Working with a career coach was one of the best things I've ever done for my professional life. I was stuck, confused, and unsure of what to do next, and conversations with friends and family had been fruitless. After a self-assessment of my career path and goals, as well as a one-hour session with my coach, I walked away with more clarity and confidence than I had in years, not to mention a three-month action plan. It was so beneficial that I was surprised I hadn't done it sooner.
Of course, there were a few reasons why I hadn't. The first was the money. Yes, the initial investment was difficult to swallow, but the end result was well worth it. (Plus, as one friend put it, if paying for a coach resulted in a higher-paying job or a raise at my current job, which it did, it was money well spent.)
The bigger issue, however, was that I had no idea who I would be working with. A Google search (and my professional job search coach list) yielded hundreds of results, but which of these people would I feel comfortable disclosing all of my professional secrets to?
We recently launched a platform called Coach Connect at The Muse, which allows you to book one-on-one sessions with career coaches—and I'm sure anyone thinking about doing so feels the same way I did. While you don't have to worry about selecting someone of high quality (we've done that vetting for you), I understand how difficult it can be to determine which of those people is the best fit for your career.
Begin by asking yourself the following three questions to help guide you in the right direction:
What type of person do you prefer to collaborate with?
Consider previous teachers, bosses, mentors, therapists, and other "coach"-like figures you've worked with. Who helped you get to the next level by encouraging, inspiring, and motivating you? What characteristics did they all share?
Make a short list, then look for coaches who exhibit those characteristics. How? Reviews from previous customers are a great place to start (and yes, I know this is Before-You-Buy-Anything 101). Some coaches, for example, may be described as "kind," "encouraging," and "positive," while others may be described as tough-love motivators who will get your buttocks moving. Both sets of qualities are admirable—but which do you identify with the most?
Reading the work of a few different coaches was also beneficial to me. Most have a blog, a newsletter, or other content that you can use to get a sense of their style, approach, background, success stories, and more. Are your eyes glazing over as you browse? Or are you nodding and saying, "Yes! This person is literally inside my head!" I knew I'd found someone I really connected with when I realized I'd spent nearly an hour lost in the archives of one coach's old blog posts.
Who Can Assist You in Your Particular Situation?
The good news is that most career coaches have worked with people from a wide range of industries and understand how to advise people with highly specialized skill sets. So, while transitioning from real estate to software sales or from marketing to a new industry may appear to be a daunting task, keep in mind that most coaches who have been around for a while have seen a lot and have the knowledge and experience to guide you, too.
However, it may make sense to work with someone who specializes in your industry (engineering, sales, marketing, startups) or situation (you're a new grad, making a drastic career change, or returning to the workforce after a hiatus). My coach only worked with women and had extensive media experience. So, look at a few coaches' websites or online profiles, as well as their reviewers. Great if the coach has helped others like you! A large number of positive reviews from people in various fields and sectors is also a good sign.
