list of questions grouped by topics such as ‘professional life’, ‘education’, ‘personal life’, ‘hobbies’, and ‘relationships’. This helped me structure the session and better understand the person I consulted.
Kris: There were hardly any significant challenges. The Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) in Sofia provided one of the best courses I have ever participated in. Additionally, I was fortunate to be part of a diverse group of professionals who were experienced, open-minded, and enthusiastic about discussing the various facets of career counselling.
4. You’re a recruiter. Why would you need a GCDF certification? Where do these two intersect?
Deni: As recruiters, we speak with many people about job opportunities daily. Funny enough, many people we encounter don’t know what they want to become when they grow up. Occasionally, they dislike their career path and need assistance correcting this. This is where we come in, and our expertise as career advisers, especially the tools we can provide, comes in handy. We can’t choose the right career for a person, but we can point them towards choosing one by considering their strengths, interests, and drives.
Kris: This is an excellent question. An agency recruiter typically involves building a pool of suitable candidates for a specific role, meeting with them, discussing their qualifications, and presenting them to the company that sought external recruitment support. On the other hand, a career counsellor’s work is to help individuals understand and navigate their career paths, aligning their skills and aspirations with potential opportunities. The overlap lies in the shared goal of aligning candidates with roles where they can thrive. The GCDF certification equips me with deeper insights and structured approaches to support candidates in finding a job and making informed, fulfilling career decisions.
5. What is the best career advice you would give to junior people? And to senior ones?
Deni: Research your options. Regardless of being a junior or senior, you will most likely work 8 hours a day, five days a week. Or, if this is not for you, choose a job that will allow you more flexibility. But to choose a satisfying career (and these 8 hours/day don’t feel like a waste of time), you can compile a list of your strengths, your interests, and even your weaknesses and dislikes; then you can get a better idea of what jobs will be suitable for you. And if this feels like a lot of effort, you can always go to a career advisor who will help you find your dream job (or at least they’ll give you the tools to see it yourself).
Kris: I don’t believe there’s a one-size-fits-all ‘best career advice’ for either young or experienced professionals, but if I had to choose, it would be this: ‘Always strive to discover what you’re good at. Learn, read, experiment, and test yourself—then continuously build upon those strengths.’ This approach fosters growth and leads to a more fulfilling and successful career, regardless of where you are on your professional journey.
(For junior professionals, it’s crucial to be adaptable and open to learning new skills, as the early stages of a career are about exploration and growth. I would advise senior professionals to stay curious and open to new ideas while embracing the mentor role, sharing their knowledge and experience to guide the next generation.)
In conclusion:
The dynamic world of career development, self-discovery and professional advancement are enriching. Deni and Kris’s pursuit of the GCDF certification demonstrates their dedication to advancing their careers and assisting others in making informed and fulfilling choices.
We can assert that anyone has the potential to build a career that is not merely a job but rather a calling.
