The better question might be, why haven't you taken
advantage of the services of a career coach?
A good analogy is to compare a career coach to an athletic coach or
personal trainer. Even the best athletes need a coach to guide them to the
next level; they need someone who will listen to them, assess their situation,
and push their performance to the peak of their potential. Coaching is about
unlocking a person's potential to maximize his or her performance; coaching
is about helping people learn to succeed and excel on their own. Athletes,
musicians, actors -- and yes, job-seekers -- would not be as successful
without the services of a coach.
So, what is a career coach -- and what can a coach do for you?
Imagine having someone listen to your dreams, ambitions, frustrations --
and then having that person offer advice and develop action steps to empower
you to be more successful. Who is that person? A career coach.
A career coach is a trained professional who provides expert advice, guidance,
and support to those who are seeking career success. A career coach is an
objective observer and listener who can often see situations more clearly than
the client. A career coach concentrates on where clients are now and helps
them develop goals, plans, and action steps toward some future employment
or career goal.
A career coach is dedicated to giving you the tools you need for career success.
A career coach will challenge you to do your best, will work with you through the
tough times, will empower you to reach your goals, and will celebrate with you as
you achieve success. A career coach works for you, helping you to achieve all
your goals and aspirations.
What results can you expect from good career coaching?
After receiving coaching, you should have one or more of these outcomes:
- Enhanced self-awareness and direction
- Clarity of career and job-search goals
- Increased career management skills
- Overall improvement of your quality of life
How do you know if you're ready for coaching?
There are numerous signs that you're ready for coaching, such as feeling
prepared to work with a career professional, being confident that you
have the time to commit to working with a coach, and deciding you are in need
of the services of a career coach.
If you're not sure, take my quiz! Go to:
Are You Ready for Career Coaching?
A Coachability Quotient Quiz.
How does one find a career coach?
Numerous directories of professional career coaches are available, and the best
coaches are certified by at least one professional organization. Some coaches
have advanced degrees in addition to their certifications.
But the bottom-line is that you need to feel comfortable with the person who will
have a potentially major impact on your career - and your life. For the relationship
to be truly successful, both you and the coach need to feel a connection, a bond.
What model guides Dr. Hansen's career coaching?
Dr. Hansen's professional philosophy is: "To make a difference in people's lives through
expert advice, personal empowerment, and compassion."
Dr. Hansen's overarching model is his CAREER Model for Career Development Success.
Read more about the CAREER Model.
Go back to the Benefits of Coaching.
Read more About Career Doctor Randall Hansen.
Dr. Randall Hansen is THE Career Doctor. He is also is founder of
Quintessential Careers,
one of the oldest and most comprehensive career development sites on the Web, as well CEO of
EmpoweringSites.com.
He is also founder of MyCollegeSuccessStory.com and
EnhanceMyVocabulary.com. He is publisher of
Quintessential Careers Press,
including the Quintessential Careers electronic newsletter,
QuintZine. Dr. Hansen is also a
published author, with several books, chapters in books, and hundreds of articles. He's often
quoted in the media and conducts empowering workshops around the country. Finally, Dr. Hansen is
also an educator, having taught at the college level for more than 15 years.
Learn more.
