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Frequently asked questions

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  • Can I phone you in the first instance to ask questions about your career counselling and coaching services?
    Yes, please feel very welcome to give me a call. You can ask any questions you may have and I can get a little background on where you or a family member is up to career wise.
  • Why are you called Revolution Careers?
    We are in a revolution - whether we like it or not! Currently, we are moving out of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), a period characterized by the seamless integration of the physical, digital, and biological worlds, fueled by innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and the internet of things (IoT). The next phase, the the Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR), is nearly upon us. It will be driven by the continued evolution of AI, particularly technologies like GPT models. These models represent more than mere tools; they are cognitive partners set to redefine societal structures, economies, and the very essence of human existence. The 5IR promises a future where AI is not just an auxiliary function but a core component of our cognitive processes, enhancing our decision making, creativity and interaction with the world around us.
  • Is Revolution Careers Counselling for me?
    If you believe any of the following, Revolution Careers Counselling is not for you! 1. I can work out my career and my life direction myself. It’s working wonderfully thus far. 2. I should just be grateful I have a job. 3. My children receive great career counselling at school/uni/TAFE. Check in with your son/daughter on this one. 4. Young people today are too soft and think that life owes them a living. You don’t have to like your job, just do it and live for the weekends. 5. If I keep my head down, I’ll keep my job and be OK. 6. My current job pays well, so I just need to suck up the fact that I hate going to work most days. Also, my partner/friends/family all really enjoy my regular debriefs about how I am undervalued, unhappy, bored, frustrated etc. 7. Career counselling is expensive (2 days income using the average Australian wage). 8. I really do not believe in the idea of a vocation rather than a job. 9. I am too scared to change, life is hard and I’ll be dead soon anyway.
  • How do I book a Career Counselling service?
    Bookings can be made online via the Bookings tab on the Revolution Careers website. Bookings can also be made by phone.
  • I don't like my job but am afraid of change. I seem to constantly slip into self limiting thoughts and behaviours that undermine my confidence.
    Writer Annie Dillard famously said, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” For many of us, a large portion of our days is spent at work; in fact, the average person will spend 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime. So it’s safe to say your job makes a huge impact on your quality of life. Deciding that you are entitled to work in an area that you find meaningful, authentic and enjoyable will always be the most important decision you will ever make. Do not let fear, self limiting thoughts and behaviours undermine your confidence and fundamental right to pursue a vocation that fulfills you.
  • How do I pay for a service?
    You can pay online via the Bookings page, or via card over the phone any time before our first session. Zip Pay is also available on the Bookings page. See the steps for paying via Zip Pay on the FAQ page 'Do you offer Zip Pay?'
  • Do you offer Zip Pay?
    Yes, you can pay for any of Revolution Careers services using Zip's Single-Use Card feature via the Zip App or Web Wallet. Here are the steps to take: 1. Choose Credit/Debit Cards on the Revolution Careers 'Payment' page. 2. Open your Zip Pay app and choose Cards on the menu at the bottom of the page. 3. Scroll down and choose 'Shopping Online?' 4. Zip will then generate a Single Use Card. 5. Enter the card details for a secure online checkout.
  • Do I need to prepare anything before my session?
    No, there is no need to prepare anything before the start of your session. Arrive relaxed and ready to have a great experience finding out exactly what career suits you best and the best pathway to get there !
  • How long does it take to complete the Strong Career Interest Report®?
    You will complete the Strong Career Interest Report® as part of our face to face meeting via video call. The Strong is a career interest tool that predicts your career interest areas with great accuracy. It takes just 20 minutes to complete. We review the results and find the career best suited to your personality, values and potentials. Revolution Careers is the only career counselling service in Australia that then provides carefully chosen, independent recommendations from the vast array of higher education, training other career pathways on offer.
  • I am looking for a career or job change but have completed a career interest assessment before. Do I need to take the Strong Interest Inventory?
    The Strong Interest Inventory is the world's leading career interest profiling instrument with very high reliability and validity ratings. The Strong is a career interest 'quiz' that accurately predicts your career interest areas based on your personality type. It only takes about 20 minutes to complete. There are hundreds of instruments in the public realm that have no demonstrated academic credibility. This one works!
  • Is the Strong Career Interest Profile® a test? And is it difficult?
    No, the Strong Career Inventory® is not a test. It is a profile that uses a career quiz of your interests and is not difficult in any way. In fact, most people really enjoy this part of the process. Basically you are finding out what is of real interest to you in life and ignoring all the things that are not!
