3 Scenarios That Indicate You May Need a Career Coach
Some people seem to know from a young age what career path they want to take, and they follow it with focus and determination. However, it’s not that straightforward for everyone. In fact, most people struggle to find their calling, so you certainly shouldn’t feel bad if you aren’t sure what the best path for you is. Many graduate high school or even university without knowing exactly what kind of job or career they want to pursue—even if you study a subject at length, you still may not know if it’s worth committing to professionally. Others want to try a few things they enjoy, exploring the different options available to them before deciding which one would make the best career choice.
Maybe you’re somewhere in between—you thought you knew what you wanted, but after working in your industry for a while, you’ve realized it’s time to make a change and find a new path, but you’re not sure which way to go. It could also be that you’re feeling stuck in your job search, which can be tiring, time-consuming, and frustrating when you don’t see the results you were hoping for. Looking for a job is a stressful experience for anyone, especially if you’re not making the headway you want, and feeling dejected makes it even harder to continue.
Whatever your case may be, just know that it’s not uncommon to feel lost or stagnant in your job or career, but that’s what career coaches are for. They’re professionals who can point you in the right direction, help you regain your motivation and confidence, and guide you toward a more fulfilling career. If your thoughts are chaotic and unclear, they can help you organize them and identify the best career path based on your strengths, weaknesses, goals, and desired lifestyle.
That said, career coaching isn’t for everyone. Although it can impact your professional life in a significant and positive way, it also requires you to invest time and money, which is why you should always do your research and ask for recommendations if you know anyone who has used such services. If you want to save time vetting career coaches, get over-the-phone career coaching from one of our experts. Available anywhere and at any time, we make connecting with professional career coaches easier than ever, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
So, do you need a career coach? Here are three scenarios that suggest so.
1. You feel stuck in your current role
If you’re stagnating in your current job and don’t see opportunities to move up, it might be time to hire a career coach. Even if you aren’t looking to switch careers, a career coach may be the perfect solution to help you advance in your current workplace.
A trained expert can help you understand why you aren’t making progress and how you can start moving up, whether that means seeking a promotion at the same company or looking elsewhere for new opportunities. They can also provide valuable insights to help you advance toward your goals, either at your current company or in your job search. A good career coach can analyze your performance and your organization’s structure and health to diagnose any issues and come up with a solution to help you move forward and rediscover your passion and motivation. Whatever your goals, if you feel stuck, a career coach may be just what you need.
2. You haven’t been able to land a job
The job search process can be brutal for some people. It can be exhausting to scroll through endless vacancy listings, painstakingly tailor your resume and cover letter for each application, and look for the names of hiring managers so you can address them directly. From the stress of preparing for job interviews to the anxiety of waiting to hear back, the whole thing can take a heavy toll.
Finding a job usually takes a while, especially if you have highly specific expectations. With potentially hundreds of qualified candidates competing for each position, it’s only natural that you won’t always come out on top. However, if you’ve been consistently applying for jobs and not making it quite as far as you expected, it might be time to speak to a career coach.
Whether you keep getting stuck in the first round of interviews or constantly coming in second, there might be a disconnect between the job requirements and the skills and experience you’re bringing to the table. You might not be presenting your qualifications appropriately in your resume and cover letter, or you might not be applying for the right jobs for you. There could also be something else holding you back, and if you haven’t been able to identify the problem yet, a good career coach can. Whatever you’re struggling with, they can help you pinpoint the issue and come up with solutions to address it—and suddenly, your new job may be a lot closer.
3. You don’t know what career path to take
Whether you’re just joining the workforce, returning after a long break, or looking for a change, a career coach can help you find the right path to follow if you’re feeling lost or stuck. Maybe you’re fresh out of high school and struggling to choose from all the options before you, or maybe you’re a seasoned professional but aren’t feeling fulfilled in your career—whatever the case, it’s normal to have doubts about your future. Perhaps you don’t know what you would like to do or what you can do with your skills and experience, but a trained coach can match your qualifications to different roles and careers and help you find something you could also enjoy doing. They’ll take into account your goals and ambitions as well to devise the plan that will bring you the most success and satisfaction.
Obviously, not everyone loves their job, but deriving some sort of enjoyment or fulfillment from yours is essential not only for your mental health and work-life balance but also for your professional performance. When you consider the amount of time you spend working, the importance of choosing a job that suits you and contributes to achieving your goals becomes immediately clear. A career coach will take a look at all your transferable skills, your previous work experience, and your accomplishments to help you shape the narrative of who you are as an employee and match that profile to what could end up being your ideal job. It may take multiple sessions to determine what’s best for you and your future, but good career coaching can be life-changing.
Hiring a career coach can be a great move if you have the time and money to invest in your professional growth, so if you’re considering it, make sure you understand exactly what you’re paying for, how much time you’re getting per session, and what services the cost covers. It’s important to work with a career coach who you get along with and feel comfortable opening up to, so be sure to carefully vet the candidates. To learn more about what our career coaching includes, check out our job success services and speak to our team of experts today!
