Should I Hire A Career Coach?

Are you standing at a crossroads in your career? Perhaps the thought of hiring a career coach has crossed your mind, but you only have a vague notion of what that is. Do you need one, and is it worth the investment?

No, you don’t need a career coach. You, me, and millions of others have managed to find jobs without the help of a coach.

So, if you don’t need to hire a coach, why would you?

Glad you asked. Here are the most common instances when coaching can be helpful.

You’re feeling stuck

You’ve been wrestling with what’s next for a while and still find yourself clear as mud. When nothing feels exciting, that can be scary. You wonder if there’s anything out there that’s going to make work interesting again.

I’ve also had clients who’ve had a string of promotions, but are wondering if the job they have is what they really want instead of what they “should” be doing.

Coaching will help you explore how your career fits with who you are – how your values, skills, and talents are expressed through your work. When your career is in alignment with who you are and what you want to accomplish in your life, you feel a sense of meaning and fulfillment.

It also helps to have a coach see patterns in your skills and interests, as well as point out contradictions in your thinking. Broadening your awareness can help you see yourself in a different light and reignite your sense of possibility.

You need help breaking out of your comfort zone

You know it would be easier to find a job doing something similar to your current role. But deep down, you yearn for something more. That’s when the fear and imposter syndrome start whispering in your ear, and you find yourself waffling on whether it’s possible to go after what you really want.

Each of us is walking around with our internal narratives. As a coach, my job is to help you identify and examine those limiting beliefs and see them for what they are – stories that your mind is telling you to stay comfortable and safe.

When you realize that you’ve been inadvertently holding yourself back, you gain the confidence to aim bigger and be bolder.

You’re struggling to carve out time for your job search

Sure, when it’s a bad day at work, you’ll do a flurry of job search activity…but then weeks go by with little progress. Everyone’s needs seem to come before your own and it’s a struggle to get the headspace you need for a thoughtful, strategic search. You want to find a way to make your career change a priority while still keeping a million balls in the air.

Coaching helps accelerate your progress in a number of ways. First, our sessions provide an intentional time for you to think and process. It’s often the only time during the week my clients have that’s entirely focused on them and their needs.

Another problem is that the gap between where you are now and where you want to be feels so wide that it’s easy to get overwhelmed, discouraged, and lose motivation. I help you break down the job search into a manageable plan so that you're consistently making progress. That, in turn, fuels your motivation and keeps you feeling optimistic.

Lastly, it helps to have an accountability partner, gently nudging you when you need it, and reminding you that it’s possible to get what you want.

You’ve been doing all the things and still haven’t gotten anywhere

You’ve been applying….and reaching out to your network….and applying some more. Nothing is working and you’re burnt out. You could use a fresh perspective and a framework that doesn’t make you feel like you’re throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks.

I guide clients through a five-part process that breaks down the job search into logical and manageable pieces. My clients love having a structured approach. It helps them get clear on what they want and then approach the search with a multi-pronged approach to gain traction faster.

You want a thought partner

You’ve swirled around in your head long enough – and even with a supportive spouse, there’s a limit to how much they can help. You could use someone’s help to process your thinking.

I love the saying “it’s hard to read the label from inside the jar.” We’re often too close to the problem to spot patterns and recognize our faulty thinking. We are also quick to discount our strengths and accomplishments and over-index on our limitations.

My job as a coach is to raise your awareness of yourself and expand your perspective of what’s possible. I help you see yourself with fresh eyes. My marketing and communication expertise also gives me the unique ability to help you create a compelling narrative and position yourself for the job you want.

You’re willing to invest in your development

You recognize there’s value in investing in your personal and professional development. You’re willing to pay for expertise so that you learn quickly, skip the mistakes you might make on your own, and accelerate your progress.

The analogy I use for coaching is like choosing what car to drive. Going it alone is like driving a Chevy…sure, you’ll get to your destination and land a new job eventually.

Hiring a coach is like pulling over and swapping your Chevy for a Corvette. You’ll get to your destination much faster, with more power and confidence, and the journey will be far more enjoyable.

If any of these resonate, it’s worth exploring whether coaching is right for you. Book a free consultation call and we’ll evaluate what’s getting in your way and how I might be able to help accelerate your career search.