7 things you need to know about working with a career coach
Where do you turn for help with your career?
Phone a friend
Speak to a recruiter
Google, books, podcasts
Suffer in silence
Hire a coach
I’ve tried them all, perhaps you have too?
Each has its pros and cons:
Friends are great for personal feedback but they aren’t necessarily career experts
Recruiters know about opportunities but they have different priorities and limited free time for personalised advice
Google, books and podcasts are useful for inspiration
Suffering in silence – means you don’t have to admit that you’re struggling
Hiring a coach sounds sensible but how do you find the right one for you?
Your career gives you so much more than a salary and security, it also gives you status, reputation and hopefully a sense of purpose – things that you take for granted until you’re unemployed.
But unless it’s a particularly thorny career issue – our cars, homes, and holidays get more attention.
If you decide to work with a career coach, here are some things to consider when choosing the right one for you.
1. What does a career coach do?
Career coaches provide services that can help you achieve your goals, review your strengths, prepare your CV, refresh your interview skills, fine-tune your job search strategy, cultivate a personal brand and professional profile, build your confidence and help you develop your leadership skills.
Plus, you'll get accountability, motivation, unbiased, objective guidance and feedback.
2. Do I need a career coach?
If you’re unhappy at work, struggling with a job search or don’t know what to do next you should consider hiring a career coach.
Not happy at work
Feeling unhappy at work can affect your work and home life. Your performance at work may suffer, you may lose confidence or feel victimised. It's time for a solution, support and an action plan.
Not getting the offers you want
Working with a coach can help you figure out why you’re on the shortlist but not getting the offers you want. Ticking all the technical boxes isn't enough for senior executive recruitment where leadership competencies, fit and confidence could be holding you back.
Don’t know what to do next?
Perhaps you feel stuck in a rut, at a crossroads (again) or that you’ve outgrown your job or sector? Work with a coach to map out your transferrable skills, options, or Plan B.
Hang-ups
Sometimes it’s not a straightforward solution either:
You know that redundancy isn’t personal but you’re struggling to understand why it happened to you.
Self-doubt and imposter syndrome are holding you back.
Not feeling aligned with the leadership or a toxic culture has knocked your self-esteem and confidence.
You’re good at what you do but out of practice when it comes to selling and promoting yourself in interviews.
The middle-aged career clock is ticking and you feel overlooked by much younger recruiters.
CVs that sell
Your CV is the door opener – the rest is down to you.
A professionally written CV may look good on paper but does it help you nail an interview? Work with a coach on how to position your unique experience and value proposition.
Motivation and accountability
Ultimately you are responsible for your career but working with a coach can speed things up and give you more confidence and motivation.
Are you looking for tea and sympathy or someone who will challenge you to think differently?
Job searching can be miserable and lonely – work with a coach to make it more strategic, and dare I say fun?
3. Your career has plateaued, now what?
A new job isn’t always the right solution. A career coach can help you discover the way forward with clarity, confidence and credibility.
4. How do I find a career coach?
A Google or LinkedIn search will bring up plenty of options – use keywords to narrow it down. Ask your trusted network for recommendations. Many of my coaching clients are LinkedIn connections – previously candidates and clients when I worked in executive search.
Follow potential coaches online, read their content and always have a conversation to check the chemistry fit.
5. What type of career coach do I need?
The client: coach relationship is one built on trust and rapport. It's reassuring when your coach knows and understands your industry and its nuances.
Coaches offer group coaching, online self-led programmes and 1:1 coaching – what works for you?
6. What should I talk to my career coach about?
Talk to your coach about your past experiences, present challenges and future goals. Work together on your concerns and your hopes and dreams. Make the most of having a coach on your executive team!
7. Why is it important to have a career coach?
Let’s look at some examples:
You’ve been doing your job for 20+ years and it's been years since you looked for a job. The recruitment rules have changed. You feel rusty when it comes to selling yourself. Knowing that it can take six months or more to land one of those elusive senior roles – work with a coach to get yourself up to speed as quickly as possible.
You’re at loggerheads with the culture and leadership at work, it's been dragging on for a while but you don't feel confident about making a change.. Work with a coach to help you prepare by exploring leadership and the best culture fit for you.
You lost your job during a company restructure and your job search is taking far longer than expected. Meanwhile, the pressure is building at home. Work with a coach on your search strategy and practical solutions.
You’ve started a new role and you’re expected to hit the ground running. Work with a coach to support your career transition.
You’ve neglected your professional profile and network over the years. Work with a coach to work on your personal brand and networking skills.
You’re out of leads and opportunities. Work with a coach on your job search strategy.
Summary
Friends and family want to help but they can’t be objective. Hire a coach for motivation, objective feedback, support and to help ease off the pressure at home.
Choose a coach who offers what you want but be open to services that you need. Find a coach who understands your level, sector, and work/life experience.
Work with a coach to work on specific problems, then check in once a year for a more general career health check or MOT.
If you’re a senior executive or leader who works in fashion, luxury, lifestyle brands or retailers and you need support with your career or job search, get in touch. I’m a Career Consultant, and former Executive Headhunter and I help people like you to land great jobs and be successful at work through 1:1 coaching.
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