Can’t see the wood for the trees? Reasons to use a career coach

Anyone who is thinking about a career change needs to know what is involved and there is much to consider as using a career coach or career consultant can facilitate the process.

The process may include assessment, reflection, research and testing options together with personal homework and patience before you gain real and lasting clarity on what to do next.

Can you see the wood for the trees?

You must also understand that while your career coach is a key partner in career coaching, you must assume responsibility for your own success. [pullquote]Just like on the tennis court, your coach is there to offer guidance, strategies, helpful drills and accountability; but if you really want to win the match, you are the one who needs to complete the drills, practice the shots and serve the winning ace.[/pullquote]

Should you use a career coach?

1. Career coaches, career consultants and career management specialists; the same and all specialists. By using a career coach you will have expert knowledge and resources to tap into. Before you decide on which coach to use, look into their background and training and where they are affiliated. You will want an accredited coach with a recognised training.

2. You want someone to understand your problem and your personal situation. Whether it’s being overlooked for promotion, being unhappy in your job, recent redundancy or a return to work after a career break a career coach will understand the issues and be able to support you in resolving them effectively.

3. Choosing the right coach could take time; you will want to understand their mode of working and their client base. Look for testimonials and ask for their fees and charges, their expectations and what you should be able to achieve.

4. The better prepared you are for career coaching, the more successful your sessions will be. Organise your ideas, problems and set up your agenda for discussion. Your career coach will also have their own agenda but must be able to consider yours as a priority. If you can, send key information to your career consultant in advance of the meeting; this will also give them an idea about what issues are most important and what needs to be focused on.

5. Having clarity and defining exactly what you want to do next will be one of the first tasks that you’ll undertake with your career coach. Once you understand your life purpose, and recognise your strengths you can consider what roles are directly aligned with your goals. You will be more successful, happier and more satisfied at work once these elements fall into place. Your career coach can offer resources and a variety of tools to help you set your goals.

6. Career exploration will give you a focus on achieving your goals. Understanding yourself, where your expertise lies, and your key strengths and vocational interests, is all part of the process and the recognition of who you are and what makes you tick. The more you learn about yourself, the better you can present yourself on paper and in person and the more likely you are to achieve your new role. What better way is there than using a career coach who can objectively offer probing questions, engage you in discussions and feedback your ideas to you. They will ensure you set solid foundations for your new career and that your job search will be realistic and achievable.

7. Developing your personal brand, and capitalising on social media will be one of the key elements to consider when working with your career coach. You will want to position yourself correctly, have a keyword rich CV/resumé and understand where you should be present online. Your career coach will guide you, give you models and formats to follow and suggestions that ensure you are presented in the best possible and most appropriate way to attract the perfect employer with the ideal job.

8. Job searching is an art in itself. Hard work and dedication are involved. Keeping motivated and on track with a career coach ensures you are accountable and that you structure your day accordingly, using the most up-to-date job searching tactics.

9. Interview preparation including current modes of interview and types of questioning are part of a career coaching service. Your career coach can prepare you with hints and tips on not just how you look and act but how you answer questions and what questions you could ask that create the right impression.

10. To achieve your goals, and to get that job, you will need to track your results and share them with someone who is actively interested in your progress. Your career coach will be behind you all the way. They can make the difference in your life with their inspiration and commitment to your objectives.

11. You can share your successes as you job search with your career coach; and work with them on any weaknesses to overcome these limitations to ensure you can make a difference on each application you make. Your career coach will help increase your odds to success with a logical structure to their sessions.

12. To recognise your strengths, personality traits and vocational interests, etc., career coaches may use a suite of psychometric tools. These are meant to be helpful and give you ‘food for thought’.

13. Learn from your career coach’s experiences. They have knowledge, skills and expertise that can challenge and encourage you to obtain your ultimate goal. If it is a complete change of career and involves a long process of smaller objectives, they can offer you ongoing support.

14. Research is a very important part of the job search process. It’s not just preparation for interviews, but also about discovering more about companies, culture, different roles and the right people to meet. Your career coach can make sure you are looking at the best information and give you ideas about where else to research to enhance your applications and ensure you are selected for interviews.

15. Your networking opportunities will increase once you have a well respected and known career coach. If you remember that a high percentage of jobs are found by knowing someone, your career coach could be the gateway to your new job in more ways than one.

16. Your confidence will improve, your self-presentation will be good and your motivation will be high with your career coach alongside you. Regular discussions and reporting back mean you have to be accountable and able to monitor your progress. You will see that you are making great advancements in your job search and realise that their support is invaluable.

17. Regular meetings and contact with our career coach are invaluable, you need to take advantage of their knowledge and services by actively participating and committing to the process of career coaching. This is not a passive service, the more you contribute, prepare and disclose the better, and possibly quicker, you will get the result you want. The career coach will be there for you with planned sessions, questions to ask, issues to discuss, generated ideas and give you homework assignments and tasks to complete. Use these sessions constructively and you will be making the most of your investment.

Do you know what you want to do and how to get there? If so, do it yourself. If you are unsure about what career direction to take, if you have little idea of how to get somewhere – speak to a coach and see what they can do for you. Most coaches offer a free conversation first.

Career coaching will provide you with invaluable help for your job search but in the end remember, it is you that will GET THAT JOB.

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