Transitions at Work

By Karen McHenry

From: At Work Newswire

“What is the right career for me?” Whether you are a seasoned professional or a recent college graduate, you may be asking yourself this question. Sometimes this career consideration can feel overwhelming, and you may not know where to begin to find the answer. Many people have had success using a career coach to guide them through this process of self-discovery.

Career coaches offer assistance in many different areas. For example, some clients may be looking to identify the right career field. Others may want to transition from one field to a completely different one. In some instances, professionals will hire career coaches to refine their interviewing skills or to help them become more effective at networking.

Carol Donohue wanted to transition from a job in software product marketing to a career as an independent marketing consultant. Carol explained that: “I was at a juncture in my career where I felt I needed change. I had been doing a lot of thinking about my future and what I wanted to do, who I wanted to become. I had conversations with friends who said they had worked with a career coach and that the experience had helped them find their niche in life.”

For those who want to find the right career, one of the primary benefits that a coach provides is a set of tools and exercises that help to identify passions, interests, and skills. By aligning passions with skills, the career coach and the client can then narrow down which jobs and industries might be most suitable. Following a structured process tends to make the experience more productive.

Deirdre McEachern of VIP Coaching said, “In our experience, many clients come to us after spending time and money on the ‘trial and error’ method. By working through a targeted process with a career coach, our clients make their career change more quickly and experience more lasting success.”

Finding and selecting a coach

If you hire a career coach, you will usually meet with them on a weekly basis. Coaching may be conducted in individual sessions (where you meet one-on-one with the coach), or with a group with similar goals. The meetings may be conducted by phone, in-person, or over e-mail. It is very common for career coaches to meet with clients by phone. Pricing for career coaching services may vary. Some coaches charge on a per session basis, while others have created “packages” which include certain assessments and a specific number of coaching sessions.

One of the best ways to find a career coach is through word of mouth. Ask friends and colleagues if they have ever used a career coach and would they recommend them. Alternatively, you can consult one of the associations that trains and certifies coaches, such as Coach U (www.coachinc.com), The Coaches Training Institute (www.thecoaches.com), or the International Coach Federation (www.coachfederation.org/ICF/).

Most career coaches offer a free introductory meeting to potential clients. This is a good way to determine whether your style complements that of the coach, and also to obtain answers to questions that you may have. Working with a career coach typically involves a lot of one-on-one time. You want to be sure that you like the coach and feel comfortable with him or her. During the introductory interview, you may want to ask questions such as:

• How long have you been a career coach?
• How much experience do you have helping people like me, who are looking to find the right career?
• What type of process would we follow, if we worked together?
• What kind of training and certifications do you have?
• How much do you estimate it will cost to work with you?
• How many sessions do you think it will require to help me identify the best career for me?

Each coach uses a slightly different methodology for helping clients to uncover the right career for them. You will also likely discuss topics such as the type of work environment you enjoy most (small or large workplace, low stress or action-oriented, collaborative or competitive office culture, etc.) and when during your career you’ve been happiest.

Assessments

It is also common to complete various types of tests or assessment tools which are designed to uncover your innate skills, the types of activities that you enjoy doing, as well as what fields you feel passionate about.

You might be asked to complete the Highlands Ability Battery (www.highlandsco.com/battery.php) to discover your innate abilities. To better understand your style of interacting with others, you might complete the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test or a similar assessment. The coach may ask you to evaluate your work-life balance using tools like the “Wheel of Life” assessment or the StressMap.

“We highly recommend innate abilities testing, such as the Highlands Ability Battery,” Deirdre McEachern said. “Many people discover hidden strengths, abilities and talents that provide the powerful foundation for their career change.”

In addition to these types of assessment tools, you will engage in directed discussions with the career coach about what types of careers align with your interests and skills. Don’t be surprised if the coach suggests that you conduct some informational interviews with people who work in those fields. This is a good way to get insight into what an industry or a particular position is really like.

“I really enjoyed the experience of exploring my innate abilities because I felt that it put me more in touch with the right career,” Carol Donohue said. “Working with a coach forced me to network with others in careers I explored and allowed me to try on lots of different hats. You immediately are able to identify whether it’s a fit or not and that process enabled me to narrow down my career choices and finally settle on one area and industry that would allow me to satisfy my inner desires and passions for my work.”

Working with a career coach may not be for everyone. However, if you are rethinking your career, it can be an effective way to jump start the process.

Karen McHenry consults to the software industry on strategy and new product development, writes on business, technology and career issues, and teaches at Endicott College.

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Copyright © 2008 Karen McHenry

All rights reserved

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