  • I am in my forties. Is it too late to make a career change?
    Given that we spend around 90,000 hours at work - either working for someone else, with someone else, or doing our own thing - it is never too late to make a change. At age forty you have about 45,000 hours to either enjoy or 'tolerate'! So if you feel you are currently 'spinning your wheels' in an unsatisfying occupation, it's clearly time to take some action and move into a role that aligns with your interests and values. No regrets!
  • Can parents or carers attend Student Career Counselling Program® career counselling sessions with their son or daughter?
    Parents do not attend the Student Career Counselling Program® career counselling session with their daughter or son. However with the young person's permission, the specific details of the 'Action Plan' describing the chosen career area and the selected education/training pathways to be undertaken, can be provided to parents or carers.
  • My child has already done a career aptitude assessment at school. How is the Strong Career Interest Inventory different?
    The Strong Career Interest Inventory is the world's leading professional level instrument with very high (.05) reliability and validity properties. Schools do not provide this type of assessment. The Strong is fundamentally a career interests 'quiz' that predicts your career interest areas with incredible accuracy. It takes about 20 minutes to complete.
  • Do you provide guidance on suitable higher education and further training and education providers?
    Yes, Revolution Careers is the only career counselling service in Australia that provides carefully chosen recommendations for the vast array of higher education, training, rebranding and other appropriate pathways that will lead to the careers in which my clients are interested. Having worked extensively in Australian and international universities and colleges, I can recommend exactly which pathway is best for you, why it is the perfect fit and most importantly, exactly how to make it happen!
  • Can Revolution Careers help with Year 11 and Year 12 subject choices?"
    The Student Career Counselling Program® is ideal for assisting students with their Year 11 and Year 12 subject choices. Informed subject choices will ensure they will meet the specific subject requirements of the tertiary programs they wish to undertake.
  • What are your business hours?
    Revolution Careers' hours are 10 am - 6 pm Tuesday to Friday and 10 am - 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Phone inquiries are welcome 7 days a week from 10 am to 7 pm. I love my job!
  • How are Revolution Careers services delivered?
    All career counselling and coaching services are delivered one on one face to face online via Skype.
  • Is career counselling tax deductible?
    Career development counselling can be tax deductible. Please consult your tax professional for advice.
  • Why do so many higher education students not complete their degrees?
    The non completion rate in Australian universities is still around 33%. So around one in every three students do not graduate in the program in which they enrolled. There are arguably many reasons for this very high attrition rate. However not receiving professional level career counselling and higher education advice before enrolment is clearly a major contributor to program withdrawals, and the accompanying frustration and stress that inevitably follows.
  • Is a Bachelor of Arts a good degree?
    With a wide variety of majors and electives to choose from a Bachelor of Arts degree gives you the freedom to design your own skillset. You learn to think critically, to innovate, collaborate and communicate for the future world of work in a way that many vocationally focussed degrees do not offer e.g. engineering, information technology, medicine etc. Most importantly, you will become highly literate and capable of demonstarting your unique personality and skills in a competitive job market, where these attributes combined with innovation and flexibily are now prized above all else. The best way to prepare for a successful career is to master the skills that artificial intelligence never will and that employers demand. LinkedIn's recent research on the job skills most sought after by employers in 2021, found that the four most-wanted 'soft skills' were creativity, persuasion, collaboration and adaptability. Developing and demonstarting these skills will lead to exciting, rewarding and futureproof careers.
  • At what age can a young person complete the Student Career Counselling Program®?
    Young people from 14 years of age e.g. Year 9 level, can complete the Student Career Counselling Program®. Knowing where they are going in life and finding the specific higher education or training pathway to make it happen is incredibly empowering for young people. Years 10, 11 and 12 can be rather stressful for many young people. However when they know exactly where they are going and how they will get there it makes these years a whole lot more manageable - for themselves and their parents/carers alike! The Student Career Counselling Program® is also the only career counselling program in Australia that provide young people with individualized recommendations on the higher education and training courses best suited to their individual needs.
  • I am in need of a career change but feel I have little to put on my resume in terms of courses and qualifications. How can you help when I don't feel I have much to offer?
    I have worked with many people who can offer valuable skills, knowledge and experience without formal qualifications. Some may opt to take on extra training or qualifications as part of their career change or reinvention plan. Regarding resumes, many people 'hide their light' by not knowing how to best present themselves to prospective employers. These days a very well put together resume is crucial to get to interview. This should be completed by interview preparation with an experienced specialist so that you can do your best at interview and get the position.
