Working with a Career
Coach
by Kate Wendleton
Here’s the lowdown on how these “guidance counselors for the working world” can help you reach professional highs.
When I was looking for some professional guidance back in 1978, finding a career coach was like looking for a fairy godmother. I believed one could help, but when I looked around, there was none to be found. The company I was then with was downsized five times and, even so, I couldn’t find a coach. That’s when I started The Five O’Clock Club, a national career counseling organization, to help myself and my friends with our professional paths.
The world certainly has changed. Today, there are plenty of career coaches; in some states, virtually anyone can hang out the shingle. But once you’ve stepped through the door, how can you be sure that the shingle represents a qualified and effective counselor? And why do you need one anyway?
In some states, virtually anyone can hang out a
shingle. How can you be sure that the shingle represents a qualified and
effective coach once you’ve stepped through the door?
In addition to the times when they’re in hot pursuit of
a new job, ambitious people talk with a personal career coach once or
twice a year for a 50,000-mile checkup, in much the same way people
regularly see a dentist. During their meeting, they can evaluate how
they’re doing at work, including how their bosses view them (most people
have plenty of “bosses”) and how they get along with peers, subordinates
and customers. They can discuss an upcoming performance review to put
themselves in a proactive rather than a reactive position. They can bounce
off ideas for playing the “political game” and for dealing with current
situations that need to be addressed. And they can develop a career plan
or revisit a previous one to keep it on track. Those who are uncertain how
they want to proceed with their professional lives typically spend three
to five sessions with a coach. After the assessment, most have a tentative
career direction (a few fields or industries to research), a resume, and,
perhaps, a cover letter.
In addition to the times when they’re in
hot
pursuit of a new job, ambitious people
talk with a personal career
coach once or
twice a year for a 50,000-mile checkup
in much the
same way others regularly
see a dentist.
Then it’s a good idea to attend our group coaching sessions, where attendees receive individual coaching in a group setting. Research shows that those who regularly attend a job-search group headed up by a career coach find positions faster and at higher rates of pay than those who search on their own —or even than those who see a coach privately.
After the assessment,
most have a tentative
career direction
(a few fields or industries to research),
a
resume, and, perhaps, a cover letter.
The cost of a session with a career coach can range from
$70 to $200 per hour, with the first session usually taking longer as more
ground needs to be covered. Avoid a coach who charges a heavy upfront fee,
which is typical of firms that sell to individuals. Instead, pay on an
hourly basis. (The only exception may involve a flat fee for a battery of
tests that typically run in the $500 range, but that may not be required.)
There are some free—or almost free—services available as well, such as
government-sponsored career-counseling services, low-cost services offered
by universities, and church and synagogue support groups. Beware of
for-fee career counseling services offered by traditional retail firms,
which typically charge very high prices to cover office space and
advertising expenses (perhaps $5000 to $7000).
Whatever the fee, it’s important not to sign a contract, such as an agreement for a package of sessions with a fee paid in advance. This way, you are not tied down. You can terminate sessions when you no longer want to use that coach.
For your part, you need to make the necessary commitment to get what you need from your relationship with your career coach. If you meet for a single one-hour session to “fix” a job emergency, the coach won’t know much about your needs, interests, and goals. If you decide to meet for a number of sessions, you’re likely to learn more about yourself and begin to determine where you, personally, fit into the ever-evolving world of work.