As the Canadian workplace shifts and changes, more and more people are looking for professional career guidance.

"I am evaluating a number of retraining programs and hope to focus on areas for which I am best suited," one woman asks. "Can you provide the names of at least three career counsellors who specialize in job assessment and/or career testing and counselling? What does this service cost?"

A mother writes: "I have two boys in high school who are not sure what they want to do. Do you know reputable organizations that test people to find out what their innate abilities are?

Deciding on a viable and suitable career path is a complicated process. You need to know yourself well. You need a basic understand the world of work. Then you have to marry your sense of self and your growing knowledge of today's workplace to find a corner that suits you and offers long term potential.

Career counsellors, at their best, shepherd their clients through this process offering vocational and self-assessment, workplace research, resume guidance and creative job search advice and training.

Generally there's a fee attached to help of this kind, and fees vary widely. Career counsellors, sole practitioners especially, generally charge an hourly rate in the $60-$110 range and allow you to pay as you go. Some community colleges, school boards and social service agencies like the YMCA also offer career counselling services for fees that tend to range from $250 - $1000.

Finding an appropriate career counsellor is a bit like finding a doctor or accountant whom you like and trust. You have to shop around. Ask associates and friends for referrals. Call local community colleges, school boards, social service agencies. Check the Yellow Pages under Career and /or Vocational Counselling.

Your ultimate goal is to find an specific counsellor with whom you can work successfully. This will most likely take time and research. In the early stage of your research, compile a list of at least three potential counsellors. Then begin talking to each one directly to discover their particular approach to counselling of this kind.

From our archives, here's a "shoppers guide" for anyone looking for career counselling assistance:

* Take time to define clearly, what you want career counselling to do for you. Do you need vocational guidance as in, What job am I suited for? Or, do you need help with career management issues, What do I do with what I've got? What direction can I go in?

* The success of any counselling endeavour depends largely on personal rapport. Ask to meet the counsellor to discuss your needs. Ask how much time he or she intends to spend getting to know you; what materials and assessment procedures will be used; what information you need to provide.

* If testing is recommended, request background information on each test. Ask about its relevance to your needs, cultural background, and ultimate goal. Ask as well, about the credentials of the person interpreting test results. Request a sample of the report you will receive.

* Request information on the counsellor's credentials and background. Ask to speak with people they are currently counselling and/or have counselled in the past - especially those working in fields similar or related to yours. (Not all counsellors will agree to this, but some will.)

* Ask to see samples of the written work you will take away at the end of the counselling process - resumes, letters, action plans and the like.

*Ask about costs, methods of payment, contractural agreements.

* Once you begin career counselling, accept full responsibility for your role. Counselling of this kind is not a job placement service.

Self-examination, job market research, drumming up job leads, practicing for interviews all require a great deal of effort on your part.

Career counselling is an unregulated profession in Canada. The best way to assure professional service is to be an intelligent, informed consumer.