You’ve probably heard of a life coach, but what about a career coach? Not just for students anymore, a career coach can pull you out of stagnation. If you feel like everyone else is moving forward in their careers and you are still in the same place, it is time to work with a coach.
Like a life coach, a career coach is someone who can help you better understand the struggles you might be facing in your career and how to overcome them. They tailor a coaching program to your exact needs and then help you realize your career goals—whatever those might be. A good career coach will be familiar with the executive business landscape or your field or industry. They also should have some knowledge of human psychology and how it plays into career development.
You might find that a career coach is helpful if you are trying to make difficult career decisions, struggling to build your career in the way you want, or lacking confidence in your ability to “pitch yourself” to potential employers. These are all obstacles that a career coach is trained to conquer. Just remember: a career coach isn’t there to do the work for you. A career coach can guide you and help point you in the right direction, but at the end of the day, only you can apply for those jobs, write that resume, and nail that interview. So, how does a career coach help you get there?
Here are 6 ways a career coach can enhance your professional life.
1. Discovering your strengths and weaknesses
Unless you’re lucky enough to have a professional mentor, you may not have anyone in your life who can accurately assess your professional strengths and weaknesses. Your colleagues may know but not tell you. Your boss may know but also might not be the type to give feedback. Your friends or partner likely don’t know.
Through the discovery process, a career coach can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses as well as help you learn how to play up those strengths and figure out ways to overcome those weaknesses.
2. Finding a job that fits your strengths, as well as your lifestyle and financial needs
If you find yourself dissatisfied with your job or career trajectory, it could be because your job isn’t meeting your needs or doesn’t fit your strengths. As your career coach helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses, they can make suggestions as to what kinds of jobs would fit you best.
However, not every job that fits your strengths will also fit your lifestyle and financial needs. Maybe you need to make a certain amount of money to support your family. Perhaps you need a flexible work environment that allows you to act as a caregiver or that will enable you to take care of your mental health properly. Whatever your lifestyle or financial needs, a career coach can help you find a job that fits both, for a career path that’s truly fulfilling in every way.
3. Discovering new opportunities and then going after them
Do you feel like your friends or colleagues are constantly having all the luck or they’re succeeding in ways that you don’t think you can? It might just be a case of imposter syndrome or that you’re not taking advantage of the opportunities coming your way. A career coach can help you identify potential opportunities that you may be failing to spot and then help you build up the courage to go after them.
4. Learning new skills and gaining new qualifications
If finding your perfect career path requires new skills and qualifications, a career coach can also help you identify which new skills and qualifications will be most useful. Whether you need to obtain a new type of certification or a degree, make new contacts in the industry, or learn a new software—whatever it is, they’ll help you identify what your resume might be missing and what will look most impressive to potential employers.
5. Branding yourself
Getting employers’ attention requires a certain degree of selling and marketing yourself, which isn’t a skill that everyone naturally possesses. A career coach can help you position yourself on LinkedIn and other social media platforms and via a personal website and resume so that you can grab employers’ attention quickly, leading to interviews and, potentially, job offers. They will help you craft your “elevator pitch” when networking. Your coach is the best soundboard when practicing your opening statement in case you are faced with “tell me about yourself” in an interview.
6. Developing interviewing skills
Just like not everyone is excellent at selling themselves via social media or on paper, not everyone is a skilled interviewer. A career coach can help you learn to put your best foot forward in an interview, whether it be an initial first phone call, a Zoom meeting, or a second or third in-person interview. Say goodbye to those awkward encounters and get ready to go into your interview with confidence.
The bottom line
You might find that a career coach is helpful if you are trying to make difficult career decisions, struggling to build your career in the way you want, or not feeling confident in your ability to “pitch yourself” to potential employers. If all the above sounds like what you need to take your career to the next level, talk to an Arootah coach and see if they could help. Our coaches will help you identify what’s holding you back and hold you accountable for overcoming those career hurdles.
Already in the career of your dreams, but wishing you could level up your leadership skills? Arootah also offers leadership coaching for executives.
Do you have any questions about how coaching can progress your career? Let us know in the comments below!
Even though I am on a career track, I want a coach to speed up the trajectory of my future
Career coaching has helped me in numerous ways! Highly recommend!
Continuously learning new skills is vital to advancing your career!
Career coaches are the only reason I have advanced as far as I have!
Branding yourself is so overlooked. Now it is more important than ever to have top quality LinkedIn and personal websites.
I am currently employed as a sales coach and have done multiple accreditations through their learning center. What was the best advice you received that had the most impact on your career/life?