Should You Work with a Career Coach? A Guide to Career Coaching

Career coaching dates back more than a century. Frank Parsons is considered the founder of the vocational guidance movement. He developed the Vocation Bureau of Boston in the early 1900s to help young professionals secure meaningful work.

Today, career coaches continue to help workers in diverse industries create career paths that keep them engaged. A July 2020 report by Gallup recorded the most significant drop in employee engagement since 2000. Only 31% of employees were engaged at work, and 14% were actively disengaged.

What does employee engagement mean? It signifies that an employee is highly involved in, committed to and enthusiastic about their job and employer. Considering you likely spend around 40 hours or more at work each week, how you feel about what you do can have a significant impact on your health and well-being and relationships with loved ones.

When you know it’s time for a change in work, but you’re not sure where to start, a career coach can help. Learn what exactly career coaching is and how to know you might benefit from working with one.

Interested in career coaching? Get in touch with HiConsulting Services for a free consultation.

What Is Career Coaching?

A career coach helps people who want to improve their work situation. In some cases, this may mean moving into a whole new field or leaving a company to find a similar job somewhere else.

In other situations, a career coach may help someone who wants to continue working for their employer, but they need training on how to advance their role and be more effective at work.

A career coach provides assistance with the following.

• Figuring out what type of career utilizes your skills and interests
• Identifying employers and roles you’re qualified for but may not have thought of
• Helping you be a more effective contributor where you work, by sharpening your leadership skills and productivity
• Teaching you how to cultivate relationships that can lead to career advancement

When you work with a career coach, you’ll explain what your goals and interests are, what your current career trajectory has been like and how you want your job to impact your life. A career coach will help you explore all relevant options that can help you move forward in your career.

If you are changing things up entirely and moving into a new field, services like resume creation and LinkedIn optimization can help position you for new opportunities.

How to Choose a Career Coach

Anyone can claim to be a career coach. How do you know who to trust to help you advance your career?

A credible career coach will:

• Have human resources experience
• Have connections to career agencies
• Understand best practices for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), job searches, resume creation, cover letter writing and LinkedIn profiles
• Be an expert at interview coaching
• Be an excellent communicator and have strong emotional skills to motivate you and provide helpful training, insights and advice

A professional career coach will also provide you with a free consultation so you can understand if they’ll be a fit for what you’re looking for. As you research and compare career coaches, ask about typical client outcomes so you know what to expect.

Reasons to Consider a Career Coach

Working with a career coach may be the best investment you make for your career. Whether you want to increase your salary or be happier at work every day, an outsider’s perspective and support can help you improve your professional situation.

If any of the following statements sound familiar, it might be helpful to use career coaching services.

• I dread going to work most days.
• My focus at work is poor because the job is boring/not challenging/overwhelming and stressful.
• I don’t feel like I’m contributing meaningfully at work.
• I feel stagnant in my role. I want to advance but don’t know how.
• I want to change careers, but I’m unsure where to start.
• I’m not using my skills and talents at work.
• I don’t feel confident at work.
• I know I want to look for other jobs, but I need help with job searches/my resume/my cover letter/interviewing.
• I feel OK in my current role, but I’m curious about my potential.
• I want to make positive changes in my career.
• I need someone to hold me accountable.

A career coach can help you at any point in your career. Someone who specializes in professional development can provide you with a unique perspective and help you see your strengths and career potential from a different point-of-view.

If you’re interested in seeing if a career coach is the right fit for you, book a free career coach consultation with HiConsulting Services. Read 3 Reasons Why It’s Never Too Late to Change Careers.