Be careful before you pay to play...
There are some legit firms in the career business, but many are nothing but a racket. Check them out carefully before spending a dime. Companies hire outplacement firms to help laid-off employees find new jobs. Their services are usually simple, cookie-cutter methods that are also found for free in books at your local library. At best, a counselor will give you a daily nudge to "keep at it."
Career management is the consumer version of outplacement. That is, you pay for it yourself. Personal-marketing firms are yet another flavor of the same business, but they may assign you a coach rather than a counselor, and they leaven their product with lots of marketing lingo. (For example, "Your career is a product, and your résumé is a marketing brochure that sells your skills!")
Of course, there are some good career-counseling and coaching firms. You'll know them because they are proud of their reputations and will gladly provide references. READ: Investigate before paying for help in finding a job
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