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What's a Career Coach? Do I need one?

You may have noticed one of the latest trends in career

management is to have your own career coach. It's not really a

new concept. Executives have known for years the value of

investing in the expertise of a career professional. You may

still wonder, "What's a career coach?" and more importantly, "Do

I need one?"

The best way to illustrate the value of a career coach is to

compare them to personal trainers. Anyone can go to a gym and

work out. Having a personal trainer is not a prerequisite to

fitness. The value of a personal trainer is that he/she helps

their client achieve their fitness goal quicker and with better

results. Similarly, a career coach accelerates the job search

process resulting in significantly higher starting salary.

A job-search campaign demands specific skills such as resume and

cover letter writing, networking, interviewing and negotiations.

The best jobs don't necessarily go to the most qualified, but

rather, to those with the sharpest job-search skills. An

effective career coach provides expert advise, insight and

training on these essential skills giving their clients a

tremendous competitive advantage.

The most effective job-search campaign has a strategic marketing

plan and focus. No corporation would launch a new product

without a marketing plan. Every phase is carefully orchestrated

to maximize sales results. A career coaches can help you develop

an action plan designed to 1) uncover more job leads, 2) secure

more interviews, 3) maximize interview results, 4) increase the

number of job offers, and 5) significantly increase your salary.

Not all job seekers need a career coach. If you already have

headhunters calling you with job leads, you're probably OK on

your own. Here are some situations were job seekers could

benefit from the expertise of a career coach: 1) changing

industries, 2) moving into management, 3) changing functional

roles (like accounting to sales), 4) relocation to a new area, 5)

unstable work history, 6) been with the same company for many

years, 7) over or under qualified, 8) over 50, or 9) lack

confidence in your salary negotiation skills. Another way to

tell if you need a career coach is lack of positive results. If

you aren't getting responses from your resume postings or you

aren't getting called back for second interviews, a career coach

could most likely help you improve your skills and get your

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campaign moving forward.

If you decide to invest in a career coach, here are a few things

you'll want to look for. A career coach should be an expert in

the field of career management. Ask about their background and

how they stay abreast of national employment trends. A career

coach should understand employer buyer motivations. Ask if they'

ve ever sat in the hiring seat. A career coach must be a good

listener. If he/she talks more than listens, your objectives won

't be heard or understood.

Like the athlete running a race, your job search is a competitive

event. Prepare to win first place in your job search. As every

runner knows, second place doesn't take home the prize.

About the Author

Deborah Walker, CCMC provides Career Coaching and Resume Writing

to executive job seekers nationwide. Accelerate your job search!

Get your Free job search skills analysis at

mailto:Skills@alphaadvantage.com visit Deborah at her website at

http://www.AlphaAdvantage.com or email her at

mailto:Deb@AlphaAdvantage.com