If you've gotten this far with your career, you may not feel the need for a career advisor/coach.
Well, before you send them all away, maybe you'd like to know what they can and can not do for you.
Have you ever hired a coach and what did they do for you? I recently hired a coach and I'll start my list with what I learned she could do for me 1/ When I started to report the problem I intended to bring to the session I said that I'd taken care of it, and now wasn't sure how to use my time.
(Typical of those of us who are ambitious and self starters, we can do it all by ourselves, right?) But she didn't let that stall our work together.
She asked me to tell her what I'd done to get rid of the gremlin and how was it working at this point.
I wasn't expecting that.
But on reflection she and I were able to dig down much deeper into the issue and came up with some dynamite solutions for when that strategy didn't work.
2/ A good coach will reinforce the positive as well as help you identify the challenges and strategies for overcoming them.
Learning to focus on our strengths is one of the ways we can work smarter not harder.
And a good coach will learn early on what you excel at and how you do your best work.
It's what we want to capitalize on.
3/ Everyone talks about the role a coach plays in completing assignments and being accountable.
I think that is a role I need played for me on an on-going basis.
I may think I'm being productive but when there are so many different projects I'm working on, it's important that some one keep me on track on all the pieces.
4/ I think I serve my career change clients best when I really listen and feed back to them what they are already saying.
The keys are often in the first words we utter, when we speak our heart's language.
I respond to that language and bring it into the conversation on a regular basis.
Some part of them knows what they want and need, and my job is to help that information be released.
5/ And finally, a career advisor/coach will keep you honest with yourself and your dreams.
There are too many blocks that can come our way, without our awareness.
Ongoing, or periodic work with a career coach/advisor will help you stay focused on your goals and keep you balanced with your inner life.
To select a career advisor coach, follow your gut.
Listen to the advice you read in local columns, ask friends who they respect and check the on-line sources as well.
Be sure to interview several over the phone and don't worry about picking the perfect career advisor/coach.
You'll get just what you need for a learning experience.