26 May Why Choose A Career Coach?
Job And Career Searches Are Frustrating!
Why choose a career coach? If you have been applying for jobs or searching for the right career, you know that today’s job and career searches are so frustrating. On the one hand, the internet has made getting information about job searching very easy. On the other hand, the amount of information can be overwhelming. As a career coach, many people come to me because they are frustrated about their job or career search. They are trying to make sense of conflicting information online about such things as what is the best font to use for a resume, whether to use a template for a cover letter, or what to say in response to certain questions in the interview process. Many people are looking for quick answers without seeing the bigger picture. Through the coaching process, we discuss all of the other things they should be doing as well. People often ask me if there is one thing they can do to get a job or advance in their career. Parents ask me what their kids should be focusing on when they are doing a job search. The bottom line is that there is no single answer. There are many things that need to be done to launch a successful job or career search. It takes time, effort, and a financial commitment. It involves moving outside of your comfort zone. It involves being willing to examine what you bring to the table, but also what you might lack. Everyone is not suited for every job or company. You can get some quick answers in coaching, but it is best to take a more long-term planning approach. Career coaching is a process that helps people explore their career options. Done right, it takes a comprehensive look at their unique personality, hopes, dreams, current skill set, beliefs, attitudes, and desires about compensation, and what challenges, motivates, and gives them a sense of purpose and meaning. Here are some common questions with answers that people ask me about career coaching.
Is Coaching Worth The Investment?
Why choose a career coach? Some people are reluctant to undertake coaching-not sure if it is worth the investment. Some think they can figure things out themselves but then realize that is not longer working. They start to search for coaches and ask, “cant I do it in only a few sessions,” and sometimes remark that “it seems expensive.”
Career coaching is such an important investment because the work we do together will last a lifetime, and can influence your finances, how you feel about yourself, your quality of life for years to come. It is more than just building a good resume and cover letter. In our coaching process, we can assess your personality type, your interests, and explore career options that fit your personality.
We can also discuss industry-specific job boards to post your resume on, how and where to network, how to use and obtain informational interviews, how to manage anxiety, and boost confidence. We can do mock interviews to help people be more comfortable and to build confidence.
Coaching allows people the opportunity to explore all their options using various career testing instruments and create a short and long-term career plan. Coaching helps people to examine what interests, challenges and fulfills them, what standard of living they desire, and what skill set or experience they might need to acquire to progress in their career. A career coach also allows people to establish a timeline that can motivate them and allow them to feel they are working toward something. Too many people just take a job without thinking it through, then feel stuck, become complacent, and come to a coach feeling like they are wasting time that could be used to make a higher salary.
What One Thing Could I Do To Be Successful And Advance In My Career Or Job?
I recommend that anyone looking to advance and be successful hire a career coach. A career coach will help them explore everything they need to do to advance in their career. Unfortunately, there is no one thing that can be done, because to be successful in a job or career involves many factors, and doing any one of these in isolation will not enable you to be successful and advance. Each job is different as the job requirements, work culture, and personalities of those involved are never the same.
It also depends on your definition of success and your boss’s definition of success. The key is to be very clear on what the expectations are for the particular job and career. If you are passionate about the work involved in meeting those expectations and are willing to do what it takes for success then you will be successful.
What Are Hiring Managers Looking For And What Do I Say To Get An Interview?
If they are a competent hiring manager they will look for a fit between the job requirements and the skill set and experience of the applicant. Increasingly, hiring managers are using Applicant Tracking Systems to screen resumes to look for a match between the keywords in the job description and the skill set text on the applicants’ resume so it is essential that the applicant use resumes that are properly formatted so they get past the ATS level of screening and get to the hiring manager, as an improperly formatted resume gets filtered out.
When I have served in the role of a recruiter, I want to see that people can give me examples of when they used the skills required for the job I am trying to fill.
You must find a job that is a good match for your skillset and personality but also gives the employer everything they want from someone in your position. So it is important that you have questions for the hiring manager about the job and company to make sure this position is right for you.
What Career Advice Could You Give Someone Who Can’t Afford Coaching But Wants To Figure This Out On Their Own?
Career Coaching is an investment in your life. Nothing is more important. Your ability to create an income determines everything, your lifestyle, where you live, who you associate with, and how you spend your time. Coaching is not for everyone. Coaching involves time, energy, motivation, and the ability to be objective and challenge yourself. People should consider coaching so they have an opportunity to explore all their options using various career assessment instruments such as the Strong Interest Inventory and are then able to create a short and long-term career plan. This includes examining what interests, challenges and fulfills them, what standard of living they desire, and what skill set or experience they might need to acquire. A career coach also allows people to establish a timeline that can motivate them and allows them to feel they are working toward something. Too many people just take a job without thinking it through, then feel stuck, become complacent, and then feel like they are wasting time that they could be used to make a higher salary. Doing career searches on your own can be overwhelming. There is just too much information on the web and it is easy to get sidetracked or get on the wrong path. By hiring a career coach you can get on track, be accountable, and feel more like you are on a path that is true to you.
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