Are you looking to hire a career coach? Here’s 4 things you need to know.

Life is hectic, priorities change and at some point, many of us find ourselves facing a junction in our careers. 

We’ve spent years climbing the greasy pole, driven by any number of things from title, remuneration, the desire for success, travel etc etc.  And then it’s like someone ever so gently pumps the brakes and we find ourselves feeling somewhat underwhelmed with where we are and wondering which way to turn next.

Often things that appealed in our 20’s are no longer what drive us in our 40’s or 50’s.

“I believe that the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity, is daring to dare” – Maya Angelou

Enter the role of the career coach.

Someone who can help you navigate the complexity of choices for your next career move.

And there are LOADS of coaches of varying shapes and sizes, specialities and modalities.  It's essential for you as a professional woman to choose the right coach who understands your needs, values, and aspirations.

As a former Head of HR turned career coach, I've had the privilege of supporting hundreds of women through their career transitions. In this blog post, I'll share insights on what every professional woman needs to know when choosing a career coach.

1: Understanding Your Needs

What is it that you need? And what exactly are your goals from coaching?  Sometimes it can be hard to articulate your goals, but it’s important to try, even if you don’t feel very eloquent about it!  It could be a feeling, it could be a very high level goal, or you may well have a tangible, well-formed goal in mind.  Taking time to understand what it is that you ultimately want from coaching is important. 

One way of doing this is to think about your current challenges, if things could be different what would that look / feel / sound like?  Can you identify any particular areas for growth or development? 

Identifying and knowing what you don’t want can be a good place to start if you struggle with this.

Whether it's gaining clarity on your career direction, gaining a promotion, overcoming self-doubt, changing career totally, or achieving work-life balance, having a clear understanding of your needs will help you find a coach who can address them effectively.

And, if you situation is so complex that you can’t untangle it to arrive at a specific objective, then choose a coach to help you unpack these things to form your ideal plan.

2: Finding the Right Fit

I cannot stress how important this is – in fact I debated whether to make it Number 1!

One of the most important considerations when choosing a career coach is finding the right fit. This goes beyond just expertise and qualifications—it's about finding someone who you gel with on a personal level.

Let’s be honest here – there will likely be some tears, there will be some laughter and there will be a whole heap of honesty needed so you need to feel safe, and comfortable with the person on the other side of the zoom call.

This I one reason why my process always starts with a free initial conversation.

As a coach, I prioritise empathy, authenticity, and relatability, creating a safe and supportive space for my clients to explore their career challenges and aspirations. When evaluating potential coaches, choose someone you instinctively trust.

3: Assessing Credentials and Experience

When it comes to choosing a career coach, credentials and experience do matter.

Coaching is not a regulated industry so anyone can call themselves a coach.

There are, however, regulatory bodies that a coach can belong to; the bar to getting into some of these is higher than others.

Taking a bit of a tangent but stay with me…

Imagine if you required knee surgery – a general surgeon could probably operate on a knee, but a specialist knee surgeon is likely to be a preferred option.  You would therefore look for someone who specialises in what you need, has credentials to support their experience and testimonials to back them up. 

When I wanted a coach to help me build my business, I chose a coach who worked with coaches, and who had been a coach themselves, and built their own business.  Makes sense right?

As a professional woman, think about looking for a coach with a solid background in coaching, as well as practical experience.

As a former HR professional with years of experience navigating career transitions for others, as well as my own career transition (more about that in another blog!), I bring first hand insights and expertise to my coaching practice. I am accredited with, and a member of, the International Coaching Federation.

Finally on this point, when assessing coaches look for testimonials or success stories from previous clients to gauge their track record of success and style of coaching.

4: Understanding the Coaching Process

Each career coach has their own unique approach and methodology. It's essential to understand the coaching process and believe it aligns with your needs and goals.

For example, are you looking for a coach who is part of a larger organisation and follows a prescribed process or are you looking for a more personalised approach?

Take my signature programme which follows a 6-step methodology designed to take you from feeling unclear, unsure, and unconfident about your next move to having a clear plan and path forward, tailor made for you. Whilst there are a fixed number of steps, the order of these and the subjects covered is flexible to a degree depending on the needs and desires of my clients. 

My goal is to empower you to navigate your career transitions with confidence and clarity.

To conclude…

Working with the right career coach is a significant decision that can have a profound impact on your career journey.

By understanding your needs, finding the right fit, assessing credentials and experience, and understanding the coaching process, you can make an informed decision that sets you up for success.

As a coach, I'm committed to supporting professional women through their career transitions and empowering them to achieve their fullest potential. If you're ready to take the next step in your career journey, I invite you to reach out for a complimentary call to learn more about how I can support you.