| Are you thinking of getting help with your career | | | | communication that involves dialogue and questions. In |
| change or job search? Here are 3 tips based on | | | | contrast, consultants are more likely to give direct |
| mistakes I've made or watched others make, both as | | | | advice. However, anyone can call himself or herself a |
| a career coach/consultant and as a client of career | | | | coach or consultant. |
| coaches. | | | | If credentials are important to you, ask the prospective |
| Tip #1: Get clear on what you need and what you can | | | | coach, "How will your training help you do a better job |
| expect. | | | | as you work with me to find a new career?" |
| Job search takes time and energy. You can hire the | | | | My own irreverent view is that the coach's credentials |
| greatest coach in the world, but if you work 80 hours | | | | are less important than his or her knowledge of the |
| a week you just don't have time to do anything. You | | | | real world. Can she read between the lines of a want |
| need time to network, make phone calls, get | | | | ad? Can he help you interpret a bizarre interview |
| information together, rehearse for interviews and a | | | | response? |
| whole lot more. | | | | |
| Often a career coach can speed up your job search. | | | | Tip #3: Free coaching is worth what you pay for it. |
| However, if you are an executive, you need more | | | | Occasionally a new coach will offer free coaching to |
| than few weeks to reach success. Changing to a | | | | build a client base. I did this myself but found it was not |
| whole new career will most likely take six months to | | | | helpful to me or the client. Clients who seek free |
| three years. For instant results, invest in a magic wand, | | | | coaching tend to differ significantly from those who |
| not a career coach. | | | | understand they have to pay. |
| Tip #2: Choose a coach who understands how the | | | | Coaching from your family and friends may be helpful |
| career game is played, not who has a wall full of | | | | in terms of helping you assess your strengths. If your |
| diplomas. | | | | mom says, "You always were organized, even as a |
| Clients often are confused by titles: career coach? | | | | child," file that away for future career choices. |
| counselor? consultant? | | | | However, many successful people will lead you astray |
| A counselor often has passed courses in counseling | | | | because they don't realize the job market has |
| and might be licensed in your state. In many states | | | | changed and indeed the world has changed. |
| anyone can call himself or herself a counselor. A | | | | Never, ever seek career advice from a prospective |
| trained counselor often focuses on test-taking. A | | | | employer or recruiter. They are not being paid to help |
| counselor with mental health training can be valuable if | | | | you so they will experience a conflict of interest if they |
| you have emotional issues associated with work. | | | | honestly want to do what's best for you. |
| Coaches typically are trained in a form of | | | | |