Career Services in the Post‐COVID‐19 Era: A Paradigm for Career Counseling Unemployed Individuals

Abstract

The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic has caused unprecedented economic disruption and unemployment worldwide, threatening to become both a financial and a humanitarian crisis. Prolonged labor market recession and an acute rise of unemployment are expected. The main question for career counselors will be how to provide effective career counseling to unemployed people in the post‐COVID‐19 world, where they may face many other unemployment‐related problems. In this article, we suggest application of a holistic intervention model of career counseling for unemployed people that was designed to address the consequences of the acute financial recession in Greece.

Impact of COVID‐19 on Employment: Exploring the Perspectives of Job Loss and Mental Health of Individuals From Minimal‐Resource Communities

“…Job loss can be viewed by individuals as a time for self‐evaluation as they reframe lifestyle decision‐making and confront long‐term aftereffects of personal stagnation and loneliness. The results of this study resonate with emerging literature suggesting that COVID‐19 unemployment contributes to people feeling sad and unjustly treated (Akkermans et al, 2020 ; Drosos et al, 2021 ). Despite the complexities associated with recovery from unemployment, people from economically marginalized environments found reconnections with family, moments of gratitude, and eventual acceptance of a collective new norm.…”

“…Regarding job replacement, a few participants recognized they needed additional support from outside organizations relating to job search and future career development. Research has shown that efforts to find new employment are often unsuccessful because of the lack of job‐hunting skills; however, career interventions have been found to increase one's self‐efficacy and overall confidence toward job search (Drosos et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Results of this study indicated subthemes relating to mediating processes and emotion regulation. Researchers have found that, initially, job loss leads to strong negative emotions, with unemployed individuals needing to adjust (Drosos et al, 2021 ). One surprising factor was the participants' ability to carry a positive mind‐set despite their difficult circumstances.…”

“…According to Motulsky ( 2010 ), having clients identify significant relationships in their personal lives will allow them to assess both positive and negative aspects that may influence career development. Because of the importance of relationship building, career practitioners may want to consider group career counseling interventions, which can assist with an added level of support and aid the development of self‐esteem during the job search process (Drosos et al, 2021 ). Moreover, group counseling may assist clients with development of social skills in response to extensive quarantine mandates.…”

“…For some individuals who have experienced job loss as a result of COVID‐19 and who identify as being from minimal‐resource communities, the unplanned and unprecedented disruption in employment has created a ripple effect of negative consequences related to unemployment status. The shock of being unemployed during COVID‐19 has been identified as traumatic for many individuals, with initial emotions including sadness, injustice, and anger (Akkermans et al, 2020 ; Drosos et al, 2021 ). In addition to the loss of financial stability, job loss from the pandemic has led to unequal access of power and privilege for historically marginalized populations, creating power differentials that include a lack of credit, status, and mobility (Flores et al, 2019 ).…”