Posts Tagged ‘Coaching’
Coaching Series: Create the Career You Want: A Non-Hyped App
Google Tech Talks January, 31 2008 ABSTRACT Professional satisfaction is a question of creating what you want, not just waiting for it to appear. This tech talk, by one of the country’s leading career coaches, shows how the process works. From my recent book: “The process of creating a life that works for you does not unfold logically. It proceeds in fits and starts, involves unlearning as much as learning, and requires you to push forward amidst ambiguity. You have to act before you’re ready to act, consider that your true interests and preferences might surprise you, and defer evaluation until you have collected a lot of evidence. You have to get out into the world, seek out new experiences and connect with new people. I try to stick to these principles not because theyre always easy, but because Ive learned they work.” This tech talk will be an (entertaining and dynamic) introduction to the basic career- and life-planning principles that underlie this perspective. Speaker: Michael Melcher Michael Melcher is one of the country’s leading career coaches, and is a partner at Next Step Partners, a leadership development and executive coaching firm. With a blend of humor, sensitivity and professional acumen, he has helped hundreds of individuals develop their careers into personal platforms that are professionally fulfilling and personally meaningful. He is a graduate of Harvard College, Stanford Law School, and the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He worked for …
What are Typical Career Coaching Costs?
What is a Career Coach?
A career coach helps a job seeker land his next employment opportunity in the most efficient and expedient means possible.
The services of a career coach are targeted for individuals who are unemployed or in a dead-end job or are attempting to move up the ladder or re-enter the work force.
History of Career Coaching
Career coaching, as we know it today, developed its roots from corporate coaching of the 1980s.
At that time, large corporations saw their top performers experience professional growth and increased performance through the assignment of a life coach. This process benefited key executives across all levels of the organization.
Since then, career coaching has evolved into a service that is available to job seekers everywhere.
Working With a Career Coach
Any candidate who is contemplating a business relationship with a career coach should first be aware of how the process works. It is important to connect with a coach who will best meet the job seeker’s needs.
Initially, expect to have either a face-to-face or telephone consultation, to determine both short and long term employment goals. This is a critical appointment that provides the career coach with the background information necessary to assist their client.
The career coach can then provide information about the candidates chosen career path, salary expectations, current trends in the industry, and advice on prospective target employers who hire for the candidates chosen position.
Services Provided
A career coachs role is to train the job seeker to out-perform their competition in the job market.
Career coaches routinely provide services such as career exploration, interview success coaching, setting up a strategic career plan, and salary negotiations assistance, as well as advice in the initial career planning process.
When a job seeker requires assistance in revising their resume, or additional career services, the Career Coach has connections in the industry they readily recommend.
Career Coaching Costs and Benefits
The cost to work with a career coach varies considerably, generally between $75.00 and $250.00 per hour.
While the cost of hiring a career coach may seem like an unnecessary expense when unemployed or re-entering the workforce, the benefits of the relationship can be the difference between landing a position, or remaining on the unemployment line.
The coach spends time preparing the candidate for interviews and meetings with prospective employers, and literally guides the job seeker toward success in the hiring process. Individuals who work with a career coach are far more likely to get in the door of their target employer, and out-perform their peers in the job market.
What to Look For
Before shopping for a career coach, it is critical to know how to identify a professional who delivers results.
Look at the coachs work experience, ask about their professional affiliations, determine their reputation in the industry, and ask for references before moving forward with any one coach.
Always know the career coachs fees in advance, and ask about any guarantees offered.
Above all, speak with the coach before making a final decision, to see if this is a person you will enjoy working with.
This guest post by Christina Archer, who is a Career Agent, author, expert resume writer and presenter, is courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.
Career Coaching: Seven Mistakes to Avoid When Making a Big Career Change
Are you considering a big change in your career? Do you feel let down, bored, burned out? Maybe you think there is something bigger and more meaningful that you are meant to do. Perhaps your company downsized you into this predicament. Regardless of the reason, there are some common mistakes to avoid while you evaluate and select new career options. Avoid these pitfalls and you can stay motivated, keep your balance and move forward successfully.
