A Guide to Career Coaching: what is it and when do you need it?
71% of millennials are unhappy with their jobs. This has to change. The great resignation is well under way, and we are seeing people thinking about their career in a more holistic and strategic way. Whether you are looking to transition in your career, to develop leadership skills, or to figure out what you want to do in life, a career coach may be the right solution for you.
So what is career coaching? In this post, we’ll delve into what career coaching is, why you would need it, when is the right time to find a career coach and how to find one.
What is career coaching?
Career coaching empowers you to be more successful and fulfilled in your career. Each person’s coaching journey is different, but it generally looks something like this: you’re unfulfilled with some aspect of your career, you hire a coach, they assess your current situation and work with you to set goals and develop a plan to reach them. At the end of the journey, you will have achieved your goals and you’re left feeling more empowered and fulfilled.
How Does It Work Practically?
Each coach works differently, they can provide 1:1 sessions, group sessions, workshops, or other packages that address your needs. Choosing which package works best for you depends on the stage of your career, whether you have specific goals or not, your budget, your timeline, and your favorite way to learn.
For example, if you don't have clear goals but you know you're unhappy with the way things are, you can hire a coach for 3 months and meet with them 1:1 on a bi-weekly basis. You'll start by identifying what is making you unhappy, then set goals to turn that around, and finally work on achieving these goals. If, on the other hand, you have a clear goal like negotiating an offer you received, a one-time workshop on that specific topic can be just what you need.
What to expect from your coach
You can expect your coach to support your vision and goals by providing structure and asking you to step outside of your comfort zone. You can expect them to be good listeners and to hold up a mirror for you to confront your current realities, while helping you go from where you are now to where you want to be.
It’s tough to do things alone, especially when you’re at a point in your career where you’re confused, stuck, or unhappy. A coach can provide you with:
Guidance
Experienced coaches have either been through your problem or have worked with other clients who have. Their job is to expand the possibilities in front of you and to make you see that more is possible.
Accountability
Coaches will hold you accountable to what you plan to achieve, and that can be just the right push you need to take action.
Frameworks and Structure
Coaches are trained to ask the right questions and to give you good frameworks to work through any problem that you’re facing. This will help you reach solutions faster and more efficiently
Unbiased Feedback
A career coach tells you what you need to hear. A coach will be objective in providing you with unbiased expert advice, you will get honest answers all in an aim to make your career goals a reality
When is the right time to get a coach?
Whether you are just starting a new job, planning on leaving a job, can't seem to find a job, or simply want to get better at what you do, a career coach can give you the perspective and guidance you need to move on to the next step of your life.
Here are some examples of when to look for a coach:
Career Confusion: you are feeling stuck and lost in the job you currently have and you don’t know what to do. A career coach can provide the guidance and support to identify your needs and expand your opportunities.
Major Career Change: changing careers is a significant shift and you may need the right professional guidance to ensure a smooth decision-making and transition process. This career change could be changing the industry you currently work in or changing job positions within the same career (could be a promotion or a completely different role in the same industry you work in)
Starting a Business: you want to start your own business but you’re scared to do so or unsure about where to begin. A career coach can set you on the right track by engaging in a step-by-step decision making process.
Job Searching: your CV/resume is incompatible with the job market. A career coach can help you with a job search strategy that helps you land your dream role.
Finding Your Purpose: Finding a meaning in your career will allow you to thrive, a career coach can help you set goals and motivate you to find this purpose.
Building Leadership Skills and Overcoming Challenges: A career coach can provide you with strategies to enhance your skills in team management and executive presence. They can also help you build confidence and overcome challenges in the workplace.
Landing A Promotion: you already have a career you love but wish to get promoted. A career coach can help you develop strategize on how to land that promotion
Improving Your Overall Performance: you want to become more productive in the job you already hold. A career coach can help you optimize your performance by working on your skills in time management, task-setting, and the allocation of priorities.
TIP: Consider looking into finding a career coach when you first detect a sense of discomfort in the workplace, don't let the feeling snowball!
How to choose a coach
Currently, the most common ways to find a career coach are through referrals or social media, however they only offer a limited source of career coaches. At Unleash, we aim to expand your access to coaches and provide you with options that best fit your needs.
You can do that by following some basic steps:
Identify your coaching needs
Research coaches: Check out the coach’s public profiles (on Unleash, a personal website, or their social media profiles). Review their previous clients, see if they worked with anyone similar to your case and how they helped them.
Schedule consultations: Most coaches offer a 15 minute introductory call. See if you find chemistry between you. Test the waters! Ask about their coaching philosophy, how they approach the coaching relationship, what type of services they provide, and their prices. You can even ask them for a sample coaching conversation to see their style.
Compare coaches: talk to 2-3 coaches to understand the different offerings and see what works best for you.
Hire the best fit!
Is Career Coaching Worth It?
Yes it definitely is! According to the International Coaching Federation (ICF), there is a 99% rate of satisfaction in individuals and companies that hire career coaches.
Allow yourself the chance to Unleash your full potential! Start by taking the 4 min quiz on our website, and we'll match you with your ideal coach.