Employment Spot

Career Coaching

Are you stuck in a rut at your current job?  Are you searching for a new career but don’t know where  to look?  Maybe career coaching is the answer.  Whether you look into hiring a career coach to help you reach your career goals, or you investigate how to start your own career as a life coach, career coaching is a growing phenomenon that may offer great prospects for your future.

Career coaching is similar to life coaching, which involves coaches helping clients determine and achieve personal goals.  Life coaches help their clients focus on the future rather than dwell on problems of the past.  CNN’s “Getting ‘unstuck’: Does your life need a coach?” is a great article that explains life coaching in more detail.  It is important to note that life coaches are not therapists and therefore they do not target psychological illnesses.  In addition, while not discrediting the value of life coaches, you should realize that unlike the jobs of other professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and psychologists, career coaching is not regulated by the government.  This means that there are no exams or college degrees required in order for a person to call himself or herself a “life coach.”

Life coaches offer help in all aspects of a client’s life, including one’s career.  There are also coaches who specialize in careers and career change coaching.  These career coaches help their clients identify the perfect career, develop career goals and formulate a plan to reach those goals, overcome obstacles in the workplace and improve job satisfaction.  Career coaching is a personalized, one-on-one service between the coach and the client that occurs either in person or over the phone.  Many clients are middle-aged professionals between the ages of 35 and 50, but career coaching is open to anyone, including college grads, entrepreneurs and high-powered executives.  Those re-entering the workforce or interested in changing careers may be especially interested in seeking help from a career coach.

Career Coach Salary Calculator

Enter a City:   Select a State: Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Current Career Coach Employment Opportunities

• Director of Career Services
  Location: US-IL-Melrose Park
  Company: Lincoln Technical Institute
  Last Updated: 10/02
  Details: ...environment to develop our Career Services and Placement...and coordinate our Career Services Department...network. Actively coach graduates and students on career search strategies...


• Marketing Executives Needed - Pro Bono Consulting
  Location: US-IL-Chicago
  Company: Taproot Foundation
  Last Updated: 09/25
  Details: ...vice president, or partner level roles in their professional careers. Each Taproot Foundation project lasts 5 - 6 months with volunteers...


• View more Career Coach Employment Opportunites

If you type “career coach” into any search engine, thousands of results will appear, so how do you go about finding the right career coach?  Many coaches work individually and run their own businesses, while others work at career coaching “firms,” such as Feroce.  It is smart to shop around for your career coach.  Most coaches provide the first session free of charge, so it may be beneficial to meet with two or three different coaches in order to see who is the best fit for your needs and personality.  Additionally, it is not always necessary to find a coach in your area, because some career coaching takes place over the telephone.  A professional background is also a very important factor in selecting a career coach.  Ask prospective coaches for references and take a look at their credentials.  While there is no set government standard, there are still different certifications and training available to career coaches.  It is also be beneficial to talk to friends and co-workers who may be able to recommend a career coach to you.  Doing your research before selecting a career coach will save money and hopefully get you on the path toward happiness and success.

On average, career coaching may cost anywhere from $50 to $500 per hourly session, although some coaches may charge a flat fee for larger monthly packages.  One reason career coaching is so expensive is because it provides personal care that is tailored to the needs of each individual.  But don’t worry if you can’t afford to pay this amount of money - you still have some other alternatives.  There are many Web sites which offer career advice and resources, such as CareerBuilder.com and AOL’s Business and Career Coaches.  You could also seek out a mentor who is successful in his or her own career.  Or, you could be your own career coach, as suggested in an article titled Four Tips for Being Your Own Career Coach.  Part of coaching yourself may be as simple as surrounding yourself with positive influences who encourage you, helping you to determine and reach your career goals.

While the large price tag on career coaches may discourage some potential clients, it may also be welcoming to those of you interested in pursuing a job in career coaching.  Many career coaches offer additional coaching for clients who are interested in joining their profession.  Training and certification is available through places such as the Career Coach Institute and Career Coach Academy.  However, keep in mind that you can still call yourself a career coach without undergoing any formal training.  Career coaching may be a great job for aspiring entrepreneurs who have a desire to share their success and help others.  You may also want to consider career counseling, which requires a college degree, or similar careers such as those outlined in the Handbook of Career Counseling.  Other types of coaching or even a career in social work may also be of interest.  Career coaching and career counseling are likely to be fulfilling careers in the sense that they help others reach their full potential and achieve great success in both their individual careers and personal lives.