Employment Counsellor

Employment counsellors give information and advice to clients about employment search, career planning, human resource and employment issues.

NOC Code: 4156

Job Duties

Employment counsellors give information and advice to clients about employment search, career planning, human resource and employment issues. You may work with clients individually or in groups. You may work for federal and provincial government agencies, community colleges, universities, community agencies, and private employment agencies.

Generally, employment counsellors:

  • Interview clients about their employment history, educational background and career goals.
  • Help clients with job search strategies, writing résumés and preparing for job interviews.
  • Use assessment tools to find out your clients' interests, aptitudes and abilities.
  • Refer clients to community agencies or other professionals, as needed.
  • Give clients information about achieving their career goals.
  • Collect labour market information for clients about job opportunities, skill requirements and other occupational information.
  • Provide established workers with information and strategies for maintaining a job or moving within an organization, dealing with job dissatisfaction, making mid-career changes, and adjusting to workplace transitions.
  • Advise employers on human resource and other employment-related issues.
  • Provide counselling services to community groups and agencies, businesses, industry and other organizations involved in providing community-based career planning support or resources. 

Source: HRSDC

Job Requirements

Education

This job requires: College or University

Comparison with other jobs in this profession
JobLevel of Education Required
Employment CounsellorCollege or University
Community WorkerCollege or University
Early Childhood Educator AssistantCollege or University
Program CoordinatorCollege or University
Settlement WorkerCollege or University

Experience

This job requires 0 - 2 years of work experience.

Comparison with other jobs in this profession
JobYears of Work Experience Required
Employment Counsellor0 - 2
Community Worker0 - 2
Early Childhood Educator Assistant0 - 2
Program Coordinator0 - 2
Settlement Worker0 - 2

Source: HRSDC

Essential Skills

As an employment counsellor, you need to:

  • Speak, read and write English.
  • Know about current labour market trends, employment opportunities and social services in your community.
  • Use assessment tools to find out your clients' aptitudes, skills and interests.
  • Use word processing, database, spreadsheet and email software.
  • Be empathetic, non-judgmental, and have a positive attitude.

Source: Ontario Skills Passport

Language Skills

You need to communicate in person, on the phone and in writing with clients, co-workers, employers, social workers and staff at other community programs.

Labour Market Information

Trends

There are a number of jobs in this field as people need help finding or changing jobs. You may need to have good computer skills to help individuals access information and resources such as labour markets and job search techniques online.

Prospects

The work prospects for this job are: FAIR

Comparison with other jobs in this profession
JobWork Prospects
Employment CounsellorFair
Community WorkerGood
Early Childhood Educator AssistantGood
Program CoordinatorGood
Settlement WorkerGood

Wages

The average hourly wage for this job is: C$25/hour.

Comparison with other jobs in this profession
JobAverage Wage/Hour
Employment Counsellor$25.00
Community Worker$21.75
Early Childhood Educator Assistant$16.41
Program Coordinator$21.75
Settlement Worker$21.75

Source: Job Bank

Retraining

Educational Programs

These links will give you a list of related educational programs or where you can search for them. There may be other schools that have similar programs, such as private career colleges. You may be able to get advanced standing.

Bridging Programs

Here is a list of some bridging programs. These programs can help you assess your education and skills, get practical training or improve your language skills so that you can work in your field.

Language Training

Here is a list of some language training programs:

Work Experience Programs

Some college programs in this field include co-operative (co-op) work experience.

Voluntary Membership Opportunities

Helpful Links

The data in this profile is provided for informational purposes only. Some of the information may have changed since this profile was written. Please check the source for the most up-to-date information.