Toward shared language in career counselling: introducing a brief qualitative exercise

ABSTRACT

Shared language comprises a precondition to authentic relationships, including career counselling. Drawing on constructivist theory, this article highlights career counsellors’ charge to be sensitive to the unique meanings that clients ascribe to common career-oriented terminology, such as working with people, success, or challenging work. A brief written qualitative tool, the Work Aspects Exercise, can provide the career and employment counsellor with quick access to the client's unique usage of these terms and facilitate authentic interaction. Findings from public employment service clientele in Israel are presented, along with sample client profiles and suggestions for interpreting client texts. Career guidance practitioners will find a supportive tool with high face validity that can stimulate self-exploration.

KEYWORDS:

• constructivist
• meaning-making
• qualitative tool
• shared language
• career aspects
• career counselling

Acknowledgement

I thank Prof. Itamar Gati for his comments on an earlier version of this paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Benny A. Benjamin

Benny A. Benjamin, Ph.D., has served as Head Psychologist at the Israel National Employment Service and as lecturer in counsellor education at Bar-Ilan University, Israel. He is currently an independent counselling psychologist and career coach, academic editor, and editor of the e-journal, People at Work: Israel Journal of Career Development.