  • What types of skills do I now need to be successful in my career?
    The future of work is not only about hard skills, it is increasingly about holistic job skills. Employers now look for more than just task-oriented or technical skills. Organsations want people with an eye for detail, creative problem solving skills, a high level of emotional intellegence, flexibility, a collbarative mindset and an ability to deal with ambuiguity and complexity. Current research across every area of the new world of work, especially since Covid19, clearly shows the importance of human interatction and clear communication skills and aptitudes in the new economy. 'People and culture' is the new focus, with employers and employees wanting to create environments that are also people based, and not only focused on technical skills and productivity.
  • Do you provide help with higher education preferences e.g. SATAC, VTAC, UAC?"
    Yes, Revolution Careers provides Higher Education Selection Sessions covering all aspects of selecting university and technical college programs offered anywhere in Australia. .
  • How would I benefit from career coaching?
    Career Coaching Sessions can be focussed on advancing in your current role, applying for a new position, or creating your own career opportunity by building a sustainable business. They also provide a great opportunity to develop the job search and employability skills you need to get the job you want​, receive expert advice on all kinds of education and training options available to give you an edge in the employment marketplace, and to fully use the power of your personal career brand via a high performing resume and LinkedIn profile.
  • Will Revolution Careers help me find a job?
    Revolution Careers is not a recruitment agency and so does not seek to match people with specific jobs. Rather, Revolution Careers will work with you to help you understand what drives you and then help to identify those occupations and career preparation pathways that best suit your needs, values, goals and personality. This is actually the best and fastest way to find your ideal job!
  • I am worried about getting overwhelmed in the career counselling process.
    A really important part of the career counselling process is to take things slowly - ‘baby steps’ win the day ever time. Whether it’s getting fit, learning an instrument, learning a new job skill, or navigating your way to your ideal career, it is much better to empower yourself with small, incremental steps. This way you apply a bit of behavioural reinforcement (!) to yourself, rewarding yourself with steady progress. Getting ‘unstuck’ and being clear about what you want, matched with a doable action plan will get you where you want to be in your life in the shortest possible time.
  • Will the Career Counselling Program I undertake include a practical and achievable career action plan?
    Career counselling should always be practical, stepwise and actionable to ensure you get you to where you want to be. This includes finding the most suitable pathway/s. It may be selecting the right secondary school subjects, choosing the most appropriate higher education or further vocational training, 'rebranding' your current experience, knowledge and skills to match a new opportunity, reengineering a current role, or planning a pathway to self-employment. The Career Action Plan Session® ​is a follow up session available to career counselling program clients. It provides: * Practical support and advice to focus and follow through on your career goals and pathways * Address any doubts or self limiting behaviours that may be affecting your progress * Problem solving and guidance on any specific pathway challenges you may be experiencing * Expert advice on fully leveraging your education, training or skills development career pathway
  • What is the Strong Interest Inventory® and why does it use personality types?
    When I first started out working as a career counsellor in universities I decided I needed a very good career interest assessment tool. The Strong Interest Inventory was and still is, the world's best professional level instrument. It is based on consistent research results that demonstrate that people are happier and most productive when their career choice matches their personality. It is essentially a career quiz that accurately predicts your career personality type. It only takes about 20 minutes to complete. Here is a basic summary of the 6 Strong Personality Types: Realistic Likes to work with animals, tools, or machines; generally avoids social activities like teaching, healing, and informing others Has good skills in working with tools, mechanical or electrical drawings, machines, or plants and animals Values practical things you can see, touch, and use like plants and animals, tools, equipment, or machines; and Sees self as practical, mechanical and realistic. Social Likes to do things to help people - like, teaching, nursing, or giving first aid, providing information; generally avoids using machines, tools, or animals to achieve a goal Is good at teaching, counselling, nursing, or giving information Values helping people and solving social problems; and Sees self as helpful, friendly and trustworthy. Investigative Likes to study and solve math or science problems; generally avoids leading, selling, or persuading people Is good at understanding and solving science and math problems Values science; and Sees self as precise, scientific and intellectual. Enterprising Likes to lead and persuade people, and to sell things and ideas; generally avoids activities that require careful observation and scientific, analytical thinkingIs good at leading people and selling things or ideas Values success in politics, leadership, or business; and Sees self as energetic, ambitious and sociable. Artistic Likes to do creative activities like art, drama, crafts, dance, music, or creative writing; generally avoids highly ordered or repetitive activities Has good artistic abilities - in creative writing, drama, crafts, music, or art Values the creative arts - like drama, music, art, or the works of creative writers; and Sees self as expressive, original and independent. Conventional Likes to work with numbers, records, or machines in a set, orderly way; generally avoids ambiguous, unstructured activities Is good at working with written records and numbers in a systematic, orderly way Values success in business; and Sees self as orderly and good at following a set plan.
