When looking for a career coach, several things to keep in mind. While some career coaches may have excellent reputations, others may not be certified to work with people in your field. Certification is important because the career coach has undergone certain training or has passed a certification exam. There are some things you should always look for, however. Read on how to find a career coach that fits your needs.

Experience

During your coaching sessions, you will be asked to set goals. For example, if you want to become a business owner, you must write your Wikipedia entry five years from now. This task requires you to think about your future and use the skills you’ve gained to plan your career path. While some people may know exactly what they want in their careers, others need some time to explore what they value in their job.

A career coach may charge a small fee for initial training or charge as much as $1,200 for a single session. Session lengths vary from thirty minutes to an hour. In addition, some career coaches charge extra for resume revisions, while others include this in the overall fee. Before choosing a coach, be sure you understand what you’ll get for your money. Also, find out how often you’ll meet. The coach may meet with you in person, or they may be available by phone or video. You may also need to discuss any questions outside of scheduled sessions.

Credentials

When considering a coach, it is important to look for certifications from recognized organizations for their standards of practice. Certifications help to demonstrate the depth of knowledge a coach has and can also prove a higher quality service. Depending on the specialization of the career coach, the coach may have several certifications. Consider the following factors to determine which type of certification to seek. Once you’ve identified the type of certification your coach has, look for these characteristics.

There are many ways to become certified as a career coach. One of the best ways to gain more credibility and market your service is to join a recognized professional organization, such as the PARW/CC. You can earn a postgraduate certification as well, which is less expensive but adds to your knowledge base. A master’s degree in career counseling is a highly recommended path, and the program is accredited by the British Association for Coaching and Psychotherapy.

Specialization

You can use keywords to search for a coach. LinkedIn is one of the best resources for finding one, as you can search for those with specific specialties. If you have shared connections, you can also filter the search based on the type of service you need. If you have worked for a specific company, you can filter based on their experiences. Another option is to search on Google for “career coach,” as this will bring up pages that are optimized for search engines. You may have to look through many pages to find the coach you want.

References

Asking for references is an important aspect of the job application process. If you’re not sure how to approach references, the easiest way is to email them directly. After establishing that you’re seeking a find a career coach, prepare the reference for the interview by providing them with some background information about you. You can also tell them about specific aspects of your work and your strengths. A few simple steps can help you secure the best possible reference for your case.