APPLICATION OF CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS IN THE ACTIVITIES OF CONSULTANT

Abstract

Investigation problem. This article seeks to answer the problematic questions: do enough employment service consultants understand the importance and meaning of applying critical thinking in counseling? what critical thinking skills affect the quality of a consultant’s performance and what factors determine the implementation of critical thinking? what techniques and tools do you use to apply critical thinking?

Object of research: application of critical thinking in the aspect of consultant activity.

The aim of the research: to reveal the application of critical thinking in the aspect of the activity of consultant in the employment service.

Objectives of the research: 1) to analyze the theoretical concepts of the concept of critical thinking; 2) examine the application of critical thinking to the experience of consultants working in the employment service.

Research methods: theoretical analysis; qualitative research (partially structured interview).

The survey sample. 9 recruitment and employment support consultants of the employment service were selected for the qualitative research. Study participants were selected using a non-probabilistic selection method using a targeted selection strategy. The age of the study participants varies from 36 to 56 years, the average age is 46 years. The gender of all study participants is female, all have higher education and all work experience in the employment service is more than five years, i. y. ranges from 6 to 26 years, which reveals their professionalism in their professional activities.

The main results and conclusions of theoretical and empirical research. Critical thinking is a higher level of thinking related to new experiences and new knowledge that promotes the modeling of future actions, reflective problem solving by making informed conclusions after analyzing operational problems. Maintaining a quality counseling service requires a continuous effort by the counselor to apply critical thinking, not only understanding the client’s attitude toward the job market or desire to change professions, but also helping to achieve his or her aspirations to avoid conflict situations and so on. The analysis of the research results shows that the meaning of critical thinking is perceived by the consultants working in the employment service, as it is related to improvement in practical activities, quality performance, self-assessment, client evaluation, gaining professional trust, and communicating important information to clients. Empirical data reveal that critical thinking in the activities of consultant is crucial to offer the client effective forms of learning, development, employment, methods, techniques, tools, helps to know the client and help him get to know himself, his strengths and weaknesses, available and missing resources, encourages the counselor to reflect, provide constructive and effective feedback, and continually learn and improve their performance. According to the research, the critical thinking of the consultants working in the employment service is important for the quality of counseling, providing effective feedback, reflection of experience, self-knowledge, analysis of one's strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement. In order to ensure the quality of counseling services, the counselor needs critical thinking skills that encourage him / her to continuously evaluate and improve his / her activities, and to provide a perspective for professional development. The quality of consultant's work is determined by critical thinking skills: positive thinking, the ability to analyze emerging issues, assess the changing situation, perform their tasks professionally and responsibly, encourage the client to analyze the personal situation, listen and help make decisions. Effective factors of critical thinking implementation include professional reflection, self-education, self-education, rational analysis of information, and practical problem solving. Applying critical thinking, counselors reflect on their professional activities, share experiences with colleagues, consult clients, engage in self-education and self-education, plan, coordinate, implement counseling processes, meet the needs of clients, identify learning needs, provide feedback.