  • Is the Student Career Counselling Program® suitable for university students, TAFE students and graduates?"
    The Student Career Counselling Program® provides higher education students and graduates with the necessary focus and practical strategies to gain employment in their field of choice. They learn how to manage your own career and leverage their qualifications to get the type of jobs they want.
  • Year 12 is really stressful! How can Revolution Careers help?
    The Youth Career Counselling Program® significantly reduces the stress for Year 12 students (and their parents/carers!). The Program provides a clear self-understanding of a young person's interests and potentials. The Program then guides them to the most suitable higher education or training options for their chosen careers. Knowing exactly what uni or TAFE program to apply for relieves a lot of the stress and apprehension experienced by Year 12 students, who typically have little idea of what they want to do after school. Revolution Careers takes away the guesswork and empowers young people with a surety and confidence that makes Year 12 a lot easier to navigate - for everyone 😊!
  • Do young people like career counselling and really get involved?
    Young people invariably take to career counselling very well (particularly online) often to the surprise of parents/carers! They soon realise they are now - maybe for the first time - taking an active role in what they want to do with their lives. Naturally, this sense of self direction is what we all want and it is a great motivator.
  • What is the difference between a job and a vocation?
    As I am often wont to say, I don't want to help people get a job! I really want them to get a vocation. Sometimes we can get a bit lost 'tilting at windmills' but career counselling provides a terrific opportunity to take a little time to find your way to a career - and a 'congruent life' - that best matches your personality, your interest and most importantly your values.
  • How do you help higher education students and graduates?
    The Career Start Program provides higher education students and graduates with the necessary focus and practical strategies to gain employment in their field of choice. They learn how to manage your own career and leverage their qualifications to get the type of jobs they want.
  • What is career counselling really about for someone like myself who is looking for a change and a better life?
    I get variations of this kind of questions a lot! Fundamentally I am in the business of helping people like yourself who are motivated to make meaningful changes in their lives that lead to a 'congruent' life. The humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers described congruence as a state in which a person's ideal self and actual experience are consistent. In a nutshell, this is what I would be helping you achieve. Together with a practical and straightforward plan to make it happen 😊 .
  • My anxiety levels are pretty high at the moment, as is the case with a lot of my friends. Will career counselling help lower my stress and if so, how?
    Anxiety levels in Australia are currently at an all-time high, with Covid-19 a major contributor. In addition to the threat to one's health, people are also experiencing the challenge of dealing with rapid and deep changes to the way they live their lives. But change (whether we want it or not!) always offers opportunities. Taking a little time to assess what you really want and how to make it happen, is a very effective way to deal with situational stress and regain a strong sense of self direction and purpose in your life.
  • My son is very confused by all the possible careers on offer today. Can Revolution Careers help with this?
    'The sponge is full' is an apt description for the sense of overwhelm felt by a lot of young people today. Career counselling removes the clutter and misinformation. It empowers young people to focus on what matters to them and the type of career that will offer them a strong sense of meaning and purpose.
  • Is TAFE a good option for school leavers and career changers?
    TAFE is Australia's largest vocational education and training provider. TAFE SA delivers job-focused training from industry experts across a wide range of industries from entry-level certificates to bachelor degrees. TAFE programs focus on practical, hands-on skills and experience. This results in students graduating with the skills employers value. The TAFESA Cert 4 in Cyber Security is a good example of a job-ready career pathway, with a number of Revolution Careers clients having completed this course and immediately finding employment.
  • How would describe the career counselling process in a 'nutshell'?
    Career counselling should always be straightforward, transparent in terms of the process and enjoyable, as it is designed to enlighten and empower individuals with choices. Career counselling should also always result in a practical step-wise plan that helps get people to where they wish to be in their lives.
  • I want my children to have a vocation, not just a job! Is this the approach you take at Revolution Careers?
