The #1 Question I'm Asked About Career Coaching

I’ve been asked this question more than any other when people find out that I’m a Career Coach:

Why would a person invest resources into hiring a Career Coach when there are so many free resources and support available, and they can just… do it themselves?

They point to the many websites, articles, blog posts, workshops, and webinars available out there on the trusty interwebs.?

I’ve even had college-aged relatives remind me of the amount of support they get through their own universities, including that they talk to their peers about ideal salary expectations, or that there are student business groups that share resume templates that have worked or do mock interviews with one another.

And of course, many professionals mention that they’ve been able to land jobs on their own, enter salary discussions and negotiate counter offers successfully.? They state that first-hand experience itself serves as a valuable template to advancing their careers.

So… yeah.

Why would anyone want to spend resources to hire someone like a Career Coach?

It's a fair question.

And to some degree, I agree.

Many of these examples are worthy experiences to utilize when looking to advance up the career and job search ladder. There is no shortage of resources available out there, and good advice should be shared widely so all can have access.??

(In fact, I actually talk about my Top 4 free career and job search resources here on YouTube if you want to check it out)

But, for me, though, working with a Career Coach isn’t about competing against free resources.?

I’ve seen people formally enlist the help of a Career Coach when they seek a perspective that they’ve not yet experienced nor encountered.

Many times, people see me when they’ve felt that they’ve maxed out their knowledge and effort and want personalized support.?

They also want a targeted viewpoint that can share valuable insights on complex issues beyond a general message of support or broad-based success tricks.

They wish to gain deeper access to ‘insider information’ about the job search, hiring, and career development process with someone who has the practical experience of knowing how companies actually do it, day in and day out.

Not all Career Coaches are created equal, of course.

Each brings their own perspective and background to the table.

They should, however, know much more about the industry and workflows beyond what the candidate experiences, offering guidance to you about the other side of the table to help you address nuances and those ‘gray’ area situations so that you build confidence and a well-prepared perspective.?

When you engage a Career Coach, you gain new insights and invaluable guidance and they’re focused on you. They challenge your approach, point out blind spots, and offer strategies tailored to your unique situation. They bring a depth of experience and expertise that can't always be matched by free resources alone.

??? (If you liked this article, I talk more about this topic on YouTube - check it out here)???

?? Have you worked with a Career Coach? What has been your experience? Comment below - I’d love to know. ?