Mistake #1 Making Decisions in Haste
Tempted to just quit and wing it? Everyone is now and then, but unless you just cant stand your current situation another day, resist! Instead, write down everything you hate about your current situation, then one by one, look at the most intolerable issues and see how you can turn each around to make it more tolerable for the present moment.
It is easy to get so excited about the future that you decide to forge ahead without a plan and hope everything naturally falls your way after that. It will require more energy to sustain your new career and make it work well for you than it will to identify and start it. It is better to come from a place of higher energy and stability than to start out already burned out or worried about how you will pay the bills. Consider seeking the help of a qualified career coach, life coach or career counselor to help you identify your next career path. An objective, trained third party can help you strategize and phase it in for the best results and the least amount of heartache.
Mistake #2 Ignoring the Finances
I cant stand this any longer! I would rather eat dog food than put up with this another day! Whether you are pursuing a new career voluntarily or involuntarily, you must pay the bills. Do pursue your dream. Do look for the career that brings out the best in you. If you have plenty of savings, good for you! Resist the temptation to go through it and be left without. If you have a dream, by all means hang on to it! But if it wont realistically get off the ground for three years, find another way to earn a living in the meantime. The need for income is a reality you cannot ignore.
Mistake #3 Filling Your Head with Negative Stuff
What do you read? What do you view on television or the Internet? With whom do you spend free time? When youre looking at making big life and career changes, you need lots of positive energy around you. If you spend time with negative people or fill your mind with anything that isnt useful, guess what? It fills you with negative energy. Instead, surround yourself with people and things that give you positive energy and encouragement. Read books that motivate and encourage you. Go places that inspire you. Do everything you can to be what you want to be like after you land the next great career opportunity, and you will be more likely to attract it into your life!
Mistake #4 Getting Bogged Down by Decisions
If youre an intelligent person who has enjoyed any measure of success, chances are there are a lot of different choices you could make in your next big life or career change. Clients often tell me they are overwhelmed by all of the thoughts and ideas that keep running through their minds. And as the overwhelm sets in, it is very easy to just shut down. As we work together, I remind clients when making tough decisions to ask themselves, Is this going to move me forward? If the answer is yes, proceed. If the answer is no, either revise the decision or drop it entirely.
Mistake #5 – Not Having a Plan
There are two reasons this is important. First, life is unpredictable and it is dangerous to relinquish security before the next career arrangement is lined up. Second, changing careers is a lot like dating. You are always more desirable when you are unavailable. You are more attractive to a prospective employer if you are already working. And if you have already lost your job either voluntarily or involuntarily, it is even more important to have a plan so that you are then more likely to achieve it. If you see success, you will be successful. (Conversely, if you don’t have a plan, how will you know when you’ve succeeded?)
Mistake #6 – Ending your Preparation Too Soon
All I can say here is, prepare, prepare, prepare. If youre looking at several possibilities, dont immediately drop one when another looks good. Think about all of the big tests you have taken in life (college entrance exams, finals, certification exams) and how you prepared for those. Did you study way in advance and take a big, long break before taking the test? Or were you still reading the material as you walked in the door on test day, wondering if you could still be better prepared? When youre embarking on a new career or life change, give it all of your available energy, skills and attention. If you have a goal in mind, resist relaxing when you think you almost have it. Prepare and stay sharp right up until the day you start. This will help keep you from losing confidence at the last minute.
Mistake #7 Getting Discouraged Too Easily
Does this happen to you when you face hurdles in the midst of your goal? Instead of giving in to the pain, pay attention to what specifically is making you uncomfortable and make adjustments to get you through. For example, if you’re in career transition and you find that it is painful to go through the tedium of making phone calls, sending resumes, going on interviews where the competition is tough, etc., find the formula that gives you a break without stopping the process. Try devoting an hour or two each morning to these tasks and letting it go for the rest of the day, or only making a certain number of phone calls or interview appointments per week so that when you’re finished, you can feel good about giving yourself some time off. Don’t stop. Adjust.
Remember, a career change is a life change. You didnt arrive at your current level of education and experience overnight, and dont be disappointed if you dont immediately uncover the thing you want to do next. Allow yourself time and space to explore and make an educated decision. Get the help you need along the way (i.e., career coach, career counselor) to help you do it strategically, not emotionally. If you avoid these mistakes you are much more likely to end up in a new career that complements and fulfills your life.