    Individual career counselling is rare in schools, as is the provision of reliable career interest assessments administered by qualified career counsellors. This contributes to the confusion and stress experienced by many young people, particularly in upper secondary, who are overwhelmed already and unsure of their futures. Revolution Careers' programs focus on the individual (anything else is really an untenable compromise) and all include the Strong Interest Inventory®, the world's leading professional level career interest assessment instrument with very high (.05) reliability and validity properties. Recently one of my young clients impressed me when she spoke of about "entering her vocation" and this is exactly the point. We want our kids to have a vocation, not just a job!
  • I really want my daughter to get some clarity about her career choices. How is this achieved?
    Clarity about their career choices is key for young people. This clarity is achieved when a young person is given the career counselling time and support, to find a vocation that aligns seamlessly with their personality, interests and values. I use the Strong Career Interest Inventory in all my work. The Strong is a professional level career interest tool that uses a career quiz format to accurately align the young person's personality type with specific career options. It takes just 20 minutes to complete. The results are then interpreted by myself and my client. A clear Career Action Plan is then put into action.
  • My daughter is interested in a career in the creative industries. Is there a demand in the workforce?
    The creative industries sector in Australia is experiencing a high growth rate with a lot of demand for talented creatives - who have received appropriate education and training - right across the spectrum from production to performance. To address skill shortages in a range of employment areas - including the creative industries - the Australian Government is currently subsidizing a number of TAFE and university programs. A young Revolution Careers client recently auditioned for and was offered a place in the Diploma in Music (Performance) at Southbank TAFE in Brisbane. The Diploma fee is normally over $14,000 but this year she will complete the course for under $200! From my client: "John helped me to understand how I can make a career in music as a professional singer and musician. I have now gained a place in the Diploma in Music (Performance) at Southbank TAFE."
  • Why do so many university students drop out, especially in first year?
    There are several reasons why so many university students drop out in Australia, including: Financial difficulties Lack of academic preparation or support Mental health issues Balancing work and study Personal or family reasons Lack of interest in the course or career path Difficulty adapting to university life. It is important to note that each student's experience is unique, and the reasons for dropping out can vary greatly. Revolution Careers' Student Career Counselling Program is focussed not only on helping young people and mature age students find the career best suited to their values and interets, but also showing them the most suitable education or training pathway to prepare them for their career of choice.
  • Why do you use personality type in your career counselling?
    Your personality type and the very particular way you express your dominant personality traits, are the most accurate predictors of the types of vocations where you will find a real sense of meaning and purpose i.e. your perfect career. This is why I use the Strong Interest Inventory® with all my career counselling clients. It is essentially a career quiz that accurately predicts your career personality type. It takes about 20 minutes to complete during your first session. It is only available to professional career counsellors with appropriate post graduate qualifications and training (e.g. psychology, counselling). The Strong is the world's most reliable instrument for predicting areas of career suitability. A little science can go a long way!
  • I really want to 'row my own boat' in life. How will Revolution Careers help me manage that?
    I've often said to people I have helped over the years, that I wish I had a career counsellor when I was young and rather lost. I remember trying to get some help at an Education Department vocational guidance centre in Melbourne, a three hour drive from my home town in rural Victoria, only to be dispatched to a 'Reading Room' to somehow sort it out for myself! Stories like this are still all too common today. The good news is that when you do find a professional career counsellor who is actually interested in your future, the guidance and support you receive will set you up for a fulfilling life of your own design.
  • I am not sure I have anything special to offer?
    A lifetime of career and personal counselling experience has shown me that EVERYONE (!) has a gift and a raison d'etre. My vocation is helping people find it.
  • I want to make a career change but need to know there is some 'science' in the way Revolution Careers can help me. Do you use a reliable psychometric tool to assess my suitability for certain careers?
    I use the Strong Interest Inventory in my career counselling programs. It is the world's most highly regarded, reliable career interest assessment tool and removes any bias or 'guesswork'. It is also a lot of fun for clients to use as it has the uncanny knack of cutting to the essence of what people are - and are not - interested in. We spend about 90,000 hours at work in our lifetime. We should enjoy and find meaning in that work.
  • Do the Career Counselling Program® and the Student Career Counselling Program® both include 'low stress', confidence-building action plans? I am a bit overwhelmed at the moment and don't need more stress!
    The Career Counselling Program® and Student Career Counselling Program® are designed to ensure that all necessary actions are broken down for you into small, readily achievable steps. Whilst clarity and positive change is guaranteed , it is important that people are not overwhelmed and that the change process is an affirming and empowering experience.
