A career coach is a professional who specializes in supporting people throughout their career development. They provide personalized guidance for professionals of all experience levels, from recent graduates to senior executives, assisting them with career planning, job hunting, salary negotiations, and more.
Read along to learn more about career coaching, how it can help you land the job of your dreams, and whether hiring a career coach is something you should consider doing.
Key Takeaways
Career coaches provide expert guidance on a range of work-related topics, including resume writing, interview preparation, and personal branding.
Anyone who lacks direction in their professional lives or wants to advance in their career can benefit from career coaching.
To find the right career coach and get the most out of working with them, you should first identify the goals you want to achieve in these sessions.
What Is a Career Coach?
A career coach is a trained professional who helps individuals navigate their professional journeys effectively.
While many such professionals work with private clients, some companies hire them to help their employees thrive in their roles and accelerate their career advancement. A study done by Siera Syailendra suggests that career coaches can help organizations improve employee motivation and performance.
Career coaches provide guidance on a wide range of work-related topics. More specifically, they help clients identify and achieve their career goals, whether it is landing a new job or winning a promotion. They also guide individuals through work-related challenges, such as work-life balance issues, burnout, or workplace conflict.
On this note, let’s discuss what career coaches can help you with in greater depth.
What Can Career Coaches Help With?
Career coaches can help with nearly every aspect of your professional journey, from developing a powerful job search strategy to crafting a career development plan that enables you to achieve your long-term goals.
Here are some of the most popular career coaching services:
#1. Interview Preparation
Job interview coaching can be a game-changer for those seeking to beat interview anxiety and maximize their chances of advancing to the next stage of the hiring process. A career coach can help you walk into the interview room with renewed confidence by:
Teaching you how to introduce yourself to the recruiter effectively
Offering personalized advice on verbal communication and body language
Providing guidance on crafting impactful answers to behavioral interview questions
Practicing tricky interview questions with you so that you don’t get caught off guard
Scheduling a mock interview to give you valuable feedback and enhance your performance
#2. Career Path Planning
No matter where you are in your professional journey, a career coach can help you determine where you want to go and how to get there. More specifically, they can assist you in:
Identifying career paths that best suit your values, skills, and interests
Assessing your strengths and identifying skill gaps that prevent you from moving forward
Clarifying short- and long-term career goals and creating actionable plans to achieve them
In other words, these professionals can help you take ownership of your career and develop strategies to turn your career aspirations into reality.
#3. Salary Negotiation Coaching
Most people will agree that negotiating a salary and benefits makes them uncomfortable, which is why coaching on how to properly do it is one of the most popular services these professionals offer.
They can help you negotiate a salary that you’re happy with by assisting you in:
Identifying your market value
Practicing salary negotiations with you
Developing a strong negotiation strategy
Teaching you how to negotiate a full compensation package (bonuses, paid time off, etc.)
Handling job offers and counteroffers to ensure you don’t accept lower pay than you deserve
#4. Personal Branding and LinkedIn Optimization
A strong personal brand and a well-optimized LinkedIn profile can accelerate your job search, and a career coach can help you with both. While the former is particularly important in industries that value creativity, such as marketing, the latter is a necessity for all job hunters; in today’s job market, seven people get hired through LinkedIn every minute.
Specifically, career coaches can help you refine your online presence by guiding you on:
Clarifying what sets you apart professionally
Building a consistent tone and visuals across your LinkedIn, professional website, portfolio, or other platforms
Improving your LinkedIn profile (choosing a professional profile picture, crafting a strong profile headline, filling out your work experience, etc.)
Writing a resume that perfectly matches your personal branding
#5. Job Search Strategy Development
If you’ve submitted dozens of job applications with no response, it might be a good idea to hire a career coach to help you develop a winning job search strategy. Besides polishing your resume, they can assist you in:
Navigating job search platforms
Improving your networking skills
Organizing your job applications
Crafting impactful follow-up emails
Determining the roles you should target
Identifying the best times to apply for a job
Who Should Work With a Career Coach?
Anyone who could benefit from career guidance should work with a career coach, as it can boost clarity and confidence.
Although low-wage workers rarely receive coaching, a study by Kathleen Marvin demonstrates that it can help such workers:
Manage stress
Improve their leadership and communication skills
Set and achieve goals
Overcome organizational obstacles
Therefore, anyone, regardless of their occupation or earnings, can benefit from working with a career coach.
In particular, career coaching can be helpful for the following groups:
#1. Recent Graduates
Recent graduates often turn to career coaches for guidance as they begin their professional journeys. If you’re about to graduate or have just obtained your diploma, these professionals can help you:
Clarify your career direction
Improve your professional skills
Write a job-winning no-experience resume
Develop a strategy for your job search and interviews
Additionally, researchers from Maastricht University found that career coaches can help students develop employability competencies and smoothly transition to the workplace. So, it’s never too early to start working with one!
#2. Mid-Career Professionals Feeling Stuck
If you feel stuck or unfulfilled at work, hiring a career coach might help you get out of a rut and move forward in your career. They may support you in:
Identifying the root of your dissatisfaction
Determining the best solution to get unstuck
Exploring and evaluating new career possibilities
Redefining your short- and long-term career goals
Addressing fears, removing confidence blocks, etc.
