Should you hire a career coach?

Paying for a pro may make sense - but exhaust free options first.

EMAIL  |   PRINT  |   SHARE  |   RSS
 
google my aol my msn my yahoo! netvibes
Paste this link into your favorite RSS desktop reader
See all CNNMoney.com RSS FEEDS (close)
By Arnesa A. Howell, Money Magazine

Five signs that a coach isn't playing to win
Watch out for these red flags that suggest a career coach may not be worth the money.
Asks for full payment upfront and tries to lock you into a long-term contract.
Makes promises of any kind related to getting you a job or a certain salary
Refuses to give you references or to connect you with past clients
Gives vague answers about how to reach your goals, or doesn't give you any homework
Provides you with only positive feedback and no constructive criticism

(Money Magazine) -- After being laid off this summer, Amy Bauer began to contemplate a career switch (from investor relations to corporate social responsibility). But it had been more than a decade since the 37-year-old from the Baltimore area had even crafted a résumé. For assistance, she turned to a career coach.

"She helped me determine which of my skills are transferable and tweak my résumé so it's applicable," says Bauer of coach Kimberly Bowen of Career Life Designs. Adds Bowen: "Amy and I have set really good goals together and every two weeks, we check in." Since they paired up in June, Bauer has landed several informational interviews, which she credits to the coaching.

"Any time there's an economic downturn, career coaching spikes," notes Christopher Metzler, associate dean for human resources studies at Georgetown University. With job searches now averaging 25 weeks, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, who doesn't want help marketing themselves?

Such assistance doesn't come cheap, and since anyone can call himself or herself a career coach, quality varies widely. Still, good coaching, in the right situations, can be well worth the price.

What you'll get

At its best, career coaching helps you clarify your job goals and develop strategies to reach them. That may include assessments (such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, used to determine which fields suit your personality) and discussions (starting with questions like, When have you felt especially satisfied?). It also involves practical steps like writing effective résumés and practicing interviewing skills.

You can go through a whole process with someone, or just get targeted advice on one particular area. With a good adviser, "you should leave each session saying, 'I've taken a step forward in my job search,' " says Robert Hellmann of the Five O'Clock Club, a national coaching firm.

When it makes sense

A good coach can be helpful if your job search is lagging or you're getting discouraged, Metzler says. Part of his or her job, after all, is to keep you on task. A coach may also make sense if you're transitioning to a new career, returning to the workforce, or trying to advance within a company, he says. In such cases, an outsider may help you focus your efforts and identify necessary skills.

But sessions average $161 an hour, according to the International Coach Federation trade group, and clients typically use three to six visits. So explore free options first. Most colleges offer their alumni gratis meetings, by phone or in-person, with the trained staffers in their career offices. Professional organizations also sometimes offer seminars to members.

How to find someone good

If you want to pursue individual coaching, some due diligence can help ensure that your money is well spent. Start by asking for referrals, both from people you know and a professional group in your industry.

Narrow your list to three, and interview them to find out about their experience, success rates, and typical clients. Be wary of coaching certifications, says Douglas T. Hall, professor of organizational behavior at Boston University's School of Management. (Some can be achieved in a single weekend.) Instead, look for a master's in counseling psychology, human resources, or organizational leadership. Speak with past clients about their experiences and, finally, request a free initial session.

As for Bauer, she's still looking for work, but she's happy to have paid for the coach. "It's great to have someone in my corner," she says.  To top of page

Send feedback to Money Magazine
Features
They're hiring!These Fortune 100 employers have at least 350 openings each. What are they looking for in a new hire? More
If the Fortune 500 were a country...It would be the world's second-biggest economy. See how big companies' sales stack up against GDP over the past decade. More
Sponsored By:
More Galleries
10 of the most luxurious airline amenity kits When it comes to in-flight pampering, the amenity kits offered by these 10 airlines are the ultimate in luxury More
7 startups that want to improve your mental health From a text therapy platform to apps that push you reminders to breathe, these self-care startups offer help on a daily basis or in times of need. More
5 radical technologies that will change how you get to work From Uber's flying cars to the Hyperloop, these are some of the neatest transportation concepts in the works today. More
Worry about the hackers you don't know 
Crime syndicates and government organizations pose a much greater cyber threat than renegade hacker groups like Anonymous. Play
GE CEO: Bringing jobs back to the U.S. 
Jeff Immelt says the U.S. is a cost competitive market for advanced manufacturing and that GE is bringing jobs back from Mexico. Play
Hamster wheel and wedgie-powered transit 
Red Bull Creation challenges hackers and engineers to invent new modes of transportation. Play

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.