  • I really want to make changes in my life and finding a better career is the first thing I want to do. However I am frightened of what big changes might bring. How can I tell whether I can handle this challenge?
    A few words about overcoming obstacles from the wonderful writer Paulo Coelho: “When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back.”
  • Covid-19 has turned my world and I am sure millions of other people's worlds, upside down. I have heard it can also offer an opportunity to make a positive change. How does this work?
    Covid-19 has and continues to be a major challenge for us all. However like most challenges it is providing an opportunity for people to act and think differently. I suggest this is particularly so in vocational terms. What we do and how we do it is becoming much more fluid, so we now have many more choices. I feel that the power to make those choices is a bit of a surprise for many people, who are realizing that perhaps they actually have the right to be happy and fulfilled in their careers. This is as opposed to the 'groundhog day' experience where, as Albert Einstein put it: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” And to make the necessary changes, investment supremo Warren Buffett advises: "By far the best investment you can make is in yourself."
  • Everything is moving so fast in my career area at the moment. How do I adapt while staying sane!
    In 1900 human knowledge doubled approximately every 100 years. By the end of 1945, the rate was every 25 years. Currently the best estimate is that the volume of knowledge is doubling every 12 hours. The speed at which technology is progressing is the driver, upending our careers, transforming our lives and disrupting economies. So I suggest the idea of avoiding all this change is a bad one! The good news is that by finding out what you really want to do with your life, you can take advantage of rapid change and disruption rather than be afraid of it. Find your vocation first. Then just adopt whatever technologies and constantly evolving knowledge and skills, that will help you do what YOU do and enjoy better. 😊
  • My work has become so repetitious and boring. I am good at what I do but this no longer feels enough for me. Am I asking too much to want a more interesting life?
    I work with people from fourteen years of age through to people in their sixties, and sometimes older. Younger or older, we all actually have a lot of time on our hands to live congruent lives i.e. lives that reflect a strong a match between our psychological attributes and our behaviours. On average, we Australians live for about 80 years or 29,200 days. You will spend about 10,000 of those days at work (hopefully in a vocation and not just a job). So Carpe Diem (!) and do what interests you and aligns with your gifts and values. The alternative looks a bit like that movie 'Groundhog Day'....! I actually think the wonderful Bill Murray should receive an honorary doctorate in vocational psychology 😊 for his portrayal of someone who, eventually, decided he could and would change his life because it was not giving him any joy or positive sense of self. It's never too late to be yourself.
  • My employer - for the first time ! - has asked me what I want support for this year in terms of my professional development. How do you suggest I think about this?
    With the current rate of change in the world, ongoing professional development in whatever area you may work is paramount for your success and job security. Of course if you are not fulfilled in your current work the idea of ‘more of the same’ is no doubt not particularly attractive! The first thing to do is to get some help and make the time to look carefully at what you really want to spend your days doing. Once you establish the what, the how to make it happen is fairly straightforward. As Miles Davis said “It takes a long time to learn to play like yourself”. So perhaps it’s time to work out the what, apply the how and start playing like yourself.
  • Will the Career Counselling Program help me get more focus and act on on what career I want to move into? I seem to be all over the place, even though I am motivated to make a change.
    When we lack focus we can become overwhelmed i.e. too much to do and too little time. Mostly it is not that there is too much to do. It's more that we don't know where to start and this is always stressful. As you gain clarity by understanding what is really important to you - and ignoring the rest - you will stop feeling overwhelmed and immediately lower your stress levels. You can see what you need to do, take appropriate actions and acknowledge that you are making progress. Baby steps work best! We create our own worlds every day, so make sure your path and your destination is clear.
  • What if I am too scared to change careers?
    "There are lots of reasons why people stay in their comfort zones, like the riskiness of a new step, the fear of inconsistent income or pressure from others. And while starting anything new poses challenges, you don’t want fear to keep you from pursuing your dreams. People hold themselves back with their own excuses. They talk themselves out of going after what they want. But, once they realize they’ve been building a case against themselves, they’re able to stop saying “What if…” and start saying “Why not…” If you’re guilty of saying (or even thinking) any the following lines, consider this a sign that you’re holding yourself back." 1. “I’m Happy Enough Where I Am” 2. “It's Not Financially Possible” 3. “I've Already Invested Too Much” 4. “I’ll Disappoint People I Care About” From Harper Spero, New York City-based business and career transition coach. See copy of complete article here.
