Do I Need a Career Coach?

When you are in the process of making a career change, whether it is a lateral move or a step up from where you are now, do you need a career coach?

Throughout my years as a career coach for soft spoken female professionals, I've heard numerous clients wonder if they really need one. Check out this article from novoresume; signs that you’re ready for a career coach.

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Do I Need a Career Coach?

At this point, you should have a solid idea of what career coaches do and what are the benefits of hiring one to guide you professionally. 

And yet you might still be wondering: “Do I need a career coach?”

Ultimately, that is up to you to decide. After all, you know better than anyone where you are professional, what you want out of your career, and what your priorities are for the future. 

That being said, some telling signs you’re ready for a career coach especially if you are a soft-spoken professional (and some that you aren’t) are as follows:

DO hire a career coach if: 

1. You’re experiencing job angst. If you’re increasingly feeling like you hate your job but aren’t sure whether it’s anst, burnout, or a time to quit, a career coach could help you sort it out. 

2. Your personal brand needs work. Your personal brand is a mixture of your professional identity, which includes your resume, cover letter, portfolio, and even how you present yourself in job interviews. If you feel those elements are not yet aligned, a career coach could be a good idea. 

3. You’re struggling to find a job. Have a degree, work experience, and qualifications but still no job? You might not know where to look, have low self-confidence, identify as soft spoken, or barely do any networking. No matter the case, a career coach could help. 

4. Your career has stalled. If it’s been years since you felt challenged by your job or were promoted to a new position, your career might have stalled. Yet, it might be hard to make a change because you’re too used to your current situation, or you simply need the money. A career coach could help you gain a new angle on your career (or regain your passion).  

5. You find it hard to stand out from the crowd. It’s a big, big, market of job seekers out there, so it’s logical to want to stand out. If you’re finding it difficult to find your edge, however, a new pair of (professional) eyes doesn’t help. 

6. You’re not self-motivated. Many highly-capable soft spoken people have difficulties motivating themselves to achieve their professional goals and it’s not all that surprising; it can be challenging work. A career coach can keep you accountable to your goals and help you set benchmarks to achieve them. 

7. You’re ambitious. If, on the other hand, you’re ambitious, with clear professional goals and objectives, then a career coach could really be what you need to accelerate your career. Their experience could be just what your drive needs. 

DON’T hire a career coach if:

1. You think they will magically have all the answers. If you hire a career coach thinking that a simple 3-step process will get you the job of your dreams, you might as well save your money. While coaching programs will teach you loads, you ultimately need to work on a daily basis to achieve your goals. 

2. You’re reluctant to work on yourself. Much of the “homework” career coaches give their clients involve personality tests, self-reflection or even some spare-time networking. You have slim chances for results if you aren’t willing to work on yourself. 

3. You have trouble opening up to others. For career coaching to work, you should be open to your coach. This includes being open to constructive criticism, feedback, probing questions, conversations, etc.  

FAQs on Career Coaches 

Have some of your questions on the topic gone unanswered?

Here are the most Frequently Asked Questions on career coaches: 

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#1. What is meant by career coaching?

Career coaching is an advice-giving process that involves receiving support, help and guidance to reach your professional goals. Career coaching can support all levels of professionals with different aspects, such as getting a job, changing a career, entering a new field, networking, building or regaining their confidence, finding their strengths, etc. 

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#2. What is the average cost of a career coach?

The standard rate of career coaches is $75-$150/hour, however, more in-demand services can reach up to $250 and $500 dollars. 

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#3. Should I invest in a career coach?

Whether you should invest in a career coach is ultimately a personal choice, however, do consider investing in one if you’re experiencing job angst, struggling to find a job, feel your career has stalled, or you find it difficult to stand out from the crowd, among other factors. 

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#4. What can a career coach help with?

Career coaches can offer soft spoken professionals of all levels invaluable help, including: 

• Teach in-demand skills

• Create a relevant resume

• Build confidence and connection

• Craft your personal brand

• Make informed professional decisions

Key Takeaways

That’s a wrap! By now, you should be able to decide whether hiring a career choice is a step in the right direction for you. 

Here are the key points you should consider: 

• Career coaches can help soft spoken professionals with different experience levels reach (or adjust) their professional goals. 

• Some of the top career coaches in 2022 are Stephanie Heath, Fabiana Dantas Leal, Jackie Mitchell, and Claire Wasserman, among others. 

• Some of the benefits of hiring a career coach include gaining in-demand skills, making informed decisions about your career, and successfully crafting your personal brand, among others. 

• Don’t hire a career coach if you expect them to have all the answers or if you aren’t ready to work on yourself.