This post is to give a critical comment on service provided by Careers Scotland on Shandwick Place. I will give my example.
Not so long ago I decided to go to Shandwick Place to CS because I wanted my CV to be checked by a professional career adviser. When creating my CV I followed tips given by Elaine from Careers Service at Napier. When I went to CS and met the careers adviser I stated clearly what I wanted her to do. I asked her to check my personal prifile as I wasn't sure if it was strong enough. I told her I was going to apply for one post and showed the post to her. I was shocked by what I received from that career adviser.
First: she never checked what that job post was about, what was person specification or what did that job involved.
Second: she never checked all my CV. I mentioned to her I had had a placement with CS in Edinburgh and that I had put that detail in CV as well. She never checked that either.
Third: after I had mentioned I was a student doing postgrad. course at Napier in Career Guidance she went on to Planitplus website to show me what does Careers Adviser do and what skills are required. She also gave me some handouts with CV samples. I was absolutely disappointed as I had mentioned her before I had CV samples already. Those CV samples were given during CV workshops I had attended when I was on my placement. So I knew all that very well. Moreover, I did not need to find out what does careers adviser's job involve as I am studying to become a careers adviser so I know that as well!
Fourth: I was even more disappointed and shocked after she told me to remove my Master Degree from my CV! At first I had thought I might not understand her so I made sure what she ment. She told me to keep PG Diploma in Career Guidance in my CV and she said that my Master Degree was not 'relevant' and that I did not need it at all. I was absolutely confused and I thought 'how can I remove 5 years of my higher education fro my Cv?!' She also told me to remove information about my language certificate!
I can see that service provided by Napier is completely different from that in CS. What I got in CS was not enough and information I had received was the same that were given during CV workshop I attended at Shandwick Place. I knew that already.
I was observing that career adviser who was working with me and I noticed she did not even establish report with me, neither she paid attention to what I was saying. She never gave me information on privacy and confidentiality issues. She could had done that before I mentioned I had a placement with CS. She did not know I was a careers guidance student so she should have informed me about those things earlier on. Additionally, she never asked me whay I wanted to apply for the post I had told her about.
In overall, I did not find anythigh in her way of work that could apply to what I have learned during my course. During my interview practice I learned that establishing report and asking questions is essential for a good interaction with a client. I never saw that on that day.
I had a feeling I had not received a professional advice and that my CV was not checekd as it should be checked. I was completely disappointed and I do not think I will go there again.
Inspiration from Graduation!
16 years ago
My experience with Careers Scotland on Shandwick Place was kind of similar. I didn’t receive any useful information and advice related to my CV!!! It is true that the person who I spoke to didn’t really care to give proper advice. This is a real shame as they are representing the organisation!!! I understand that they focus on school leavers mainly, but to give you printouts from the Planit Plus website that is a bit thoughtless!!!!!!!! Careers Scotland advertises themselves as a service for all ages, but are they able to help people of all skill levels, education and experience? This is especially important in the current climate, as there are many more skilled and educated workers who are out of work, and so will look to a Careers Adviser for help. Obviously in this case there wasn’t any rapport between the client and practitioner. This is a huge disappointment, especially for people like us who have been taught this is one of the main parts when interviewing a client…
ReplyDeleteIt is very disappointing to hear of these experiences. We are lucky - we know other places and people we can go to for help. But what if we didn't, and had just walked off the street? I fear there must be a lot of people who are completely discouraged and feel badly let down by the 'service'.
ReplyDeleteThis was far from a professional service that you got, and very disheartening for us to hear given the fact that this person was supposed to be a fully qualified careers adviser. The good thing is that you know that you would give a better service yourself, so if we are to learn anything from this I think that it should be that!
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