How effective is the Smithells® Career Planning System?
It is very effective. That success is measured in four ways:
- Client feedback
 - Client satisfaction
 - Accuracy
 - Were following the same career direction
 - Gained entry to their first option for study, training or work
 - Completed their first two years successfully
 - Aimed to continue with the same option, at the same place
 - Repeat business
 - Review their career options
 - Regain their career focus
 - Rework their career plan
 - Do more targeted career counselling,
 - Reassure themselves they are on the right career track, or
 - Add something new into their career thinking
 
Young people consistently say that the system is ‘fun’, ‘helpful’, ‘makes you think’, ‘covers everything’ and ‘gives you a (career) focus’.
Their parents consistently say that the Smithells® System is 'good value for money', ‘thorough’, ‘professional’ and has ‘excellent follow-up service and support’.
Many existing clients and client families refer other family members, partners or friends; flat-mates or teammates; school, polytechnic or university classmates; workmates or colleagues, to Smithells®NZ to go through the Smithells®System.
Over 95% of referrals to Approved Smithells® Professionals come by word of mouth from satisfied clients and client families.
Most young people who go through the Smithells® System and see an Approved Smithells® Professional, stick to their career ideas or plan. Feedback over 16 years from informal surveys of young clients two years after leaving school indicates that over 90%...
Over time, after their first face-to-face appointment with an Approved Smithells® Professional, well over 50% of existing clients return for one or more further appointments. They return to...
