The dynamic labor market situation in the enlarged European Union –aging, diversity and mobility of population, multiple transitions in the lifespan, gender issues, etc.– requires new skills, more complex knowledge and a holistic approach from the career practitioners in order to better understand the needs of citizens and provide them with quality services.Bulgaria, Poland and Spain are facing similar challenges regarding large groups of population in risk of poverty, unemployment and social exclusion: low-paid and low-skilled workers, senior adults, women employees. These groups are extremely vulnerable in the times of recession and technological development, as they are not competitive in the labor market. Lifelong guidance services can encourage participation in further learning, acquisition of new skills and managing career transitions, but usually these individuals stay out of sight, unaware of and with limited access to career services until they lose their jobs.In the same time there is a variety of stakeholders –trade unions, employers’ organizations, NGOs, education and training providers, etc., acting in the social arena in the 3 countries– which have access to these groups and provide counseling, job mediation services, training for employability skills and labor market information. These practitioners are at the right place at the right time but their potential is still underused. If appropriately trained, they can meet the needs of these clients in risk.