Working with a career coach or career counselor can be a invaluable investment for your career transition. I can’t tell you how many times I have potential clients contact me and say, “I read these career books but I still don’t know what I want to do”, “I took a career assessment online and it told me I should be a circus clown”, or something they were not interested in at all. I understand how this feels. Some of us feel like we have so many career ideas in our heads we can’t choose just one. It’s like we’re on spin cycle in the dryer. I was in this same position after college. I was completely confused myself, and it was affecting my confidence.
The value of a career coach is having someone to bounce your ideas off of. It’s someone who is trained in the profession, and can help you understand the things you need to consider to help clarify your career direction. They can help you wade through your ideas and take you through the process step by step. One of my coaching clients sent me this email:
Hi Hallie,
Thanks for staying in touch. Our work three years ago is still paying dividends. Turns out that was a long term investment. I appreciate your tidbits every now and then. Just seeing your name in my in box reminds me of the goals and ideas we discussed. Happy Spring!
All Best,
W Woods
Coaching is a long term investment for yourself that will pay for itself ten-fold over time. It’s not like buying a new car where you drive it off the lot and it decreases in value. If you are committed, do the work your coach suggests and remain open-minded the value of coaching can last for a lifetime. It costs money and you need to balance that with your budget needs of course, but I see a lot of people so fearful about the cost that they let it stand in their way of getting the help they need. Don’t let this be you.
What I tell my prospective clients is this: Find a balance between stretching your budget and being comfortable with what you’re spending.
Make your decision about working with a career coach from a place of empowerment and abundance, not fear. Decisions made out of fear almost never go right. Find a way to make it work. A way that feels good for you, like you are doing something for yourself and taking a stand for your goals.
Hallie Crawford
Career Transition Coach
