Career Coaching: What it is and Why You Need it

Do you feel unfulfilled with your work or facing challenges on what career path to choose? If the answer is yes, you are not alone. It is hard for many people to admit they need help let alone seek it. When you fall ill, you are recommended to go see a doctor. What about in your career? What do you do when you’re struggling to find the right path? You see a career coach.  

Definition  

Who is a career coach and what is career coaching? Well, a career coach is an experienced professional who provides support to career builders through CV and cover letter review, interview preparation, career planning, salary negotiation, job search strategy, and overall career support. The goal is for you to achieve maximum growth in your career and become successful. Career coaching isn’t something instant. It is a reflective learning process that guides you in reaching your ultimate career goals. 

Do you need a career coach? 

Yes. Whether you are just starting out in your career or a senior professional with years of experience, a career coach will help you overcome the challenges faced by most professionals. For example, if you are planning to make a significant career switch, trying to get back to job searching after a long while or need help with defining your career goals an experienced career coach will be a great resource. 

What it involves 

Now that you have a basic idea of what it is, you need to keep in mind that a lot goes into building your career. Here are some of the strategies involved in the career coaching process:

• Career discovery

You may or may not have attended a career fair at some point in your life. These are events organized to guide you in finding the right profession. Such events only last for a few days which might not be enough for you to know which career you want to pursue. When you engage a career coach, they dig into your skills, work experience, and background to find a career that suits you. 

• Redefining your career path

In some instances, you might have taken up roles that were outside the scope of your educational background or not in line with your interest and need to realign with your career goals. A career coach will help you come up with a strategy to help you get where you need to be.

• Resume development

You know which career to pursue so the next thing is presenting yourself on paper by having a tailored resume. In this step, your career coach will work with you to update your resume with relevant skills and detailed descriptions for the job you are applying for. 

• Job search

When your resume is ready, it is time to start applying for jobs. This is the stage where most job seekers get stuck applying for one job after another without any success. With your career coach by your side, you learn how to strategize and stay updated with the current job market trends. 

• Interview

Eventually, when you get an email that you qualify for a job you applied for, the next step is preparing for the interview. In this stage, the career coach will equip you with necessary interview preparation through mock interviews. You will learn how to answer the questions, develop your interview skills and use your body language appropriately. 

• Career development

Even when you get that dream job, there are still challenges you will face along the way. This strategy is going to make you more productive by analyzing and keeping track of your professional progress. 

Why you need it 

After reading the points above, you can identify one or some areas that you need to improve on. Whatever level you are in your career, in the end, you desire to have a lasting and successful future. Is career coaching worth it? Let’s take a look at what you gain by choosing a career coach: 

1. Establish a career path

Other than just getting a job you need a fulfilling career. It may seem pleasant at first that you are earning a good income with a good benefits package. The last thing you want is to realize that you wasted your valuable time on a job that leaves you frustrated. Career coaching will provide you with the tools you need to create your career path. 

2. Accountability and motivation

Being in a state of unemployment you easily lose hope or withdraw from speaking to friends and relatives. You don’t have to go through it alone. A career coach is there to motivate you and guide you out of wallowing in self-pity. They also hold you accountable for the actions you take so that you accomplish your goals. 

3. Gain insight into your professional value

You need to find your worth in the job market. This is why Identifying your strengths and weaknesses is important both personally and professionally. For example, if you are not sure how to negotiate a salary that fits your work experience then hiring a career coach is worth considering.

4. Advice on career decisions

On your career journey, you will encounter one or more situations that will require you to make hard decisions. Your first instinct will be to ask your friends or relatives but their response might be biased or might not tell you the truth you need. You should seek an objective opinion from a career coach who will not tell you what you want to hear but the truth as it is. 

5. Stand out from the crowd

Self-confidence is being able to recognize your value and that your skills are valuable. By hiring a career coach, you’re getting a new perspective on how and what makes you stand out from your colleagues. This provides you with a better understanding of what you want out of your career both short and long term. 

Conclusion   

There are many misconceptions about what career coaching is and why you need it. Hopefully, this article offers you a deeper insight.