Career Change, Mindset, Goals
Do you feel stuck in your job? Do you have a feeling deep in your gut that there is something more out there for you? If the answer is yes, then it's time to take some action! So many people sit on the sidelines waiting for things to happen instead of getting in the game and making things happen.
The truth is that finding a new job – or even pivoting your career- is something you can do without the help of a professional. BUT, like other services you may seek, if you find the right person to help you, you can get where you are going faster (and sometimes farther) than if you were to go there on your own.
Hiring a plumber, or a personal trainer – there are people that are experts that can help you reach your goals in a shorter period because they have been there before and have mastered the ability to get there.
What is a Career Coach?
A career coach is an expert in career planning who partners with you to maximize your personal and professional potential. They often have specific training in resume building, career planning, negotiation, interviewing, coaching, and they know how to help you become more successful in your career.
What are the Benefits of Working with a Career Coach?
Coaches help you get clear on your goals
A career coach will assess your skills, strengths and interests to help you identify your career goals. This may involve taking personality tests or assessments to help you dig deeper into what makes you tick.
Create effective strategies to reach those goals and hold you accountable to them
Once you have explored different career options and determined your goals, a career coach will work with you to develop a plan to achieve those goals. They can help you stay accountable to your goals by setting milestones and checking in regularly to track progress.
Improve your personal brand, networking, and interviewing skills
A career coach can help you position those unique skills, strengths and experiences that you have identified so you can stand out from others in your field. They can help you to craft messaging to communicate your value to future employers. This can be especially helpful if you are changing careers and aren’t sure how your previous work will translate into what you want to do next.
Help you analyze and overcome barriers to success
A job search – especially one where you are looking to pivot careers – can be long and quite humbling. You may get “ghosted” from companies and there will likely be “no’s” before you get a job. Some of the barriers I see clients face include lack of confidence, self-doubt, limiting beliefs or external factors such as lack of resources or support.
Ultimately, a career coach can help you get where you are going faster
Coaches help you bring clarity to your direction so you can avoid wasting your time on activities that don’t align with your goals. They can offer feedback and provide resources to help you develop new skills or overcome challenges or obstacles that may leave you feeling stuck on your own. Having someone you are accountable to is one of the most important benefits because as we all know, life can get in the way of doing the job search work.
I was looking for a coach to help me work through upcoming changes and new opportunities in my life as I transition from being an active parent to one whose young adults will soon both be off at college. This change was causing some feelings of loss. But I also knew the changes would bring new opportunities as well and I thought a coach would help me to really explore and hone in on what I might want to do in my "next act". - Karen G
Is it worth the investment?
A career coach can be worth the investment, but here are some factors to consider.
Are you ready to invest the time and energy to do the work? It's also important find a coach that is a good fit (i.e., coaching style and approach) for you and one that has a track record of helping other job seekers reach their goals.
You should consider hiring a career coach if you are experiencing any of the following:
You don’t know where to start
Are you feeling overwhelmed by all of the things you need to do and don’t know where to begin or what to focus on for the most effective use of your time?
You’re not getting any traction with your current job search strategy
Are you spending most of your time on job boards and the countless resumes you’ve sent out are barely getting any bites, let alone a job offer?
Your professional brand needs work
You hear that it is important to have a LinkedIn presence, but don’t know the best way to show up on social media?
You want to stand out from the crowd
Are the positions you are going after in high demand and your resume doesn’t seem to be getting picked out of the pile?
Your career has stalled
Are you bored or frustrated with your job, but don’t know what other career you should pursue?
You need some accountability
Are you finding yourself slacking or too tired from your day-to-day responsibilities to put in the necessary time to find a new role? Would it be helpful to have a “neutral” person to keep you accountable for achieve your goals?
When it isn’t worth it
It’s not worth it if you aren’t ready to do the work. The coach is an adviser, but they don’t get you a job. You need to be willing to:
reflect on your skills and interests
hone your story
be open to feedback
network, and
continuously assess what is working and what isn’t.
So, what's the verdict?
Career coaching is an investment, but it is worth it if you are serious about making your next move and want someone that will guide you on the path to getting there.
Schedule a Free Discovery call at www.kogoncoaching.com to determine if we are the right fit for you.
