7 Tips to Find the Right Career Coach for You

Hiring a career coach is one feasible way that can help you grow professionally, in a measured and focused manner. But, to ensure the coaching can effectively work for you, you need to find the right one.

Some people say that the best way to look for the right career coach is through word of mouth referrals. Others, on the other hand, suggest looking for a coach from a legitimate platform can assure you a great coaching experience.

Instead of wondering which one is right, let’s take a look at the guide to find the right career coach that we provide in this article. Also, learn about the pros and cons of hiring a career coach so you can be prepared for it.

Without enough knowledge, finding a career coach can be stressful and time-consuming. So, follow these steps to find the right one for you:

To find the right coach, you need to be clear in defining what "right" looks like. Coaching is a development program tailored to personal needs. This means that the role of a coach is to help you figure out what you want to do.

Ask yourself whether you need help building a resume, preparing for interviews, starting a new business, or switching careers. By understanding your needs, you can narrow down your search for the right type of professional.

Career coaching encompasses various specialties, and coaches have diverse backgrounds and expertise. If you already know what type of coach you need, determine the services you think are relevant to your goals. Assess the specific services you require, such as consulting on high-level matters, resume checking, or personal brand building.

Once you've identified your service needs, you can use them to match with the expertise that coaches offer. Typically, coaches have specific focus areas of expertise. Use your requirements as benchmarks to choose the right one, indicating it with the coach's relevant study background or their accomplishments in specific areas.

It’s true that one of the best ways possible to find a coach is through referrals. Reach out to people you trust to give recommendations. You can contact your friends, family members, or colleagues who have previously worked with career coaches.

Make sure to clearly state your intentions when asking them. Explain your goals and the circumstances you’re facing so they can consider suitable recommendations based on their testimonials.

Besides asking for referrals, you might also utilize your coach search through networking on social media platforms. There are many social media platforms that can facilitate your search for finding coaches, like LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter.

Another way to try is to engage in relevant events. Attend industry events offline, webinars, or online group discussions to connect with experts within your field. From this networking, you can possibly list potential coaches.

Join industry-related institutions. You might actively engage in bootcamps, online courses, or community discussions to leverage your list of potentials. Many institutions have partnerships with career coaching services or offer in-house career development resources.

This can be an effective way to try, as you're already searching for potentials directly in a segmented area. If you need assistance, you can ask for recommendations from program coordinators or administrators who know the coaches better.

Consider enrolling in coaching associations or organizations. For instance, you may think about the International Coach Federation (ICF), the National Career Development Association (NCDA), or the Career Development Association of Australia (CDAA).

Such associations typically offer directories of certified career coaches and provide resources that can help you find that one match with your criteria. Shortlist qualified professionals by joining coaching programs or purchasing products recommended by these associations.

If you want to directly browse qualified professionals, you might consider using online platforms like ADPList, Dealls, or The Muse Coach Connect.

These are online platforms dedicated to connecting individuals with career coaches. From these platforms, you can browse profiles, read reviews, and directly book sessions with them.

Especially since there is no regulation governing it, the price to hire a career coach can vary significantly depending on various factors. You can find different prices for coaches depending on their experience, location, programs offered, duration, and expertise. However, there remains a way to get it for free.

Free

The best way to get a free coaching session is through online platforms like ADPList. This platform offers mentorship sessions that you can join for free. As a coachee, you can join with no requirements and choose coaches that suit your needs.

Although it’s free, the coaches are verified and have proven expertise and skill set. You can start by browsing the profiles and checking the reviews before booking your session.

Paid

If you couldn’t find the right one on the free platform, you can seek paid career coaches who will offer you help that is worth every penny. The average cost is about $100 to $150 per session.

Some career coaches charge an hourly rate, but others may offer packages that include a bundle of sessions. For example, a career coach can open sessions for you who want to learn public speaking and build a personal brand, and you can attend two sessions for $150 instead of paying the regular rate of $100 per session.

However, the prices may still vary depending on the location and other factors. Some career coaches sometimes offer group sessions, where you can receive a session with other coachees or get a free session. You can use this opportunity as an initial check to confirm that you suit with the coach.

Now that you know career coaching is not cheap, you may need to reconsider its necessity. Is it really necessary for you? Well, considering the positive impact it can have on your career in the long run, it actually seems reasonable. Read on for the pros and cons of hiring a career coach provided below to help you think about it.

Pros

Can grow fast and help you formulate the plan on your job hunting or job acceleration activity

Coaching can provide personalized guidance to help you formulate a plan for your career. Whether you’re in the midst of your job hunting or job acceleration journey, coaching can offer insights, strategies, and resources tailored to your unique circumstances.

Get valuable golden nuggets from industry expert that you can't get via course or other learning platforms

Working with a career coach allows you to access valuable insights from industry professionals that you may not get through courses or other learning platforms. Since it’s based on real-world scenarios, you not only learn theoretical knowledge but also gain practical understanding of the field.

Lessen the time you spend job searching, getting projects, growing a network, etc.

Leveraging the expertise of a career coach will streamline your career activities, such as the job search process, expanding your professional network, and identifying relevant job opportunities more efficiently. As a result, you’ll spend less time on fruitless endeavors and more time focused on meaningful career growth activities.

Can provide extra motivation

Coaching programs can help you set actionable goals and track your progress, which can result in extra motivation during challenging times. A career coach can be essential in maintaining your consistency to achieve your goals.

Cons

Can be expensive

One of the primary cons that often holds people back is the potential expense involved. Career coaching can be costly, especially for those on a tight budget or in the early stages of their career. Therefore, it’s important to weigh the cost against the potential benefits and consider it as an investment.

Need to really picky (there are bunch of scammers out there)

The coaching industry is not immune to scams or unqualified practitioners. There are a bunch of scammers out there, so it’s important to be selective when choosing a coach. To avoid getting involved in a scam, make sure to do thorough research and get recommendations from trusted sources only.

Can take time to find the right one

Finding the right career coach sometimes can take a lot of time and effort. It involves researching, scheduling initial meetings, and assessing compatibility. It’s possible for you to do this multiple times to find the best fit. So, it’s better to invest time in finding a coach who aligns with you without rushing, which may lead to dissatisfaction.

While hiring a career coach offers numerous benefits, you need to weigh the pros and cons carefully to make a decision. Make sure to put your money, effort, and time worth it by finding the right one who you’re comfortable with their communication style, approaches in coaching, and most importantly, having relevant expertise in your field areas.

Do you want to pursue career in finance or accounting industry? Get your job recommendation with Epicareer today.

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