You surf the web and you see many sites claiming to offer the solution to your career planning needs. These sites range from fee-based career assessments to comprehensive career resources that charge annual subscription fees. You want to get on with building career readiness, but wonder if these resources are must have items. So, following are a few recommendations on spending your money and career planning.

Online Career Assessments - There are a number of fee-based career assessments that would have you believe that your chances of career success are slim without them. Such companies promote their assessments as being a vital resource for individuals wishing to arrive at their ideal career destination.

It's important to remember that career assessments are only meant to help individuals confirm aptitudes and interests that they possess, not uncover deep hidden talents. Our recommendation is that if you are going to pay for a career assessment that you do so as part of the services offered by a properly certified career counsellor. Such counsellors are able to pull different threads of information together from an assessment and explore their implications for the potential career path of clients.

Online Career Resources with a Subscription Fee - There are several fee based online resources that promote a "One Stop Resource" mentality to career planning. Often these resources may be leased on a yearly basis for a secondary or post-secondary school. Companies producing these resources are relying on engaging graphics and print copy to attract users. They are also banking that they can keep clients by becoming their deferred resource of choice.

One factor working against companies attempting to charge fees for the use of their resources is the explosive growth of the internet. Fifteen years ago the idea of being able to access comprehensive information in one location was a novelty. Today, the idea of accessing information in one location is taken for granted. The World Wide Web has placed superb information on career development only a few key strokes away from those looking for it. The need to pay money for information should only continue to dwindle.

A second factor working against paid career resources is the movement towards individuals taking ownership of their career development and being encouraged to test out a variety of resources. This viewpoint sees no one individual company or resource tool as having the answer, but rather answers being found in the appropriate use of a wide range of resources.

A third factor working against fee- for-use resources is that they are readily available in your secondary school days but less so as you pursue learning as an adult. Ironically, as many young adults focus on their careers there are many fee-for -service resources that they no longer have access to.

In the end it could be said that fee-for-use career resources need you for their survival more than you will need them for yours.

Tagged In: Adult Learners , Career , Parents , Success Strategies , Transition