Being a career transition coach is one of the most meaningful and engaging jobs you can have. Not only will you be helping people reach their full potential, but you’ll also be equipping yourself with highly valuable experience that will look good on your resume.
Trying to find a new job can be both scary and exciting. There are many things that go into finding a career transition coach, but it’s important to do your research before you start searching for the right one. Here are five tips that will help you find a career transition coach:
Do Your Research
The first thing you need to do when looking for a career transition coach is get educated about what goes into finding one. Be sure the person coaching you has the necessary skills and expertise so they can successfully place you in your next job. You will want to get clear on their communication style, how often they check in with clients compared with other coaches, and their track record for placing candidates into the job they want.
Read Reviews
After you’ve completed your research, be sure to look at reviews other people have written about career transition coaches. Look at their positive and negative feedback to get a better idea of what to expect from this person. You may also run across complaints concerning price or schedule. Take note of any potential red flags, so you don’t invest your time, money, and energy with someone who won’t help you move forward in your career.
Ask Around
You can never go wrong by asking friends and family members for referrals or contacts that might be able to connect you with a career transition coach. Your close circle will likely know someone who’s made a professional transition recently and be able to share their own experiences with coaching.
Uncover Personalities
Next, schedule a quick informational interview with any career transition coach you find who sounds promising. Don’t worry about being too formal or stiff in the discussion. This is your chance to ask questions and see if you feel comfortable working together. If everything feels right, go ahead and hire him or her! When speaking on the phone or via an email exchange, notice how easy it is to talk with this person. Pay attention to whether they are warm and helpful or more business-like; that will tell you how well they might work for you over time.
Do An Interview
When possible, plan some face-to-face time with your potential career transition coach. In addition to the above conversation, get a better sense of who they are and how you feel about their brand. This will be an opportunity for you to ask the questions that really matter to you and give your career transition coach a chance to prove himself or herself in person.
Finding a career transition coach is a lot like hiring a personal trainer. You want someone with expertise working on your side so you can achieve success as quickly as possible. When it comes down to it, what’s most important is how comfortable you’re with this person and whether or not he or she has your best interests at heart.