Visiting A Career Coach

I recently found myself at a crossroads in my career. I needed answers to some questions that had been stumping me for quite some time. When it became clear that I was not going to be able to resolve them without some guidance, I enlisted the services of a career coach. Admittedly skeptical, I made the appointment to meet with a complete stranger to talk about what direction my life should take. We spoke for an hour about my background, my interests and my convertible skills. It turned out to be the confidence builder that I needed, and it opened my mind to the many career planning resources that could set me on a path toward professional satisfaction. Whether you are looking for a new job, or your first job, here are some reasons why seeking out career coaching tools might be right for you:

1. You are unsure of your career options

Your mom is a Lawyer and your dad is an Accountant. So you have heard them talk enough about their days to know exactly what their jobs entail. Maybe that is partly why you never envisioned yourself following dear old mom and dad down their chosen career paths. So where does that leave you? The truth is that new careers are popping up each year as industry landscapes change and the demand for different goods and services evolve. Seeking out career coaching tools offered by a coach allows you to stay abreast of the most up to date and in demand careers. The various career planning resources available can help you discover careers that you did not even know existed, as well as dig deeper into careers you may have heard of ant want to learn more about.

2. You do not know how to sell yourself

For the most part, it is a very good thing that you do not want to brag about your accomplishments and tell anyone who will listen how great you are. These are not admirable qualities. However, all is fair in love and job hunting. You may be required to branch outside of your typically humble self in order to articulate to an employer that you are the right person for the job, or perhaps to articulate to your current employer that your work is worthy of a raise. Career coaching tools can help you identify your desirable traits, skills and experiences as well as help you to feel comfortable articulating them. Career coaches are well versed in what employers are looking for and are thus the perfect guides to help turn your potentially overlooked selling points into resume or on-the-job highlights.

3. You need a strategy

Everyone needs a plan, but more than that you need to be able to execute on that plan. Often times, daily tasks and distractions prevent us from taking the necessary steps required to make a positive change in our lives. And sometimes we just do not know how to put an action plan in place. Career coaches utilize the many career planning resources at their disposal to develop a personalized strategy that works for you. Choosing a career path and getting hired is a process, not a snap of the fingers. Within that process there are various steps that need to be taken in order to reach your goals. Perhaps you need to take specific classes, or obtain particular certifications. Whatever the steps, career coaches can develop a roadmap, hold you accountable and keep you focused and on track.