Trying to figure out your next career move? No matter if you’re a new high school graduate or a seasoned professional in the grip of an industry switch, it can be challenging to find out where to start.
That’s where in-person and online career coaches can provide some guiding light. Wherever you’re most comfortable, these experts can guide you on your way—without having to take out your wallet.
What Career Coaches Do
Career coaches offer all sorts of services for people like you who are trying to change careers or find their next path in life. Since everyone they work with is in a different phase of their careers, these counselors offer multiple services to support them in the job hunt, including:
- Job search guidance: As any photographer will tell you, “spraying and praying” your way through applications probably won’t give you the results you want. A good career coach provides strategies for finding jobs that match your skills and meet your wage requirements.
- Career exploration: Maybe you’re ready for a midlife career change. No matter if you’re 25 or 55, career coaches ask the questions that help you discover why you’re looking at other industries or roles and how you can get there.
- Skill development: Career coaches have connections. They know which local company- or community college-sponsored programs in your area are best for the skills you need and guide you on how to get those certifications and qualifications on your terms.
- Interview preparation: Mastering the art of the interview is tricky. However, your counselor’s coaching skills extend into this area as well—they’ll coach you on interviewing in a low-stakes setting so you’re more prepared to answer tricky questions with grace.
- Goal setting: It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle of the details when you’re trying to change careers. Since career coaches have an outside perspective and know how to map out your journey for long-term success, you’ll set and adhere to your goals with them, no matter what they may be.
Signs You May Need a Career Coach
If you’re at a crossroads in your career, it’s easy to feel lost about where to start and where you want to go in the long term. A career coach can act as your navigator and guide while providing an outside perspective that keeps you moving forward.
Some signs it may be time to connect with a career coach include:
- Feeling stuck in your career: Maybe you feel like you’re capable of more, but your management keeps passing you over. Or maybe you aren’t getting promoted, or you have a glass ceiling stopping your upward mobility. Either way, a coach can provide clarity.
- Being uncertain about the future: It’s a question everyone has heard at some point in an interview or review: Where do you see yourself in three/five/seven years? If you don’t know the answer or aren’t sure how to get to the end goal you have in mind, a career coach helps you figure it out—even if it means making a lateral move or honing another skill set.
- Wanting to switch career paths: Feel like your talents are best used elsewhere? A career coach has the outside perspective to pinpoint where that is and how to get there.
Tips for Finding a Career Coach
Finding a career coach doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience. But it can be like finding a doctor or a counselor—you may have to “shop around” to find one that’s right for you. Follow these steps while you’re searching for one:
- Seek coaches with experience: Community colleges and nonprofit organizations like SkillUp work with accredited career coaches who have experience helping people in situations like yours navigate their career path.
- Look for referrals and connections: If they have the experience to support their knowledge, your career coach will probably also have connections with local organizations that are hiring, much like a recruiter would.
- Find someone who can accommodate your needs: The right career coach knows that no two of their clients are alike. Ideally, they should also be able to navigate your situation, no matter how complex it may be. After all, your success is their success.
How SkillUp Can Help
Looking for career coaching for free? Look no further—we provide career coaching for everyone from new high school graduates to workers with decades of experience in the workforce.
Your career coaching sessions combine coaching and networking to give you the expert guidance and support you need, no matter where you are in your career. You’ll learn how to navigate the job market, find the right career for you, and make connections that expand your network.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are There Career Coaches Online, or Just In-Person?
Both! There are career coaches who offer their services over video chat, such as SkillUp’s Zoom-based coaching sessions, as well as local in-person options. We even offer free career coaching over text.
Find the right career coaching platform for you here!
How Much Do Career Coaches Charge?
SkillUp’s career coaching services are completely free! You can also find a career counselor who offers services for free at community colleges, union halls, and workforce development departments near you.
While there are also career coaches who charge job seekers by the hour or session for their services, many also receive payment from companies or nonprofit services.
Can a Career Coach Really Help Me Find a Job?
Yes! The No. 1 goal for a career counselor or coach is to help you find a job you want. They’ll connect you with the resources you need to develop your professional skills, and coach you on interviewing until you accept a job offer or otherwise accomplish what you wanted to do.
