What are the most important questions to ask a career development coach?

What will I walk away with after the coaching? It's important to know what you are going to get from the partnership and if their type of services will deliver to your needs.

I’d say the first question you ask a career development coach is whether they are certified or not, from which entity, are they accredited and what is their professional background. In this era where a lot of people are promoting themselves online they use words to describe themselves as Coaches, Consultants, Advisor, Facilitator but you don’t really know what they do! Very important also to know the difference between a Career Coach, Career Mentor and Career Advisor and to pick what suits your needs: Career Coach will ask you open ended questions to indirectly guide you to make decisions by opening doors of opportunities you never thought existed! They’re also qualified to use assessments & tools to help you

Hiring a coach is like hiring an employee. You are entitled to ask for his CV and experiences. Ask for the style, method, timing, and tools. Assess the communication style and how the coaching is delivered. If you have doubts about the ability or the match, look for other coaches or possibilities.

You will never buy a car without checking the specifications and capabilities or if it fits your needs. Finding a career coach is the same. You need to thoroughly assess if it fits your needs. Here are the questions I would ask a coach in our first call: What qualifications do you have, and how long have you been coaching?" "Can you share success stories from clients with similar goals to mine?" What is your coaching approach, especially for career transitions?" "What tools or assessments do you use?" "How do you help clients set and achieve their career goals?" "do you coach 1-1 or group coaching?" "Which platform do you use for coaching sessions?" Do you specialize in any industries?" Those questions help qualify for the correct coach.

The best thing is to choose a Coach coming from an HR/ Talent Management background who understands well careers and recruitment and career progression and how organizations think Or to choose a career coach who used to work in the same industry/field you work in

While it's true that having a coach with direct industry experience can offer valuable insights and connections, someone with leadership experience and a background as a hiring manager can be very beneficial in helping clients excel in interviews. Specialized coaches understand industry intricacies, aiding in targeted strategies and networking. However, a coach with diverse experience can teach transferable skills and strategies valuable in various contexts. Coaches must possess proper credentials, training, and a successful track record. Additionally, a coach with leadership experience brings insider knowledge and interview insights, making them invaluable in honing your skills.

A good Coach will never start the coaching journey without identifying a clear goal, it is how we were taught It is important for them too to measure and also to identify which tools they can use with their clients to support them That’s why choosing a professional certified accredited coach from the beginning is very crucial

Measuring progress and outcomes in coaching can be challenging but is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of the coaching intervention. It helps in understanding whether the coaching is helping the individual to achieve their goals and improve their performance or personal development. Here are some methods and considerations for measuring progress and outcomes in coaching: 1. Set Clear Objectives/Goals 2. Develop Key Performance Indicators 3. Regular Check-ins 4. Self-Assessment 5. Outcome Measurement 6. Reflection and Learning

Ask the coach for a copy of their agreement when interviewing them to ensure they put these values in writing and commit to them.

If the coach did not provide a contract it is your right to ask for one The contract should have all the details of the coaching relationship from start to end

It's important to understand what the coach expects from you and that this aligns with your expectation and abilities (in terms of time and effort) - for you to be able to achieve the outcomes you desire. Be realistic as you do so accounting for your other responsibilities that you have.

The most important factor to consider while choosing a coach in my view is globally accepted qualification and certification of the coach.