Are you looking for a career coach, or wondering if one can help you through this chapter of your career? Let me share three essential things to consider while looking for one.

When selecting a career coach, it’s essential to consider certain factors that can greatly impact your coaching experience.

1. Career Coach Experience

First and foremost, when seeking a career coach, it’s crucial to evaluate their real-world experience.

Do they have hands-on experience in a business similar to yours?

Or do they primarily operate as intermediaries, earning their income by placing candidates like you into jobs while prioritizing their relationship with hiring companies?

In the latter scenario, it’s essential to recognize that their loyalty may lie more with the company than with you.

Trust me, I speak from my seven years of experience in recruiting and hiring within various industries.

Unfortunately, that’s how the game is played.

If you’re collaborating with a career coach who claims to have your best interests at heart but receives compensation from another party, it’s wise to exercise caution or, at the very least, be fully aware of the potential conflicts of interest.

A genuine career coach will always prioritize your needs and goals.

2. Career Coach Availability

The second thing to consider is the working hours of the career coach.

If your work schedule falls within regular full-time hours, such as nine to five or eight to six, it’s important to assess whether the coach’s availability aligns with yours.

If the coach is only open when you’re at work, it raises questions about whose interests they truly serve.

Are they truly on your team?

Take into account the coach’s schedule and consider whether they prioritize your needs as effectively as they could.

3. Career Coach with Freedom of Choice

The third consideration is whether they provide you with a wide range of opportunities to expand your perspective, skills, and options.

Are they simply asking for your resume and trying to fit you into a predefined box?

Or do they genuinely offer you the freedom to explore what would work best for you?

Do they just sell hours, or do the have programs of education, training, mentoring, and skills development that will enable you to thoughtfully and intentionally evolve both personally and professionally? For an example, take a look at the Career Acceleration Roadmap.

In today’s rapidly changing world, especially for the newer generations, it’s important to have the opportunity to research and gather information and skills to make informed decisions and grow your career and performance. For another example, take a look at the Career Acceleration Academy.

Dynamic Career Landscape in the Modern World

Gone are the days when everyone expected to have a single 30 or 40-year career, as was common in the 1980s and 90s.

Society now embraces the notion of multiple careers as individuals continue to adapt to evolving industries and market trends.

When I was in college in the 90s, experts projected that individuals would have around seven careers. However, in the last decade or so, that number has increased to 17 or even 27.

This significant rise can be attributed to the widespread application of software and technology across various industries.

As a result, we find ourselves constantly needing to retrain and acquire new skills every year or two. It’s likely that you’ve encountered new software systems, and you and your company are still in the process of fully understanding and adapting to them.

If a company or coach presents you with a limited menu of choices in a world that is evolving rapidly, it’s wise to seek advice from a broader network.

Look for coaches who prioritize your interests and can offer a wider range of options. Doing so will help you better prepare for an unpredictable future that cannot be accurately predicted by the market.

It’s important for you to recognize that whatever menu of options you are presented with is likely designed to serve the employers and businesses of the current market.

However, as your skills become outdated and less relevant in a year or two, you will need to find a new path forward.

In Summary

As you search for a career coach, it’s crucial to consider these three factors. Take these factors seriously, reflect on them, and have initial conversations with multiple coaches, as some will be a better match for you than others.

Schedule a Clarity Consultation

If you’re interested, schedule a 45-minute clarity consultation for free with me or one of my coaches through the link down below.

I am excited to meet you and be a part of helping you make your best career choice yet.

Together, we can select a path that aligns with your goals and provides the direction you truly desire, rather than attempting to fit into the next restrictive box that never quite feels right.

For a number of years, that was my own experience, but I eventually figured it out.

Now, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you in finding what works best for you. Take care, and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Click here to schedule a 45-minute clarity consultation.

Finding a Career Coach: 3 Must-Have Factors