Are career coaches really helpful? Have you been helped by one?
October 29, 2022 3:02 AM Subscribe
I'm at a bit of a sticking point career-wise and I'm not sure if "career help" services such as career coaches, resume writers, etc. are actually helpful, or just expensive chaff. If you've worked with and have benefited from these kinds of services, do you have advice on finding and working with them?
I'm a marketing and communications professional, so I don't feel I need the kind of help that somebody who is not comfortable expressing ideas or selling themselves might need.
My key concern is that I'm incredibly busy with work -- 60-hour weeks are normal -- in a very demanding environment where I'm essentially fried when I'm not working. I don't really want to pay for a service that's going to give me a lot of work to do that I can't actually do because I'm too busy doing my current job.
I'm also, frankly, a bit overproud when it comes to these things; my default position is "I don't need to pay somebody to tell me what to do, I can figure it out." I can work to overcome that, but these people seem to cost a lot of money, and I'm far from convinced that they produce outcomes. Repeated experience seeing consultants swan into my organization, get paid a ton of money, and make vague and unimplementable recommendations before leaving has made me deeply cynical about consultants/coaches.
I'm open to having my mind changed, though. I'd love to hear from anyone who has successfully worked with career-improvement services and how they found resources that were effective and how that functioned.
I'm a marketing and communications professional, so I don't feel I need the kind of help that somebody who is not comfortable expressing ideas or selling themselves might need.
My key concern is that I'm incredibly busy with work -- 60-hour weeks are normal -- in a very demanding environment where I'm essentially fried when I'm not working. I don't really want to pay for a service that's going to give me a lot of work to do that I can't actually do because I'm too busy doing my current job.
I'm also, frankly, a bit overproud when it comes to these things; my default position is "I don't need to pay somebody to tell me what to do, I can figure it out." I can work to overcome that, but these people seem to cost a lot of money, and I'm far from convinced that they produce outcomes. Repeated experience seeing consultants swan into my organization, get paid a ton of money, and make vague and unimplementable recommendations before leaving has made me deeply cynical about consultants/coaches.
I'm open to having my mind changed, though. I'd love to hear from anyone who has successfully worked with career-improvement services and how they found resources that were effective and how that functioned.
Best answer: I'm a life coach who used to be a career coach! In my time as a career coach, I helped many of my clients, and I didn't help some of them. So the answer is: it depends! Not just on the coach, but specifically on the match between the coach and the client.
I've found that a coaching partnership works best when the coach and the client have a good "click". I'm not great at helping people with their resumes or a tactical job search, for instance, but there are some coaches who really specialize in that. I AM great at helping people figure out how to make a big change and how to value their contributions so they can increase their confidence and satisfaction in what they do.
What kind of support would be most helpful to you? What is the outcome you're hoping to achieve? There are likely coaches who can help with whatever focus would serve you, and you'll get the best match if you are clear about that.
The other factor that I've found important in successful partnerships with clients is the client's ability to invest/engage in the process. You saying that you're often working 60 hours a week would make me as a coach wonder if you would really be able to take advantage of our work together. Change takes time and energy. How do you plan to invest yourself in whatever change you're looking to make?
On the "I don't need to pay somebody to tell me what to do, I can figure it out" front ... almost all of us CAN figure it out on our own, but very few of us actually do. Just as you probably CAN have a really sexy time without a partner, some things are easier or more fun or require less effort with another person involved. A lot of what I provide my clients is the structure and accountability that it's incredibly hard for most of us to provide for ourselves. And a good coach is an expert in navigating change and pointing out ways that you get in your own way. You can do that for yourself but over years rather than weeks.
Good luck!
posted by spindrifter at 6:36 AM on October 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
I've found that a coaching partnership works best when the coach and the client have a good "click". I'm not great at helping people with their resumes or a tactical job search, for instance, but there are some coaches who really specialize in that. I AM great at helping people figure out how to make a big change and how to value their contributions so they can increase their confidence and satisfaction in what they do.
What kind of support would be most helpful to you? What is the outcome you're hoping to achieve? There are likely coaches who can help with whatever focus would serve you, and you'll get the best match if you are clear about that.
The other factor that I've found important in successful partnerships with clients is the client's ability to invest/engage in the process. You saying that you're often working 60 hours a week would make me as a coach wonder if you would really be able to take advantage of our work together. Change takes time and energy. How do you plan to invest yourself in whatever change you're looking to make?
On the "I don't need to pay somebody to tell me what to do, I can figure it out" front ... almost all of us CAN figure it out on our own, but very few of us actually do. Just as you probably CAN have a really sexy time without a partner, some things are easier or more fun or require less effort with another person involved. A lot of what I provide my clients is the structure and accountability that it's incredibly hard for most of us to provide for ourselves. And a good coach is an expert in navigating change and pointing out ways that you get in your own way. You can do that for yourself but over years rather than weeks.
