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What is a Career Coach?
(Throughout this article I will refer to Career Coach even though I recently changed my title to Career Facilitator. Too many people were hanging up their shingles and calling themselves Career Coaches without credentials to back up their expertise. Yet, there are many fine professionals who are Career Coaches. Since Career Coach is the accepted term in society, I have decided to use it throughout this article.)
How many times have I been asked that question? It is one of those things I understand and am realizing most people have a pretty limited view of what a career coach can do for you. More and more articles are written on success that has been achieved by using coaches. Especially CEOs are understanding the advantages of having a career coach to help them put balance back in their lives and help them keep focused. |
Kathy was not only a Career Facilitator for me, she became a friend. Kathy took the time to find out who I was, what I enjoyed and what would make me soar.
Her encouragement and knowledge has helped me be where I am today! There are not enough words to express my greatfulness to Kathy!
~Patty Mason, Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital |
Through the years I have collected great quotes describing career
coaching-- good one liners. I saved them thinking some day I would
write an article on coaching. The day has come and I have decided
to throw out what others say and put into my own words.
1. Career coaches do not set the agenda for your time together - You Do.
The first question I ask when we sit down together is "What is our outcome for today?" Keep in mind a good coach understands fully that your relationships, emotions, finances, career are all interrelated….sometimes the subject may not be your career at all. If a coach tells you what the agenda for your time together is or what to think, beware.
2. Like visiting a good museum or listening to a lecture….your coach and you time together is most effective if it is around one hour together.
A good coach pays attention to you and only you when you are together. That is why I personally prefer to coach people out of their offices and homes. Clients need the one hour for themselves, not the emergency or to get the drink of water for their child. Coaches are there to mirror back what you are saying and what they are hearing so they help you with more constructive language or new approaches. Frankly, a good deal of their efforts is focused toward keeping you on track so you can meet your goals or start a new career.
3. What should I be doing, I know my present career isn't working?
When you visit a bookstore, you can see many titles that suggest to you they will help you find your “true path” “passion” or whatever word you want to use. The interesting fact is that the books are not keeping up with our rapidly changing economy consisting of personal service/technology called "Emotile" by Edie Weiner, a futurist, who recently spoke in our community.
If you need to figure out your next career, ask the prospective coach how they would help you determine that aspect of your life. If they say "We will explore over the next six weeks, think a while before you hire them. You could be using five weeks of that time moving toward your new career, not trying to figure it out.
4. A good career coach is terrific at doing resumes.
A resume, done right, is one of the fastest self-esteem builders a coach can have in her tool belt. You do so many things on a daily basis, it is easy for you and it is your job, so no big deal. Thus, you assume everyone knows how to do what you do in your career. A good coach knows what others have accomplished and it is REAL easy for them to identify some traits that are truly needed and serve as transferable skills in the world.
A good coach will alert you to the fact that the resume is time consuming--four rough drafts are the norm and takes you out of your comfort zone because you are being asked to tell the story of your accomplishments. It is not bragging, it is merely spelling out all the great things you have already accomplished in your life.
5. A Coach's ultimate outcome is to see you make progress toward becoming all that you can be.
- Have you started that book you wanted to write?
- Have you started music lessons with the guitar?
- Have you forgotten how much you love tennis?
- Have you made your sales goals this year?
- Have you figured out what you could be doing to enhance the culture in your office?
- Have you figured out how to use your talents in a new position?
- Do you have a plan to get your dream?
- How many times have you put off applying for a position because of the interview process?
- How many times have you put off what you love because you don't believe you can make money at it?
Yes, those are the kind of questions career coaches can help you with. You know why I know? Because I have my own coach. Yes, I am human too - there's something about reporting to someone other than your spouse or friend that makes you keep moving forward.
6. A good coach is non-judgmental.
We have all made decisions that were not in our best interest. Those decisions are in our past. Yes, you can tell your coach about them and if they reaction is dismay in any way - time to find a new coach.
7. Your conversation with your career coach is totally confidential.
That is why CEOs find them so helpful. They can talk about how lonely it is at the top, admit they have fears and need help to balance their career and their personal life.
“I cannot stress too much the need for self-invention. To be authentic is literally to be your own author……to discover your own native energies and desires, and then to find your own way of acting on them."
~Warren Bennis, ‘On Becoming A Leader’ |
Recently, a client introduced me as her career coach at a social function. That night I realized that career coaches are now respected and trusted. I am proud to be part of profession that is helping people stretch and grow. Are you living up to your potential?
Request a coaching booking now.
To learn more about me, please visit the About Kathy page. A list of my credentials is available. Be sure to check into my helpful 55 Networking Tips eBook and read more about my CD, "Connect with People - It's the little things!"
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