“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” — Abraham Lincoln

Whether you’re just starting out, navigating a midlife pivot, or designing your third act in a 100-year life, one thing is clear: you don’t have to figure it all out alone. The right career advisor can help you align your skills, values, and aspirations into a roadmap that leads to greater fulfillment—not just a job.

But not all career advisors are created equal. Some specialize in helping early-career professionals, while others work with people transitioning into entrepreneurship, social impact work, or encore careers. Choosing the right one can mean the difference between chasing someone else’s version of success—or confidently stepping into your own.

Why a Career Advisor Matters at Every Stage

Career advisors are more than résumé reviewers—they’re guides for lifelong professional development. According to a report by the National Career Development Association, individuals who regularly engage in career counseling report higher levels of job satisfaction, clarity, and confidence in navigating transitions (NCDA Report).

As work evolves and lifespans lengthen, it’s not uncommon to have multiple careers across your life. A career advisor can help you stay agile, reflect on your growth, and seize new opportunities aligned with who you are becoming.

So, what should you look for in a career advisor?

1. Look for Someone Who Focuses on the Whole You

The best advisors don’t just ask, “What job do you want?” They ask, “What kind of life do you want to build?” They integrate your values, passions, financial goals, and time horizon into your career strategy.

Look for advisors who use holistic career planning models like:

• Life Design (based on Stanford’s Designing Your Life framework:https://designingyour.life)
• Ikigai (a Japanese philosophy combining what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for)

Action Step: Write down your top three life values. In your first conversation, ask the advisor how they’ll help you align your career with those values.

2. Choose Someone With Verified Credentials

Just like financial advisors, not all career coaches are equally trained. Look for certifications such as:

• Certified Career Counselor (CCC) from the NCDA
• Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF)
• Board Certified Coach (BCC) with a career specialization

You can find vetted professionals through directories like:

Action Step: Ask potential advisors about their training, methodology, and coaching philosophy before you commit.

3. Evaluate Their Approach to Goal Setting and Accountability

You want someone who will not only help you dream but also help you execute. Good advisors set measurable milestones, help you track progress, and adjust strategies as needed.

Tools like:

Action Step: During your consultation, ask how the advisor structures accountability and supports implementation between sessions.

4. Make Sure They Support Lifelong Learning

As job markets evolve, your career advisor should help you stay on the cutting edge—not stuck in the past. They should be fluent in emerging trends, remote work, automation, and the skills needed to future-proof your career.

Use tools like:

Action Step: Ask your advisor how they stay up to date and how they’ll help you integrate new skills into your professional path.

5. Trust Chemistry Over Flash

Yes, credentials matter. But ultimately, your advisor should be someone you feel heard by. Do they listen deeply? Ask thoughtful questions? Get excited about your potential?

As Oprah Winfrey once said, “A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.” The right career advisor will challenge and champion you—not fit you into a box.

Action Step: Interview at least two advisors. Choose the one who feels like a true partner—not just a service provider.

Embracing the Age Brilliantly Mindset

At Age Brilliantly, we believe that career planning is about more than titles and paychecks—it’s about designing a fulfilling life over decades. Whether you’re 35 or 75, the right advisor can help you navigate growth with purpose.

Ask yourself:

• Am I designing my career around my evolving goals and values?
• What kind of impact do I want to make in my next chapter?
• Who’s helping me imagine—and build—that future?

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” And the right career advisor can help you shape it with clarity and confidence.

Join the conversation in theAge Brilliantly Forum.
 What do you look for in a career advisor? What lessons or tools have helped guide your journey? Let’s learn from each other—and design brilliant futures together.