Good luck!
posted by spindrifter at 6:36 AM on October 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I think that the advice from synecdoche and spindrifter is spot-on, in that it really matters that you connect well with the coach you are working with, especially on the specific outcome you are trying to achieve. Since most coaches offer a free introductory consult, it's worth chatting with a few different people to see who might match.
For myself, I've had great big picture conversations with MeFi's own Kim Witten. She also has a very helpful newsletter.
In the Kingston area, I know a number of people who had good experiences in career transition coaching with Brenda Palmer and Associates. I connected with them earlier this year, and ended up working with Joanne Thompson on some specific career transition discussions.
As a professional writer, I didn't need someone to copy-edit my CV. But it's impossible to be objective about your own writing or your own CV, and the greater our expertise in a given area the easier it is to have tunnel vision without realizing it.
Joanne Thompson was positive and action-oriented, while giving advice from a different perspective. She definitely helped to compensate for some of my own bias and helped me take a fresh look at things. I'd recommend chatting with her or Kim to see if they might match what you are looking for.
posted by mcbaya at 7:20 AM on October 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
For myself, I've had great big picture conversations with MeFi's own Kim Witten. She also has a very helpful newsletter.
In the Kingston area, I know a number of people who had good experiences in career transition coaching with Brenda Palmer and Associates. I connected with them earlier this year, and ended up working with Joanne Thompson on some specific career transition discussions.
As a professional writer, I didn't need someone to copy-edit my CV. But it's impossible to be objective about your own writing or your own CV, and the greater our expertise in a given area the easier it is to have tunnel vision without realizing it.
Joanne Thompson was positive and action-oriented, while giving advice from a different perspective. She definitely helped to compensate for some of my own bias and helped me take a fresh look at things. I'd recommend chatting with her or Kim to see if they might match what you are looking for.
posted by mcbaya at 7:20 AM on October 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
The career coaching I got through my work was great if you want someone to go over your resume or cover letter. But beyond that, if you need more vague "how do I do something else" help, forget about it.
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:28 AM on October 29, 2022
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:28 AM on October 29, 2022
I know a career coach, who has an HR background. He works mostly with executive teams.
He admits that a lot of the success comes from getting people to talk about themselves and their organizations, and basically say aloud what they already know they need.
He's more of a guide than providing new insights.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:47 AM on October 29, 2022
He admits that a lot of the success comes from getting people to talk about themselves and their organizations, and basically say aloud what they already know they need.
He's more of a guide than providing new insights.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:47 AM on October 29, 2022
So I have never had a career coach but I have participated in mentoring programs that have some similarities. The main benefit is that it will actually force you to take time out of your schedule for career planning and the thought exercises that go into it. Nothing will change if you don't carve out any time from your 60 hour work week. Actually having set appointments with a career coach might force you to prioritize career development activities.
posted by emd3737 at 9:09 AM on October 29, 2022
posted by emd3737 at 9:09 AM on October 29, 2022
I think a challenge here is your tone: I am 100% sure you are awesome at your job and very talented. However, while you say you want to grow in your career, I don’t hear that you are truly open. This is fine but I agree with others who have said the right fit is important. Perhaps if you would look at specific people recommended and take it from there: since you are clear about what you don’t want but unsure of what you do want or need, seeing some bios, testimony & materials may help more
posted by smorgasbord at 11:24 AM on October 29, 2022
posted by smorgasbord at 11:24 AM on October 29, 2022
I think it depends a lot on what your goals are. Do you want to get out of marketing altogether? Do you want to move from the private sector to public/non-profit? Do you want to set up shop as an independent consultant? Do you want to move up to leadership in your current org?
I used a career coach to help me change sectors. I did a mix of a group program and individual one-on-one meetings that were helpful in getting me focused and telling the best possible story I could about myself. The particular coach I worked with also has a very active alumni network, slack channel, periodic networking events, and sends out helpful emails. This was especially valuable in helping me grow my network and get better at networking in general.
posted by brookeb at 12:38 PM on October 29, 2022
I used a career coach to help me change sectors. I did a mix of a group program and individual one-on-one meetings that were helpful in getting me focused and telling the best possible story I could about myself. The particular coach I worked with also has a very active alumni network, slack channel, periodic networking events, and sends out helpful emails. This was especially valuable in helping me grow my network and get better at networking in general.
posted by brookeb at 12:38 PM on October 29, 2022
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I worked with one a few years ago. It was kind of helpful. They helped surface a few things that deep down I probably did know about myself but that I hadn't completely realized before, and gave me a few strategies that I could use to approach my work and career to scratch some of the itches I was feeling. But we also spent more time than I'd like on stock quizzes and activities that I didn't find were especially useful.
I think there was enough value there that I wouldn't discount the value of the right career coach, but I wish I had been choosier about who I worked with and spent more time finding someone who was a good fit for me specifically.
As for "I can figure it out [myself]," maybe you could, but you haven't yet. I think that the value of these professionals is that they can provide a new perspective and ask the right questions of you to help you come to realizations you might not have otherwise.
posted by synecdoche at 4:11 AM on October 29, 2022 [2 favorites]