In today’s episode, discover if Career Coaching the Right Choice For You.
What are the pros and cons of working with a career coach,
And
How can a career coach help anyway?
Hello and a very warm welcome to Episode No 68 of ‘Your Bravo Career’
My name is Mark Crossfield, I’m a Professional Career Coach / helping you to love your job and build a great career.
This podcast is about why your career matters
How you can enjoy what you are doing day each day at work
and how to build a great career along the way.
Introduction
Welcome everybody to Episode no 68
Today, I want to talk about career coaching and whether it might be your right choice.
It’s a question a lot of people ask me about
And since most people have never worked with a coach before, let alone a career coach,
It’s a relevant question.
…. is working with a career coach, either one on one or in a group, likely to be beneficial
To help you
Gain clarity on your career aspirations, identify your strengths and weaknesses, help you to come up with new career options or create a plan to achieve your career goals.
In other words, will working with a coach help you in your career and get you somewhere you might have struggled to get to on your own.
After all …
As I have said many times on the podcast, finding the right job or career for you is crucial to living a fulfilling and happy professional life.
Unfortunately, many people feel stuck in their careers or need support to make their job or career the way they would like it to be.
Making changes on your own can be challenging,
This might be you.
And, I can tell you, this was once me …
However, it's important to determine whether career coaching is right for you.
Let's explore some questions you can ask yourself to evaluate your readiness for career coaching:
Here we go, there are 6 questions.
- Do you feel stuck or uncertain about your career path?
- Are you unsure about what your next steps should be?
- Do you have specific and challenging career goals that you want to achieve?
- Do you want to find a role that better aligns with your interests and enjoy work more?
- Are you aiming to make a significant leap in your career? And finally,
- Are you willing to take action and make positive changes in your career?
If you answered yes to any of these questions and you’re prepared to take the necessary steps for positive change, career coaching may be an excellent fit for you.
On the other hand, career coaching is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
While it can be beneficial for many people, there are situations where it may not be the right choice.
For instance, if you're not ready to change your career or resistant to feedback, career coaching may not be effective.
It's important to be honest with yourself about your readiness and willingness to work with a coach.
Also, there’s a cost to working with a career coach. And whilst it’s easy for me to say how important it is to get clear on your career, find work that you will love, how priceless working with a coach can be etc …
Not everybody is in a position where they can pay for coaching right now.
So that’s definitely a consideration.
And by the way all my prices, for the coaching programmes I provide, are
on my website for full transparency.
So, what can you expect When Working with a Career Coach?
You can expect a collaborative and supportive relationship with a trained and experienced professional.
Your coach will use tailored coaching techniques to help you identify and achieve your career goals.
You can expect to gain clarity on your career goals, develop a plan to achieve them, and receive support, guidance, and accountability throughout the process.
Furthermore, you'll also have a safe space to explore personal and professional challenges and receive feedback to help you improve your job performance – if that’s what you are looking for.
My coaching sessions last between 60 and 90 minutes, are usually carried out by zoom or Teams, and are arranged at the convenience of the client.
Many career coaches, myself included, use exercises in between the sessions to help the client make rapid progress. These could be exercises to determine skills, values or interests, for example.
In the actual coaching session, we talk about the results of these exercises and our conversation tends to be much richer and more productive as a result of this in-between session work.
Career coaching is a conversation with an agreed destination and a skilled coach will support you in achieving your goals for the coaching programme.
Now, let’s look at how you can choose a career coach.
You might be wondering how you find a career coach.
When looking for a career coach, it's important to find someone who is experienced, qualified and has a coaching approach that resonates with you.
Look for someone who has a good track record of success, strong communication skills, and a willingness to be flexible and adapt to your needs.
Look at their website and check out their recommendations on LinkedIn.
If you're interested in working with a career coach, there are several steps you can take to get started.
First, do your research and find a career coach who aligns with your goals and values.
Then, schedule a free no obligation chat with the coach. All career coaches offer this.
If it feels like a good fit, you can sign up to work with the coach, book the first session and begin the coaching process.
You can get started working towards your career goals.
The most important to think about before you start with a career coach is what your goals are. Make sure you share these with your coach at the outset.
On the other hand, if you find that career coaching is not a good fit for you, there are several alternatives you can consider.
Self-help books and online resources can provide valuable insights and guidance on career exploration and development.
Additionally, seeking out a mentor who can provide support and guidance can be a valuable source of learning and growth.
Remember, the journey to finding the right job or career may involve trial and error. It's important to stay open-minded and be proactive in exploring different avenues.
Also, whether you choose career coaching or any other alternative, the key is to take action and make informed decisions that align with your career goals.
So, that covers what I wanted to say on today's episode - on the subject of career coaching and whether it might be the right choice for you.
In summary, career coaching can be a transformative experience for individuals who feel stuck or uncertain about their career paths.
It provides the opportunity to gain clarity, set goals, and receive support and accountability throughout the process.
However, it's important to evaluate your readiness for coaching and consider factors such as cost.
Choosing the right career coach involves finding someone experienced, qualified, and compatible with your needs.
If coaching isn't the right fit for you, there are alternative resources available, such as self-help books, mentorship programmes, online courses, and career development workshops.
Finding a mentor, either through your own organisation or by seeking out professionals in your desired field, can provide guidance, advice, and connections to help you navigate your career path.
Online courses and career development workshops, such as those offered by platforms like LinkedIn Learning or Udemy, can provide targeted knowledge and skills to enhance your professional growth.
There also lots of free resources on my own website, including a ‘Should I Go or Should I Stay Guide’, A list of free coaching resources, A guide to help you get a payrise, as well as that buyer’s guide to coaching I described earlier.
Regardless of the path you choose, taking action and making informed decisions are essential steps towards a fulfilling career.
So, I hope you found this discussion helpful in understanding the potential benefits and considerations of career coaching.
As always, remember to invest in your professional growth and take steps towards a fulfilling career.
Conclusion:
So, I hope all that is helpful.
Show Ending
Have a wonderful week and I will speak to you again in a couple of weeks time.
Bye for now.