Whether the solution is to make a career change or ask for a promotion, a career coach can help you develop a strategy that will help you confidently take the next step in your career.
#3. Career Changers
Whether you’ve already figured out what you want to do next or are still exploring your options, you may benefit from working with a career coach if you’re planning a career change. A professional career coach can make the process of switching careers much less daunting by helping you:
Identify your transferable skills
Choose the right career path to transition to
Create a career change resume and cover letter
Develop a step-by-step plan to make your transition as smooth as possible
#4. Professionals Re-Entering the Workforce
Returning to work after a break, whether due to health issues, childcare responsibilities, or other personal reasons, can be intimidating. To make a stress-free return, consider hiring a career coach, who can support you in:
Clarifying your career goals and direction
Updating your resume and LinkedIn profile
Rebuilding your confidence as a professional
Most importantly, a career coach can help you learn how to address your employment gap without presenting it as a setback. And if you need to refresh your skill set, they can guide you on how to do it, too!
#5. Executives Looking for Leadership Development
There’s always room for growth, even if you’ve reached the top of the career ladder. An executive coach can empower you to unlock your full leadership potential by assisting you in:
Navigating organizational challenges, such as conflict within teams
Identifying a leadership style that best matches your personality, strengths, vision, and values
Refining your decision-making, communication, and other skills essential in management positions
Furthermore, career coaches can help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, which can be especially challenging in executive roles.
3 Handy Tips on How to Find a Career Coach
You can find a career coach by looking up “career coaching” on Google or another search engine. However, to find the right one, it’s best to follow these steps:
Identify your goals. Some career coaches offer guidance on a wide range of work-related topics, while others specialize in a specific niche. Knowing what you want to achieve is key to finding the right professional for you.
Determine your preferences. If you prefer remote coaching sessions, an online career coach may be just what you’re looking for. However, if you’d rather meet yours in person, it’s best to look for one in your area.
Start searching. If you know someone who has attended coaching sessions, reaching out to them for referrals may be the best way to find a great career coach. While certifications aren’t mandatory for this profession, you may find certified coaches through certification websites, such as the ICF. Be sure to read reviews, especially if you find a career coach through Google or social media.
How Much Does a Career Coach Cost?
The cost of a career coach depends on various individual factors, including their level of experience, location, and any certifications they may have obtained. However, the hourly rate for career coaching services typically ranges from $75 to $500. As with most professionals, those with fewer years of experience (e.g., recent graduates) charge less.
Career coaching can be a significant investment. Once you find a professional you’re interested in working with, schedule an introductory session. This way, you can assess their fit and approach before making any long-term commitments.
How to Get the Most Out of a Career Coach: 3 Practical Tips
To get the most out of a career coach, come prepared, be honest, and do your homework.
Let’s dissect these tips:
Come prepared. Try to determine your coaching goals (e.g., help with job search, career change, asking for a raise, etc.) before the first session to make it as productive as possible. If you feel lost, though, don’t worry; your coach can help you figure them out!
Be honest. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and share your doubts and fears with your career coach, as the more open you are, the more they can help you grow. If something isn’t clear or doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to express your thoughts or ask questions.
Do your homework. Career coaching sessions involve a lot of talking, but you also need to take action to achieve your career goals. So, if the coach assigns you tasks, such as journaling or updating your resume, be sure to complete them.
Alternatives to Hiring a Career Coach
Some alternatives to hiring a career coach include:
Career coaching groups. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option than individual coaching or simply prefer group settings, consider joining a career coaching group. These groups are often held online, meaning you can attend the sessions from anywhere in the world.
Career counseling. Typically found in colleges, non-profit career centers, and employment agencies, career counselors provide some of the same services as career coaches, including guidance on suitable career paths. Their approach is more psychological than that of career coaches.
Online resources. From LinkedIn to Coursera, the internet is full of free career resources. At Resume.co, we offer tons of resume examples you can explore to get inspired, professional job search advice, expert interview tips, and much more to help you navigate your career journey with confidence and ease.
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Use our AI-powered resume builder to create one in minutes!Closing Thoughts
Working with a career coach can be beneficial for most people, regardless of where they are in their career journey. Like all types of coaching, career coaching is most effective when you choose a professional who specializes in the topic you need assistance with, be it resume help, career change, or interview preparation.
Just don’t forget that while these professionals can give you expert guidance, it’s up to you to take action and move your career forward!
Career Coach FAQ
#1. Is hiring a career coach worth it?
Hiring a career coach is worth it if you need professional career guidance. Career coaching can help you identify and achieve your career goals, speed up your job search, and more.
#2. How can I choose the right career coach?
To choose the right career coach, you should first figure out what you want to achieve in coaching. If you’re looking to enhance your leadership skills, for example, it’s best to pick one who specializes in management coaching.
#3. How do I know if I need a career coach?
You can find out if you need a career coach by reflecting on your career journey. If you feel stuck or unsure about your next steps, career coaching could help you gain clarity and move forward.
