How to Find the Perfect Career Coach! Reaching Your Career Goals

No one knows it all. That concept is exceptionally apparent in today’s society with constant innovation and updates to established processes and procedures. When it comes to your career, it’s essential to accept the idea that getting advice and support from someone with an outsider’s perspective can help you achieve your goals (and usually much faster than trying to go it alone). Having a career coach to discuss obstacles and problems can help you avoid the common missteps that hinder many professionals.

Career coaching is associated with positive career outcomes such as enhanced skill, competence development, and recognition or success. Despite understanding all of this, many people  still don’t have a career coach for a few reasons. First, they don’t know how to find a coach, and secondly, they don’t know what to look for in a coach. In previous articles, we’ve already addressed those challenges, so let’s assume that you have a potential career coach in mind. What do you say to them? Here is a step-by-step blueprint on how find the right career coach for you!

Schedule a One-on-One Meeting

Ask your potential coach set up an appointment. Ideally, you want to meet with them for at least 20 minutes.  Many coaches offer some type of complimentary session or consultation, to learn more about you and determine if you are a good fit for their program.  There might be flexibility to meet in person, via phone, or virtually with video.  It’s best if you do some preparation on your part to understand your goals, so you can easily articulate them in your meeting.

Recap Their History, Expertise and Accomplishments

Do some research and understand your potential coach’s history, accomplishments, and critical career contributions in preparation for your meeting. After the initial conversation during the meeting, you want to transition into talking about their accolades and what brought them to your attention. You could mention how you respect all they’ve done for past clients and ask them to elaborate. Be authentic here and genuinely congratulate them on the value they’ve demonstrated or any achievements they have garnered.

Briefly Address Your Career Plans

Now, you want to shift gears into talking about your goals and yourself. Saying something like, “I want to be a director in my field,” helps to position you as an ambitious professional and shows you have drive. It is up to you to show your potential coach that they should invest time with you. This is also an excellent spot to mention promotions you’ve received in the past or any highlights in your career. You want to make this part of the conversation brief around 5-7 minutes. While you should be the main topic of conversation, you want to take the time to evaluate them before moving forward.

Identify a Common Ground

At this point, you identify similarities extending beyond surface-level attributes to build a bond or trust. Your personalities may pair well together.  You might look at things from a similar standpoint, or have areas of your background that are the similar.  Note anything that that can build a strong connection. This step is important because it directly aligns you with the potential coach, which assists in laying the foundation for a continued relationship.

Ask for Their Support Through Career Coaching

If you find common ground and believe they are a good fit, you’re finally at the point where you may ask for their support as a coach. “I think there is much that you could teach me based on your track record of success. Would you be willing to take me on as a coaching client?” You want to stop and wait for their response after you ask the question. Once they respond, you want to ask your potential coach to outline what programs or services they offer that could be beneficial to you. “I appreciate your consideration and time! What services do you have that could be helpful with my career development?  How long do your programs usually last?”

Approaching someone to coach you can feel scary. You’re putting yourself out there to possibly experience rejection. If you have done your homework in identifying a potential career coach, you can feel more confident about starting the conversation. Requesting a one-on-one meeting and preparing for it by researching your possible coach’s past clients and website, are great starting points. If you focus on your mutual connection and briefly outline your career plans, it can help to build a relationship with your new career coach.

Fly High Coaching can help you soar to your full potential and find your dream job. We offer professional development coach services, interview preparation and resume makeovers to support your success. Contact us today to get started with our expert career coaches. Check out our Land Your Dream Job 101 course for more information on how you can secure your desired job change.