What Is a Career Coach, and Do I Need One?

A career coach has expertise in employment-related services like career counseling, career development, resume creation, and interview preparation. You may benefit from career coach services if you need a new job, want to change careers, or start a business. Learning more about career coaches can help you decide if you need one and how to find one.

Who does a career coach work with?

A variety of people use a career coach, and not all of them need a new job. A career coach might work with:

• A learner who wants to plan coursework around a specific career

• A person looking for their first full-time job just out of college

• Someone looking for a career change

• A professional who wants to get more from their career

• Someone who wants to start a business

Read more: Career Coaching: How to Find a Coach That Fits Your Needs

How can a career coach help you?

Finding a job, crafting a resume, and overcoming obstacles are just some ways a career coach can help you. Consider hiring one if:

You're unhappy in your job.

If you're unhappy at work, you could be working in the wrong position. A career coach can help you find the right job using assessment tests. These might include:

• Interests assessments

• Personality tests

• Behavior inventories

• Personal strengths inventories

• Skills assessments

It's also possible you just need to resolve some problems at work. A career coach can give you tips for dealing with difficult coworkers, strategies for building confidence, or ideas for getting more training. 

You need an effective job search strategy.

With the help of a career coach, you can complete your job search in less time than it would take to do it yourself. Career coaches have learned from other clients’ mistakes, which works to your advantage. Also, with a vast network of connections, career coaches can point you in directions you may not have known about.

You need resume support.

A career coach can help you craft a resume that stands out. Ways a career coach can help improve your resume include:

• Tailoring it to each job application

• Using well-written descriptions and industry-appropriate keywords

• Highlighting your results and achievements rather than just listing your skills

• Making it visually appealing with a simple layout and attractive formatting

• Ensuring it is free of spelling or grammatical errors

Read more: 16 Resume Tips for Your Job Search

You want to boost your interview skills.

Working with a career coach allows you to practice your interviewing skills and strengthen your answers. A career coach can also help you understand the strengths an employer might be looking for and how you can improve when a job interview doesn't go your way.  

Read more: 11 Interviewing Skills to Benefit Your Career

Additional benefits of hiring a career coach

Whether you're just starting out in the job market or moving from a long-held position, hiring a career coach offers additional benefits. These might include:

• Improved goal setting

• More confidence

• A chance to build your professional network

• A platform for discussion before making decisions

• A stronger personal brand

What should I look for in a career coach?

When looking for a career coach, find someone who feels confident they can help you with your situation. Come to your initial meeting with a clear explanation of your circumstances and bring along any questions you might have.

Choose a career coach who fits well with your personality. To find the right match, think about what's important to you, like:

• Knowledge

• Experience

• Good communication skills

• Good listening skills

• Positive attitude

• Directness

• Accountability

• Warmth

• Sense of humor

Keep your budget in mind to ensure you can afford to work with a career coach. To determine what you'll get for your fee, you can ask for one session as a test run. 

How do I find a career coach?

Knowing how to find a career coach can help your job search go more quickly. Try these tips:

• Network: Ask friends and family for job coach referrals, or reach out on a professional social media site or a local neighborhood app. 

• Check on campus: If you currently attend a local college or university or belong to its roster of alums, check the career services agency on campus for career coach referrals. 

• Check with the National Career Development Association (NCDA): The NCDA is a nationwide association that provides a variety of helpful career resources. 

How much does career coaching cost?

Depending on various factors, career coaching may cost between $75 and $500 per hour [1]. For instance, a career coach who just graduated with a bachelor's degree and little experience might charge lower fees. In contrast, the prices for a well-respected career coach who has written books on the topic would likely fall on the higher end.

When choosing a career coach, you may want to consider:

• Years of experience

• Details about their training 

• Certifications attained

• References and referrals (including online reviews)

Alternatives to career coaching

Depending on your budget and needs, you may want to consider alternatives to career coaching. Some of the following require no monetary investment.

1. Career counseling

Often employed in schools and employment agencies, career counselors offer services similar to career coaches, but career coaching takes a more personal approach. If you need general help and information, check with the college you attend or local government agencies like your state's Department of Labor for free career counseling services.

2. Virtual career coaching groups

If you are comfortable learning in a virtual group setting, you can find group career coaching sessions at little or no cost by conducting an online search. Virtual group coaching allows you to listen quietly, ask questions, and get support from other participants. 

3. Self-study

If you enjoy learning independently, you may want to consider self-study. Try using a common coaching acronym: GROW. 

• Goal: Think about your career goal and why you want to achieve it.

• Reality: Consider whether you can realistically attain your goal. 

• Options: Think about the various ways to put your plan into action.

• Will: Consider whether you have the dedication needed to reach your goal. 

Next steps

Whether you're just starting to look for a career or want a different one, you may benefit from the help of a career coach. When you learn more about a career coach's services, you may decide you can do the work yourself.  

Before beginning your search for a career coach, consider taking the Career Discovery Specialization on Coursera offered by the University System of Georgia. This three-course series covers career exploration, planning, and development and even provides tips for creating an outstanding resume and cover letter. At just three hours per week, you could finish the Specialization in five months and earn a shareable certificate of completion.