Decision making in careers work: helping clients move from “not yet” to next step

Most Career Development Professionals will recognise this moment in practice. A client says, “I don’t know what to do,” or “I just feel stuck,” or “There are too many options.”

In these moments, the challenge is rarely a lack of ability or opportunity. More often, it is a mix of uncertainty, emotion, and information overload that makes decision making feel overwhelming. As practitioners, we know that offering more information or more options does not always move people forward. What usually helps is clearer thinking, stronger confidence, and one manageable next step.

What “being stuck” really means in guidance

When a client feels stuck, it does not usually mean they have no options. Often, it means something deeper is at play. They may be afraid of making the “wrong” choice, unsure about what information really matters, or feeling pressure to get everything right. Sometimes they cannot see their own strengths clearly, and at other times they are overwhelmed by too many possibilities with no clear way to prioritise.

Unsticking a client, therefore, is not about giving them more options. It is about helping them think clearly enough to move forward with confidence.

What helps clients make better decisions

In my experience, progress often comes from three simple shifts in how we structure the conversation.

1. Start with how the client feels, not what they should do

When we slow down and acknowledge emotion, we create space for clearer thinking rather than rushing into solutions.

For example, a client might be torn between staying in their course or applying for apprenticeships. Instead of listing pros and cons straight away, we might first ask: “What word best describes how you feel right now?” or “What is behind that feeling?”

This can reveal that the real issue is not the options themselves, but fear of failure, pressure from family, or uncertainty about their abilities.

2. Build confidence before problem solving

Decision making improves when clients can see what they already have going for them. With the same client, we might explore what skills they already have, what they have managed before, and what has worked, even a little. Often, this changes the tone of the conversation from “I don’t know what to do” to “I can see I have some solid foundations.”

3. Help them prioritise one key question and one next step

Rather than trying to solve everything at once, we focus on what matters most. Their most important question might become, “Would an apprenticeship in this field actually suit me?” Their next step might simply be to speak to one employer or attend one open day. This is not a full action plan. It is a meaningful first move.

A simple tool that supports this approach

To support this way of working, I developed the FocusWorks 'Not Yet' Pathway. It is a simple, visual tool that helps clients reflect on how they feel about moving forward, recognise what they can already do, clarify what they need to find out, and identify one clear next step.

It is designed for real, time-pressured guidance conversations, not ideal scenarios. It helps keep discussions focused, confidence-led, and action-oriented without adding extra paperwork.

Noticing our own habits as CDPs

Equally important is recognising our own role in decision making conversations. It can be tempting to jump in with advice too quickly, offer solutions before fully understanding the client’s perspective, or steer clients towards what we think is best.

Sometimes, a more directive approach is appropriate, for example when there is a clear safeguarding concern, the client lacks essential information, or a deadline is urgent. At other times, a non-directive, coaching-led approach is more effective, particularly when the client has options but lacks clarity, motivation is mixed, or confidence is low.

A useful reflective question for CDPs is: “Am I trying to fix this, or help the client think?”

Being aware of this balance can make the difference between a rushed conversation and a meaningful one.

Why this matters

Clear decisions do not always come from having more information. They often come from better thinking, greater confidence, and one small, realistic step forward. When we help clients move from “not yet” to “next step,” we are not just supporting decision making. We are building agency, confidence, and momentum.