Blog Post: Is Career Coaching a Luxury You Can Afford to Live Without? (repost)

Is career management a luxury?  Is your job search producing results?  Can you survive a long job search?  I work with mostly laid off people and it seems the clients that have the longest job search are the ones that don’t believe they need any help.  

Is this you? 

o    Finding a job isn’t that difficult and I can do it on my own….

o    I can utilize the resources available on the internet; I don’t need someone to tell me what to do…

o    What can they tell me about myself that I don’t already know?

o    I don’t have any money for this, and don’t see the value…

o    A job is just a job…what do I need advice for?

o    I’m not sure what they do… 

Let me start with the last bullet first.  What can I do for you?   

I believe in personal development, and believe a job loss/search is a test of your personal value.  There are two ways to go; you can either look at it as an opportunity or consider it a punishment or failure.  You can be proactive or wait for divine intervention to come save you.  Which side do you want to be on? 

I can assess your personality, skills, values, preferences and abilities to define an “ideal” job.  Once you have a definition, you can find it.  Have you ever thought of a career change but don’t know how to go about it? 

I can help you determine your strengths.  You’d be surprised how many people can’t answer the question “What can you do for me that someone else can’t?”   Confidence is the name of the game and many people who lose their jobs lose their confidence too.  I can help you regain it. 

I can help you determine your roadblocks to success and design a plan to address them.  Do you know how you are perceived by others?  Or understand what is holding you back from what you want? 

I can help you define a career path.  Do you know where you want to be in 5 years and what you’ll be doing? 

I can help you with your transition.  Feeling overwhelmed, angry or hurt?  There is an emotional process of transition and I can help you get through it and be better off on the other side. 

I can help you with the technical side of job searching.  Do you know how to write a good resume or respond to an ad that will get an interview?  Do you understand how technology is used by employers?  How to approach a job fair?  Networking?  A job search is more complicated today and requires a complete understanding to be effective.

 I can help you with interviewing and negotiation.  Objective and encouraging, I know how to make you a better interviewer and negotiator.  Get what you deserve for your good work. 

I can help you with once you have a job too.  What happens when the job is different from the description?  How to get along with a manager or fit in to the organization?  Situations arise in office politics, reorganizations, advancement opportunities, relationships, legal questions, etc. and I can coach you to through them. 

Executives understand the need for coaching….objective assessment, unbiased advice, and understanding. 

Now, back to those questions… 

Finding a job isn’t that difficult and I can do it on my own….You can search on your own, but wouldn’t you rather shorten your search by utilizing a professional?

I can utilize the resources available on the internet, I don’t need someone to tell me what to do…Information is very general and isn’t personalized to fit your situation.

What can they tell me about myself that I don’t already know? Plenty…with a Master’s degree in Counseling I can pick up on things you might not be aware of.

I don’t have any money for this, and don’t see the value…If you find and get the job you want quickly, feel better about yourself, plan for the future…isn’t that valuable?

A job is just a job…what do I need advice for? Most of us will be working for a very long time; I’d like to think work could be enjoyable as well as profitable, wouldn’t you? 

Face-to-face coaching is starting to become a luxury in the career business.  Many companies utilize outplacement companies when they have to let people go, but because of the cost involved, most are receiving assistance over the phone and internet.  Career centers are available and very helpful for those starting out, but less effective for mid-to-senior level people.  With dwindling resources, I want to be a resource for you. 

Ok, are you convinced yet?  Yes, no?  This is a small blurb about my background: 

·   Master’s degree in Counseling, Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Psychology

·   15 years experience in career counseling, training, outplacement and conflict resolution 

·   Specialize in transitions for professionals.  Exceptional creative problem solving and communication skills combine with solid business acumen and strategy skills to produce results.

·   Authored “Anybody’s Guide to Career Transition” a holistic guide to getting what you want.

·   Ethical and honest with a solid reputation in the field.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact me at suearth@yahoo.com