Should I Get Career Coaching?

Whether you’re just beginning the journey down your chosen career path or struggling to make a career transition into a new chosen field, there are many reasons why opting for career coaching might be the right choice for you. Many people might find the concept of career coaching odd, given that you’d be having a stranger tell you how to get to your dream job or accomplish career goals. However, the reality is that having a third party who can hold you accountable and develop the tools you need to go after what you want can make a huge difference in finding the perfect job for you. Read on to learn more about career coaching and whether it might be a good option for you.

What Exactly Is Career Coaching?

A career coach is a professional career path expert whose job is to support you in your career path. Career coachesare usually most helpful at pivotal points in your career, for example, if you’re starting out, if you’re looking to make a significant career change, or if you’re interested in taking the next big step up. A career coach can solidify an action plan to move your career forward, provide valuable insights on building a competitive resume and portfolio, and develop smart and achievable career goals.

It’s important also to remember that when it comes to career coaching, you’re investing in a support system to help you make smart and thoughtful choices, not in someone who’s going to do all the work for you. A career coach will not fill out application documents for you, write your resumes and cover letters, or refer you to recruiters. They will help you develop the tools you need to do this yourself in the most efficient and successful ways. Career coaching is a sustainable approach that allows you to build the skills and tools yourself to carry on into your future.

Getting Help vs. Self-Exploration

Planning out your career path, particularly if you’re mid-career and looking for a change, can be extremely daunting. For many people, however, it’s also an exciting challenge. If you are confident in your ability to do independent research, networking, goal setting, and action planning, all while staying on a timeline and prioritizing the next steps, then forging ahead with your career transition seems like it could very much be in your wheelhouse. For many people, however, developing these action items can feel overwhelming. If sticking to a timeline is challenging without the accountability of an external person to help you stay on track feels like you, then seeking out career coaching support may be a good option.

When Might You Benefit From Career Coaching? 

As we said previously, there are severalpoints along your career journey where you might benefit from career coaching. Here are a few examples:

Beginning Your Job Hunt

Looking for a new position can be very intimidating if you’re entering the job market. Developing your resume and cover letter and finding the right places to search for the jobs in your field are all huge endeavors. A career coach will be able to help you develop a strong application portfolio and alsodevelop a personalized searching strategy so you can make sure you’re looking and applying in the right places.

Struggling with your Job Hunt

If you find you’re sending out loads of applications without receiving any responses, it might be time to get in touch with a career counselor. They will be able to provide you with some insightful feedback on your application documents and also examine your application strategy to determine where the disconnect is.

Interview Stage Rejections

If you’re often making it to the interview stage but not moving forward, it’s a good idea to get in touch with a career counselor to practice some essential interview techniques. With a career coach, you’ll get feedback on your interview skills and practice new techniques that you can use moving forward.

Mid-Career Apathy

Finally, if you’re feeling bored or stuck in your current career and looking to make a big change, a career counselor will be able to help you find a path to do that. Switching careers can feel scary; however, with the right tools and timelines, it can be as simple as one step at a time.