Finding a Good Career Coach

Career coaching is becoming an increasingly popular choice for individuals wanting help with their job or career. Reasons for using a career coach are numerous, including needing guidance in focusing on what’s important to enable progression up the career ladder, better managing problems at work and help finding the ideal career path. Once the decision to use a career coach has been taken, finding a good one is the next step. There are a number of ways to find a good career coach.

Recommendations 

This is probably the best way to find a good career coach. If the coach comes highly recommended by someone you trust, chances are that they will provide a good service to you as well. You have the benefit of being able to ask the person recommending the coach questions you may have to get an understanding of what the coach is like before making contact. Knowing they have been recommended will make you more confident with their services.

Ask

Not everyone knows someone who has used a career coach, but there are other ways to find a good one. Ask organisations such as job clubs, community centres, and government employment agencies. 

Search Online

Many career coaches will have their own website, so finding one in your local can be discovered by this route, or if you still don’t have any luck finding one where you live, many coaches offer phone or Skype coaching.

Free Consultation

Once you have found a coach, how do you establish if they are any good? Most coaches offer a free consultation to establish if you are a good match and to give you the opportunity to see if its what you are looking for. If they are not advertising or offering this, its still worth asking if they will.

Accreditation

Some coaches obtain accreditation and becoming members of coaching bodies. These bodies usually require the coach to have a level of training and experience and the coach pays a fee to be a member. The membership and accreditation does ensure the coach has met the organization’s requirements however it is still up to you to decide if they are the coach for you, before you commit. A coach not having accreditation isn’t a negative; accreditation is a fairly new thing and many coaches don’t choose this route; just ensure you do your research and feel comfortable with your decision.

Training

Look at the coaches training. Where did they train? Do a bit of detective work and research where they obtained their coaching qualification. Is it a reputable trainer? Does the coach have any other qualifications, such as counselling or mentoring that could demonstrate a wider spectrum of skills and experience. Also, ask for recommendations and testimonials from previous coaching clients.

Fees and refunds

Before committing, make sure you know the financial commitment involved and their refund policy.

Doing your research before signing up with a career coach will help you make an informed decision and increase your chances of a positive and empowering step forward in your career.

Author Bio: Jen Smith is a Life Coach, Mentor & Writer. She has tried many career paths herself and now helps people achieve their goals and dreams.