Career Confidential: Is A Career Coach For You?

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There are many talented moms out there actively seeking to re-enter the paid workforce or gearing up to do so in the future.  As experts in flexible staffing, Mom Corps team members are often asked about crucial skills for today’s workplace. In our monthly blog series, Career Confidential, we share smart strategies for career re-launchers. This month's contribution is from Sherri-Aynn Collins, Mom Corps Corporate Marketing Team.

Can A Career Coach Help You Shine?
As the moderator of Mom Corps’ 30 Minute Mentor program, I speak with a variety of career and personal development experts, many of who can be categorized as “career coaches”.  Career Coaches have become very popular for those seeking a career change, goal development or leadership training. Until recently, I have never considered hiring a career coach for myself.    I regard myself as “career-savvy” and I am currently in a great job.   But while working on goals for the year ahead, I found myself a bit stuck in terms of areas for improvement and development.  Was now the time to look for outside advice?

While I found myself craving objective guidance, I struggled with the idea of paying someone to help me find career clarity.  Fortunately, I took a step back and realized how seeking the advice of “experts” has helped me achieve personal goals in the past.  My husband and I pay a financial adviser to help us understand how to best manage our money.  And, I have no qualms about using a fitness coach to help me keep the bulges at bay.  So why not invest in one of the most important parts of my life--my career?  

Wendy Enelow, a career coach specializing in executive career coaching, divides career coaches into two distinct categories:  Career Management Coaches and Career Marketing Coaches.  The former is a long-term approach, where you and your coach will focus on broad issues related to your entire career - past, the present and the future. A Career Manager, much like a Financial Adviser, is more likely to be a long-term partner with you as you navigate your professional goals and objectives. You will likely meet with this type of coach several times in the beginning and then schedule “check-ups” as needed.

The latter, or Career Marketing Coach offers a shorter-term solution around an immediate job search. This type of coaching helps define your objectives (e.g., type of position, type of industry, location and commute preferences, salary requirements, quality of life issues) and then developing a step-by-step job search action plan.  Compare this to hiring a personal trainer for a specific weight loss or fitness goal.  You will meet on a regularly scheduled basis until your objective is reached.  For example, Comeback Moms offers a variety of short programs like Interview Preparation and Skills.

What is the fee structure?

As with any consultative service, fees for career coaching can vary widely, but the average seems to fall between 100-175 per hour for individual coaching sessions.  Many coaches offer a multi-session package that includes a full skills assessment and a development plan. 

Some coaches offer group sessions, which allow a group of clients to meet together, often virtually, and work on career issues together.  iRelaunch has a program called coaching circles, that does just this.  Costs are reduced for individuals and often you can get the same result.  Similarly, many coaches offer free or low cost webinars.

My Experience with a Career Coach

After careful thought, I was ready to begin working with a career coach!  I contacted one of Mom Corps’ 30 Minute Mentor presenters, Anne Sugar, for an initial consultation and profile assessment.  Anne is certified by iPEC, and focuses on helping her clients identify their core energies.  In my case, Anne is acting more as a Career Management Coach, since I am not currently in the job market and seeking to identify my core strengths and areas for development.  After a brief phone consultation, Anne had me take an online assessment called Realise 2.0.  It took me about 30 minutes and I was immediately given a 7 page report outlining Strengths, Learned Behaviors and Weaknesses.  We then scheduled an hour phone session where we talked about what each of these meant in my past and current jobs.  Some of our time was spent brainstorming on ideal situations where I could expand my strengths.  For example, my profile showed that I have a knack for explaining processes and this activity energizes  me.  On the flip side, I am also good at building rapport, but this activity depletes my energy.   I found the assessment easy to understand and dead on in terms of my unique brand.  Now Anne and I are working on the goal-setting stage of our process.  I must say that while this is tough, it is great to have someone objective asking probing questions and encouraging me to stay the course!

Is a Career Coach for everyone?

My experience with my career coach has been nothing but positive. However, it is important for anyone seeking career advice to do their due diligence before engaging an advisor.  Have friends and colleagues recommend coaches with whom they have worked.  Interview coaches before paying them any upfront money to make sure you are comfortable with their style and approach.  Create measurable goals and performance objectives before you hire a career coach. And last but not least, be prepared to work hard!  A coach cannot do the work for you, he or she are just there to guide you to success.

If you hired a Career Coach, what would you want to work on? Let us know by commenting!