Are career coaches worth it?

Question

What does a career coach really do for you? I'm fairly early in my career, and I'm not 100% sure what direction to go. So, I thought about taking to a coach maybe? Do they help with interview prep?

Anonymous · Answer

I've heard good things from friends who've used career coaches and you can find one who is specifically for interview prep, etc. I'd say your best bet is to find a career coach who works/worked in your industry/career path of choice and use them if you're looking for professional development. Many of the generalist career coaches are more like life coaches and may not be super useful if you have certain goals/jobs you're targeting.

Marina Sideli · Answer

I think they can be helpful for helping you realize your potential and learning how to leverage your skills. It's difficult to 'sell yourself' and I think career coaches can help you learn how to do this in a strategic and mindful way. Sometimes it takes someone else telling you that you would be great at something to believe it yourself.

Alyson Garrido, Career Coach · Answer

Great point, Leah! No one (friends, family, coaches, friends) can tell you what career is right for you. That's something to discover yourself.

Career Coaches have tools and assessments to support clients in finding those answers. When I work with clients who are considering a career change, it's about identifying strengths and talking about how those strengths are used at work.

Many people can go it on their own with resources, articles, assessments, webinars, etc. For people who want personalized feedback, support, or accountability, coaches can be helpful. Most coaches will have an introductory chat, so it's worth it to talk with a few if you're considering coaching as an option. You'll have a clearer idea of exactly what each does and if that's what you need.

Leah Shi · Answer

I personally think career coach is not very helpful. If you are not sure about what you want in your own career, how would other people know. Interview prep is all about self commitment, no one can really force you, and there’re lots of online resources for interview prep.

Are career coaches worth it?

You're invited.

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