Has anyone ever hired a career coach?

7 Comments

1. Jessica FerlandNovember 23,2022 at 2:40PM UTC

   I used one when I got laid off 15 years ago. It was extraordinarily helpful. They not only helped with my resume, but we did practice interviews to build my interviewing skills, and more. Not worth it in a cases, but if you're thinking about it, then go for it.

2. Kimberley Ferretti HammettNovember 23,2022 at 3:42PM UTC

   Hi there, Career Coach here! If you're main focus is Resume Optimization a Career Coach might not be right for you. There are professional Resume writers and even free resources online (google Harvard Resume Template) that can help with the resume piece without shelling out too much. The reason I say this is because with a coach you typically pay for so much more than resume skills and, though it can definitely be a step up, nothing that a coach or resume writer can guarantee specific results in terms of being hired. There are so many other factors that go into the hiring process. I have worked with large corporate companies and small government orgs and within the same organizations seen vastly different recruiting and hiring practices. You just don't know the style of the person reading your resume or the hiring manager. Often the relationship between those two greatly determines the hiring process. (ie- you might be able to optimize your resume to get noticed by the recruiter but if that recruiter doesn't know how to show the hiring manager you're a good candidate without specific experience then there's nothing you can do.)

   I can't speak for all coaches as there is not really a set industry standard for what determines a "coach" but when you pay the higher cost for a coach, what I believe you should be getting is a relationship with someone who facilitates your own discoveries then assists you in creating your own career guidelines. Personally, I tell my clients my goal is to help them to create their own guidemap for all future career decisions to ensure they support their personal goals and avoid finding themselves in positions where they cannot sustain their energy. Occasionally we find blocks like imposter syndrome, lowered confidence, unrealistic expectations or misconceptions that we work through.

   Again, there's a spectrum. Some coaches focus more on structure and tangible results but that may not result in long-term growth if you're not overcoming the less tangible blocks. On the other end, some coaches lean heavy on the motivational approach and don't provide as much support in the sustainable actions you can take to apply your energy. In my opinion, a coach that is worth that kind of money will fall somewhere in between and avoid giving you direct advice on your question about the junior role to instead help you come to a conclusion that makes sense for you individually (because the truth is.. there's just no one universally correct answer.. sorry!)

   I hope you find that insightful. I love my job as a coach and I feel strongly about improving the industry because I don't like to hear experiences like yours, investing a lot of money and feeling like you didn't get what you wanted out of it! If your biggest concern is the resume visibility start with the Harvard document and definitely work on networking!

3. AnonymousNovember 23,2022 at 7:09PM UTC

   Thank you! That was a very good insight.

4. RobynNovember 23,2022 at 4:46PM UTC

   Following: I've had a similar experience with PM work. I was very Sr in my in my old role (ELT level), but I wanted to shift my focus to PM primarily (it was a part of the previous role ad-hoc). I had a great exec who made room to keep me in her org, but I have started at the bottom again (after 20+). Currently same grade as a new hire. I'm frustrated by the early career work and how my tenure at this company isn't recognized since I shifted my role. I know paying your dues is a thing when you're new, but I have years of working in the org and with the company that I feel should count for something when it comes to grade and pay. Am I wrong?

5. AnonymousNovember 23,2022 at 7:14PM UTC

   Thanks you! That’s reassuring. I have a very diverse personal background and global professional experience (working in 3 different countries), freelancing, small biz owners experience so I know I will deliver just struggle to showcase it all (or at least the relevant parts) in the way that truly reflects my skills. I have an awesome can-do attitude, emotional intelligence and build great relationships. All that is currently listed on the resume but still not getting much traction.

6. Linda GutinNovember 26,2022 at 6:11AM UTC

   Hi,

   Do you have any mentors who can help you talk this out? I suggest my clients ask just a couple of people "Can we talk about my career - I could use some advice." Just pick people who really like you and have a nice, no-stress conversation.

   There is a free FB group called "T3 Transition to Tech: Career Strategies for Women." Members seem to get a lot out of.

   Full disclosure: I am a job search coach and I work with one of the founders, who is a career coach. After hiring me to do her resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile six years ago, she snagged a new role with a more than 40% increase in salary. So, when she launched T3, she asked me to do the resumes and cover letters of her coaching clients.

   In her day job, she's Director of Product for a very large global firm. She and her partner started it as a side hustle to help women avoid paying for things they don't need or that don't suit them.

   Her coaching program isn't free, but there's a lot of good free content in the FB group; and people in the community respond to your posts.

   You can leverage free advice to help make a decision, but the right coach can really help you with your career. A new job just being on facet of the overall strategy, etc.

   It's 1:11am and I'm done!

   Cheers,

   Linda G.

7. AnonymousNovember 26,2022 at 7:59PM UTC

   Thank you Linda! I’ll check the FB community to start :)