lol, well, I won't take the anonymous comment before this to heart (I'm a coach).
The problem is "Coaching" is not a regulated industry so there is no standard that they have to abide by and really, anyone can call themselves a coach, they don't even need a certification! (And even if they did, there are so many certs out there and the variables as to what is taught or how the learning is checked is so wide)
Obviously I have some bias here as a coach myself but I'll try to answer your question from a coach perspective objectively with some helpful tips from someone in the industry.
Cons:
-To my initial point, coaching is not regulated so that is a con in terms of it being more difficult to know what you will get. And yes, there are hacks out there. There are also inflated egos are successful themselves who think they can do a great job but are really just spouting out what they did. This will take some investigation on your part and a little forethought as you go into a consultation and/or agreement with a coach.
-If you are looking for a structured "how to", you may be drawn to a coach that acts as an advisor and, if their advice doesn't work for you, you may feel or even be made to feel like it's your fault which is a self-esteem killer and makes the process even harder. Of course, there will be some technical things they can advise on, like resumes, but even that is never one-size-fits-all so be aware that no one has "the" definitive answer.
Pros:
-True coaches give you very individualized attention and help you to discover your own path vs giving you one to follow. This can sometimes feel like a con to some (I mean, it'd be so much easier to just be given an answer!) but it gives you a higher likelihood of sustainable success and creates greater independence for yourself (ie- feeling more prepared for the next time you are looking to or even forced to shift).
-Many clients find benefits beyond career-improvement as they build confidence and skill throughout that help them with other aspects of their lives. Coaches can be a safe-space to share ideas, discover blockers and work on self-development with non-judgemental support. (In fact, I had one client who, in our conversations, realized the only reason he had higher career aspirations was because he perceived his role as below his intelligence level, however, he was otherwise enjoying his work and company, had immense flexibility and ability to travel and was financially secure to enjoy everything he wanted. His coaching experience changed his perspective on his career, not his career itself! And he became happier for it.)
-This goes back to individualism but you get to choose your coach so you can decide what style works for you whether you need someone who will validate you, motivate you, or even be an accountability partner with a little "tough love" (or even a combo of those). You can also ask your coach to adjust their approach both before and throughout the journey.
Some tips on finding the right coach for you:
-Have a consultation call with them and come prepared with questions. Some good things to ask are what their style is, what their typical clients are like/what they gain from the coaching, what (if any) assessments or resources they use, what (if any) certifications they have, their background before coaching, if they have a coaching agreement and if you can see it.. maybe even ask if they've ever turned away a client and why.
-If you can, get clear on what you would like out of a coaching relationship. This can change through the process of course, but it will be easier for you to see if you're aligned if you have a good idea of what you are looking for.
-Try to get them to answer some of your questions before you tell them everything you want. If you lay out exactly what kind of coach you want and they turn around saying that's exactly the kind of coach they are, it's hard to tell if they are just saying that to get your business or if it is a true representation.
-Having said that, a good coach asks great questions. If early on a coach asks you questions that make you dig deeper, see differently or better articulate something about yourself.. then that is a good sign of what the coaching experience would be like.
Hopefully you find these helpful in your decision and potential search! Let me know if you have any more specific questions, I'm happy to answer :)
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