Mr Hash Veasna, founder of My Best Consult, gives suggestions and tips:

“In order to give suggestions on any problem a consultant has to have a good understanding of the society. Observing, reading and listening are a consultant’s main activities. Compassion for people is essential for the job,” says Veasna, adding that if someone had these qualities and knew what people around are about she or he already had a good idea of the consulting job.

Veasna goes on, underlining the importance of understanding a person’s problem: “Consultants need to ask in-depth questions to dig up the root of the problem. They need to gather information clearly to be able to give good advice.”

After the problem is discovered possible solutions have to be pondered. “Consultants have to find points of opportunity and omission within the problem and then give the person concerned several solutions to choose from,” Veasna says. In the case of Sreysros’s friend leaving the boyfriend was the best opportunity to restore happiness in the future. Loving someone and not being loved back on the other hand grants misery.

In some cases however people with a problem don’t reveal its nature with words for reasons of shame and fear. “We [consultants] need to pay attention to their [problem holders’] behaviour and ways of communicating when we interview them. We should analyse and think critically of what they are saying to check whether it is true.” Veasna explains.

In case consultant candidates have the skill to truly understand people’s problems they still have to consider well if they would like to become full-time consultants. Unlike in Western countries seeking professional advice for problems of love, marriage, and life is uncommon.

If someone still wants to pursue this dream job he or she can improve their chances of success and broaden their knowledge by becoming a studied psychologist.