Should you Get a Career Coach - Pros and Cons

Table of Contents

What is a Career Coach?
The Cost of Career Coaches:
Pros and Cons of Using Career Coaches:

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If you’re mired in a dead-end job or job hunting while on unemployment, you might feel as though you’re in a rut. Repeatedly applying for jobs and getting no responses could indicate an issue on your end. Without understanding what’s going wrong, this pattern may persist. Evidently, it’s time to reboot or rethink your job search strategy. One viable solution is to engage a career coach. These professionals can offer you career advice, refine your resume, and assist in crafting a job search plan that delivers results.

What is a Career Coach?

Career coaches not only review your job prospects but also update your job search strategy and assist you in interview preparation. Additionally, they may provide valuable leads and introductions. Much like in any field, each professional has a unique approach to guiding their clients. The role of a career coach is closely akin to that of a counselor.

“For individuals seeking better employment opportunities, the most significant benefit a savvy career coach provides is teaching them the power of networking and how to effectively leverage it to access hidden job opportunities.

While some sources suggest that 80% of job vacancies can be found online, others propose a figure closer to 30%. The actual percentage likely lies somewhere in between, illustrating that a significant number of jobs are hidden to those who rely solely on online searches. It’s also important to note that only a small proportion of online job openings are filled by applicants responding to these postings. The majority are often filled by internal candidates or through word-of-mouth referrals.” – Jim Weinstein, Career Counselor at DC Life Counseling

While engaging a career coach won’t inherently secure you a job, they offer considerable value through their expertise and guidance. These professionals provide actionable recommendations, helping you to refine your job search strategy and bolster your approach. A career coach works with you to identify your strengths and weaknesses, empowering you to showcase your best qualities to potential employers. Additionally, they provide advice on how to effectively network and access hidden job opportunities. By collaborating with a career coach, you can enhance your job search skills and increase your chances of landing your ideal role.

The Cost of Career Coaches:

Determining the cost of a career coach can be as elusive as estimating the length of a piece of string. Numerous factors come into play, including the coach‘s level of experience and success, your location (with major cities typically costing more), your specific needs, and the duration of your engagement with them.

Industry professionals suggest that you should anticipate spending between $100 to $250 per hour, with the average rate hovering around $161 per hour. Certain coaches might require you to sign a contract with a minimum spending commitment. For a comprehensive guide on choosing the right career coach, consider referring to the Harvard Business Review’s article, “Find the Career Coach Who’s Right for You.”

On average, clients usually invest up to 20 hours working with a career coach. This time can be transformational, equipping you with the tools, strategies, and confidence needed to secure your ideal job.

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While some individuals choose to engage a coach until they secure a job, others might opt for “session packages” provided by certain coaches. These packages typically come at a fixed rate and include specific services. For example, a professional might offer resume enhancement tips, a mock interview, and a personalized one-on-one coaching session for a total cost of $300.

Pros and Cons of Using Career Coaches:

The Cons of Hiring a Career Coach:

Scams. The industry is riddled with professionals who are looking to guarantee you a job and have no experience to back up their claims.
Remorse. A lot of people who take advantage of these services regret buying after they are done.
Cost. Being unemployed or underemployed can put a burden on anyone’s budget. Even if you’re working with a successful coach, it can eat up more than a few thousand dollars of your savings.

The Pros of Hiring a Career Coach

Motivation. A lot of career coaches have the right tools to help motivate you and find the perfect job.
Improvements. A qualified career coach will be able to pinpoint your weaknesses so that you can improve them. With this improvement, it can help you land a great gig.
Results. Even though it’s a mixed bag, people do see results when working with the right coach.

In the end, you’re going to want to make sure you’re choosing the right coach. To make sure you pick out the right professional, here are some questions to ask ahead of time —