Career Coaching 101
When you need to file your taxes, write up a contract, or repair your car, you find an expert in that field who Knows what to do and how to do it correctly. We wouldn't think twice about hiring an accountant to handle our taxes or a lawyer to deal with legal paperwork. Why not take the same care with your career? If you are looking to move up, change industries, or are not satisfied with your professional life, a career coach can guide you and help you find a path to a career that brings you satisfaction and pride.
What is a career coach, and what do they do?
You might be asking yourself, "why do I need a coach?" I can search for jobs myself. Why should I pay someone else to do it?
For one thing, career coaches do much more than help you find a job. Coaching is about giving you the skills to do it yourself rather than doing it for you. A good career coach will sit down with you and help you articulate clear goals for yourself.
Maybe you don't like your job but are unsure how to change. Or you have been in your current role for years and want to move up the ladder. Perhaps you are looking to change industries but are nervous about jumping into the unknown.
All of these are examples of when coaching could be a huge benefit.
Coaches help grow your confidence, build skills, encourage your path to self-discovery, and create strategies to move forward. A coach can help you develop your brand, fix your resume, and teach you how to interview and network in a way that will get results.
What a career coach can not do is put in the effort for you. A coach is not a magic solution that will hand you a six-figure job on a silver platter. If you are not committed to doing the work, then a career coach would be wasting your time and money.
- Who can benefit from hiring a career coach?
When the words career coach are thrown around, many think of executives in the corner office looking to climb even higher up the company. That idea may have been accurate at one time, but these days a career coach is for anybody serious about making a change in their career. Career coaches are not even limited to the corporate world. It doesn't matter what field you are looking at, what level of education you have, or your end goals; there is a career coach that can help you advance yourself professionally.
When should you hire a career coach?
Some of the most common reasons to hire a coach:
Unsure where to start – if you are starting your professional journey and don’t know where to start, a career couch can help you figure out what you want and how to get it.
Dissatisfaction or apathy about your current job – A career coach can help you find the company, position, or opportunity that will light that spark and make you excited about your work.
Stagnation in your company – If you have been at a company for a while and can't seem to go anywhere, a career coach can help you show your company why you deserve the next promotion
A significant change – If you are thinking of making a significant career change but are nervous about the unknown, a career coach is perfect. They can offer the reassurance of knowing that someone has the experience and can guide you on your new path
Demotivation – if you have been busting your butt putting in application after application but can't seem to get an interview or move past the interview, a career coach is an invaluable resource for fixing the bug and getting you into a new job.
Where do you find a career coach, and how much do they cost?
If you are looking for a coach, they are everywhere. Countless websites and social media postings offer quick, cheap, easy career coaching. These days, it seems like every Tom, Rick, or Harry wants to sell you his expertise on landing that big corner office with a fat raise. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. But where can you find legitimate coaches? Are there even legitimate coaches?
Yes! For every quack trying to scam, there are quality, honest and experienced coaches offering services. There are coaches with accreditations, coaches with special programs, and coaches with specific industry experiences. The best way to choose is to search for someone with experience in your field and contact them! Most honest coaches will meet with you for free to get to know them and make sure they can offer what you need. You can check their rates and services to see if they can help you. You can find coaches everywhere, from freelance websites to your own company. Remember that not all career coaches are the same when searching for one. Coaches come in a wide range of qualifications, specialties, and skill levels. Career coaches, much like therapists, each have their philosophy and approach to helping clients. When looking to hire one, it's necessary to find someone with whom you feel comfortable and connected. Every coach offers a unique package of services and prices depending on your individual needs.
Misulis Group offers quality, affordable coaching packages to individuals in any industry who want to change their life and find a job that inspires them. The members of our team love what they do. Our goal is to help others find that same professional satisfaction and meet their goals. If you are interested in quality coaching from people who love what they do, you can find more information at our MG For You page.
