The economic crisis that peaked in 2009 sent shockwaves that will be felt for years to come. It affected businesses, increased social risk for many and destabilised job and career prospects. Young people, particularly, have been badly affected. They are suffering the highest unemployment rates and their prospects have been damaged most. But, despite high unemployment rates in many countries, skill shortages are reported in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) occupations. Europe's working population is also getting older. In response, European Union (EU) countries have devised several education, training and labour market policies. In all of them, career guidance and counselling increasingly play a central role due to their effectiveness in developing the right skills and attitudes people need for successful careers. This Briefing Note describes how guidance and counselling can help people and organizations to adapt and be productive under new and atypical economic and social conditions. In particular, when integrated into human resource management, guidance counselling can reduce skill mismatch in enterprises and increase productivity and work satisfaction. Guidance and counselling can also help prevent young people from becoming not in education, employment or training (NEETs) by assessing students' level of risk of educational disengagement and by clarifying their career options, all in close cooperation with family and teachers. For young migrant workers and severe social exclusion, career guidance is frequently provided in close cooperation between local communities, employment services, schools and training providers. Career guidance also reaches cases where people feel excluded from participation in learning and the labour market. A combination of targeted information, careful assessment and validation of skills and support for career planning can bring positive change for individuals and communities.