  • How can career coaching and career mentoring and help me?
    I am a great believer in coaching and mentoring. Trying to do everything on your own is a very slow and usually unproductive exercise. I actually feel that, psychologically, the idea that we can somehow be across everything in a complex world is a sure-fire way to quickly become overwhelmed. This in turn, usually results in doing nothing at all 😢. So ask for some help. Learn from someone who has spent a long time (perhaps a lifetime) developing knowledge and experience that will help you identify and achieve your goals. It's a LOT faster this way!
  • Do you provide career counselling services for NDIS clients?
    Whilst Revolution Careers is not a ' Registered NDIS Provider', I provide all my career counselling and career coaching services to NDIS clients who receive their funding support as 'Self-Managed Clients'. Self-management is when you manage your NDIS funding yourself. It gives you the flexibility and choice to decide what supports you buy to pursue your plan goals. See this link for details: https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/using-your-plan/self-management
  • There are so many different careers to consider. How do you keep up with it all?
    A big part of my work is keeping up to date on the ever-changing world of occupations and sharing what I find with my clients, and via my web site blogs, Instagram posts and other forms of digital media. New occupations are being created every day, offering people a wonderful variety of vocational opportunities. My role here is acting as a 'translator' who turns often raw information into actionable knowledge and career pathways. For someone with strong 'Enterprising, Social, Artistic' personality traits, this type of activity is a good natural fit for my values and interests. Are you wondering what your 'career personality type' may be?!
  • What if I am not sure if I am passionate about anything?
    The notion of being passionate about anything is something a lot of people (particularly Australians?) seem to have a little trouble with e.g. '"I wouldn't say I was passionate about...." However I feel that having an intense feeling about, say, what you are interested in and how you want to spend your days, is a very good thing and one to encourage in yourself and others. The alternative is to mosey along on the surface of the life you are given, too afraid to engage with what you really want to do and end up regretting that you never 'backed yourself'. Be brave. Be yourself. As the saying goes 'Everyone else is taken'!
  • Do your think I should rely on my instincts about the kind of career I really want?
    "Your mind knows only some things. Your inner voice, your instinct, knows everything. If you listen to what you know instinctively, it will always lead you down the right path." Henry Winkler
  • I feel I need more insight and clarity concerning my career direction. Do you consider these things to be important for success in one's career and life in general?
    French microbiologist and chemist Louis Pasteur, renowned for his discoveries of the principles of vaccination, microbial fermentation and pasteurization famously said: “In the fields of observation chance favours only the prepared mind.” This has been one of my guiding principles in life as a career counsellor helping people to get clear about what they want. Specifically, if you get some help to discover exactly what you want to do with your life, then plan and take the necessary practical steps to create the best possible opportunities for success, you will eliminate any confusion and achieve any goal you have set for yourself. Insight and clarity are the keys to success.
  • Do you work with people who have been professionally diagnosed as experiencing a level of autism?
    It is estimated that 1 in 70 people are on the autism spectrum. Autism is a condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, interacts with others, and experiences their environment. Every Autistic person is different to every other. This is why autism is described as a ‘spectrum’. Australia’s largest service provider for people on the autism spectrum, ASPECT https://www.autismspectrum.org.au/ describes autism as "a different brilliant®". Revolution Careers has successfully helped many clients who have been professionally diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. Areas of strength and interest vary but include: * Logical or visual thinking, persistence, eye for detail, good skills with technology, memory for facts and figures * Very strong focus on specific interest areas * Deep interest in typical topics such as Pokémon, sport, Disney or trains or more unusual topics * Up to 20% of Autistic people have exceptional or above average skills in one or more areas such as reading, maths, art, mechanics, music, memory etc. And here is a link to a good video on autism, made by someone diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum: diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum: https://www.google.com/search?q=Autism+diagnosis+criteria%3A+explained+(DSM-5)+Yo+Samdy+Sam&rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBAU925AU925&oq=Autism+diagnosis+criteria%3A+explained+(DSM-5)++Yo+Samdy+Sam&aqs=chrome..69i57.1536j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:0e549395,vid:1yva4RZW_s0
  • Do you work with people who have been professionally diagnosed as experiencing a level of ADHD?
