What to Look for in a Career Coach
Thu, September 6, 2012 at 11:23 Tweet
A career coach offers services that are a valuable resource for anyone who is experiencing a transition in their career. They can help a person to discover what the best type of career is for their long-term prospects, or they can help a person to decide if it is time to change to an entirely new career. Regardless of the type of career that a person is seeking advice for, the most important thing is for a person to find the right coach to help them to meet their goals:
Consider Your Goals
Every career coach has a different strategy for helping their clients along in their career paths. While some are best for helping a person to apply for a job, others are excellent at helping a person to open their own business. Therefore, it is important to ensure that a career coach is aligned with the goals for which a person will be seeking employment. Take a look at this article for more pointers on identifying the right career coach or adviser for you.
To get a sense of the type of people who can coach well you may want to look at our team of career coaches or to explore an online career coach directory to find specialist coaches who focus on different areas of expertise.
Career Coach Characteristics
Much of the work that a career coach will do is accomplished through conversations. Therefore, it is imperative that a career coach be able to effectively communicate with their clients. They should also be resourceful and have a background that is rich in experience and credentials. Additionally, a career coach should be patient and able to make their client feel comfortable throughout the entire career advisement process.
As a person will be sharing a great amount of their personal experiences with the career coach, they should also seek someone who is trustworthy and honest. Ideally, a career coach will be able to supply references that can vouch for their integrity and experience.
Training and Experience
There are a variety of training methods that career coaches employ as they become certified to coach. A quality career coach will have undergone a rigorous course of study that will prepare them to advise others on how to find the best career. They may also be a member of a professional organization within their field. Additionally, many career coaches are accredited through the International Coach Federation. This credential offers a way to provide a career coach with a credible source for reference. Other professional bodies do exist and you can find out more about these here (Professional Coaching Bodies).
When looking for a career coach, it is important to view the overall range of services that they have to offer their clients. They should have a proven track record that includes a combination of experience, training and professional accountability. Using the resources that a directory has to offer is the best way to find and compare these traits in order to find the right coach for a person’s career goals.
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