How to choose the right career coach for you

Are you unsatisfied with your current job? Have you been applying for jobs, and interviewing, but yet to land the job? Are you wondering if you are on the right career path? Have you ever thought about changing careers? Are you yet to get over your former job?

?If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then chances are you need the services of a career coach. You probably have an idea of what career coaches do. They are experts that help maximize your personal and professional potential by helping you with career planning, resume building, and sharpening your interviewing skills.

?A coach is there to evaluate your skills, education, skills, and interests to help you identify your priorities and then work towards achieving your goals. Career coaches can't promise to help you land your dream job or achieve a certain salary. This is because you hold the key to your success. A coach is there to guide you. You have to pull your weight.

When to Consider Hiring a Career Coach

Below are some situations where hiring a coach is beneficial:

?● You have no idea about what you want to do

?Don't lose heart if you don't know what you want to do. You are not alone. Many people search for jobs aimlessly on LinkedIn and other platforms. Every job appeals to them and feels like something they can do but at the core, they have no idea what they want to do. It's a frustrating situation to be in.

But a career coach can work with you to find something that resonates with you, something that can be fulfilling for you. It may even be something you haven't considered. Ultimately, you want career satisfaction and that's something you and your coach can work together to achieve.

● You have a problem crafting a compelling yet simple resume

Resumes are powerful tools for job searches as they highlight your top skills and qualities. Your resume may be the reason you are not being called for interviews. Fortunately, career coaches are well versed in crafting resumes and can help you rewrite yours to showcase your skills and capabilities at the level of the job you are applying for. You will also receive training on personal branding, interviews, informational interviewing strategies, and salary negotiations.

● You want to change careers or transition into a different industry

Career transition is becoming more popular. But it is not the same for everybody. Some people may just need to change companies and continue in the same role while others may need to make radical changes across industries. A coach can help you figure out what works for you and direct you towards a more fulfilling career.

● You aren't moving up in your career and feel you've hit a ceiling

It's possible that you are happy in your current industry but feel stuck at one level or one role. You want to advance but it's not just happening for you. A career coach can offer specific help to help you move to the next level.

How to Choose a Career Coach to Work With

?If you would like to employ the services of a career coach, then you need to find the right coach for you. Many people focus mainly on the financial aspect of career coaching and rightly so. Career coaching is an investment that involves your money. But it's also important to find someone who is a good match to increase the chances of success. Here are factors to consider when choosing a career coach.

Consider Fit - Why type of person do you work best with?

Think back on mentors, bosses, teachers, and other "coach" like people you've worked with. What did you like about them and their approach? It's extremely important that you and your career coach are compatible personality-wise.

Do you work well with someone direct and concise? Or do you prefer a coach with a sense of humor? Whatever your preference may be, a coach should be positive, empathetic, non-judgmental, knowledgeable, and able to give actionable advice.

Define your problem - Can your coach help you with your specific situation?

You need to understand why you need a coach to identify the best type of coach for you. Take some moments to think and write down why you think you need a coach. Then look for a coach that has "walked the walk."

If you want to change careers, then a coach that has personally experienced a career transition is more suitable for you. If you want to start a business, then someone that has launched their own company is uniquely positioned to help you. There's great value in working with a coach that has personally experienced a situation similar to yours.

What's your budget?

This is a deeply personal question. But you have to consider your finances. Coaching fees can vary a lot and the major determinant of how much spend you will spend is the experience and certifications of the coach. Coaches that have been around for a long time, taken on many clients, or have several certifications tend to be more expensive.

Understand exactly what you are paying for. What's the method of communication? Will your coach answer questions outside of scheduled sessions? You can do a test run to see what you get by paying for a few hours of coaching. Many coaches tend to have packages but they might be flexible enough to allow you to test the waters through 1:1 sessions.

In the end, what matters is value. No matter the amount you pay, the most important thing is that you get value for your money and the results you deeply desire and need.

Are you ready to pull your weight?

Don't bother looking for a coach if you are not ready for change. A good career coach will challenge your beliefs, perspective, and attitudes. All of these are in a bid to support you to find the answers, but you must be open to change and ready to work towards your goal.

While a coach will hold you accountable for your actions, it's up to you to do the work. They can't make you do anything.

Research the coach's certification

Career coaching is not a regulated industry so anyone can coach or call themselves a coach. That said, several coaching certification programs are available and you should find out which certifications your prospective coach has.

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the world’s renowned and respected certifier of coaching programs. And as the leading global organization for coaches and coaching, ICF is committed to the highest standards of excellence in coaching. You can check the ICF website for certified coaches. Apart from researching the certification of your prospective coach, also interview them. Questions to ask include the clients they've worked with before, the results from previous clients and their approach or framework.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a career coach is a very personal decision and one that can help you achieve your career goals. Remember your coach is there to guide you. It's just like on a soccer field. The coach isn't going to get on the pitch and help players score. They instead provide guidance, strategies, and accountability. Also remember, it is not every coach who is right for you - so don't feel bad if you or they feel you're not suited to work together.

Career coaching can benefit you at any point in your career. And you might find there's a lot you can do on your own before you need one. That said, if you have any questions about career coaching, feel free to ask in the comments below.

If you've hired a career coach before, what criteria did you use? What else would you add to the list above on how to identify the right career coach for you? Please share in the comments below.