    Revolution Careers has successfully helped many clients who have been professionally diagnosed as experiencing a level of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). There are three types of ADHD: Hyperactivity Type, Inattentive Type, and Combined Type - the most comon form of ADHD. ADHD Australia estimate the prevalence in Australia to be about one in twenty people (5%). However ADHD is often misunderstood and under-diagnosed. Key features of ADHD are inattention, distractibility, hyperactivity and impulsivity. ADHD may also be linked to other co-ocurring mental health conditions. Untreated ADHD can cause lifetime impairment; however there are effective ways of managing ADHD. Follow the link below for a good primer on ADHD for anyone interested in increasing their understanding of this mental health condition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouZrZa5pLXk And follow this link for a clear guide to testing for ADHD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH4UzMcbmjU
  • Will Revolution Careers be able to help me choose exactly which type of education or training I am going to need to get into my career?
    Yes. Revolution Careers is the only career counselling service in Australia that has over many years, built up and continually maintains, a database of over 3,000 professionally recognised career and educational/training pathways that lead to the career of an individual's choosing. This is an essential part of the Career Action Plan that is included in the Career Counselling Program® and Student Career Counselling Program®.
  • What is Revolution Careers' Booking Policy?
    Please note that Revolution Careers does not provide refunds on services that have been booked. However if you wish to reschedule an appointment, please just let me know as soon as possible and we can schedule another time. Thank you, John
  • Why should I consider an Interview Coaching Session?
    The Interview Coaching Session® focusses on interview preparation and rehearsal. This is essential if you wish to be competitive at your job interview. Learn how to answer all the tough questions e.g. "Why do you want to work here?", "What are your weaknesses?", "What makes you better than other applicants? * Increase your self confidence * Build rapport and make an excellent first impression * Learn how to control your nervousness and do your best * Understand how panel interviews work and how to answer questions calmly and confidently * Plan well for your job interview by practicing your responses to likely questions * Answer situational, competency-based and behavioural questions with appropriate strategies * Achieve your best deal around salary, contracts and employment conditions
  • How would I benefit from professional resume writing?
    If you look the same as everyone else, you are invisible! ​The world of work is changing rapidly and you need to change how you go about getting the job you want. Today's recruiters skim resumes for an average of 6 seconds! So it is more important than ever to clearly present your unique skills, experience and aptitudes to potential employers. Here is something to consider. The average yearly wage in Australia is currently $89,000. The average length of a job is 3.3 years. This means the job you are seeking (and the resume required to get you to interview) is worth an average of $294,000. So the quality of your resume and personal branding is obviously extremely important. This is where a professional resume writing service can help. A modest investment in your resume and personal branding is the best possible decision you can make for creating the kind of future you want. Traditional, boring resumes and position applications that do not focus clearly on the specific needs of a role, send a clear message to prospective employers that you have little respect for the opportunity they are offering. Such resumes are virtually guaranteed to fail. And whilst a well written and presented resume is an important part of your job seeker toolkit, it is not enough to help you stand out from the crowd and get the job. ​ To increase your visibility and employability you actually need two things: ​ 1. A professionally designed and written resume that will get you noticed and be seen as worthy of interview. 2. A LinkedIn profile that clearly shows the employers and recruiters who use LinkedIn to locate talent every day, exactly what you have to offer. Your LinkedIn profile is your digital resume. ​ Summary: How You Will Benefit From Professional Resume Writing ​* Show employers and employment agencies who you really are with a professional resume and LinkedIn profile * Gain more confidence by recognizing your own value, strengths and expertise * Get the job by showcasing your 'unique value proposition' via your resume and LinkedIn profile * Stand out from the crowd, distinguish yourself from the competition and get to interview * Build your employability by clearly aligning all your skills, knowledge and achievements with the job you are seeking My personal recommendation is Malcolm King, professional resume writer and director of Republic Resumes https://www.republicresumes.com.au/
  • What is a 'personal brand' and why is it important for my career?
    Having a 'personal brand' means being visible, building a reputation and getting known. It means creating and controlling the way you wish to present yourself, describing what is unique and distinctive about you and letting other people know. American management guru Tom Peters Peters coined the phrase. Through his career, Peters examined the leading issues in business such as organization, leadership, innovation, technology, marketing, strategy and human resources. I like the idea because it suggests that if you don't control your career, someone else surely will! So paddle your own canoe.
Self limiting behaviours
Recommended Pathways
Year 11 and Year 12 subjects
Career Action Plan
Strong Interest Inventory
Autism
Personal Brand
NDIS clients
Career Change
Vocation
Personality Type
Skills to navigate
Interview Coaching
Advance Career
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