Free Career and Job Search Advice

vijay · Newbie Joined: 29 Oct 2006 Posts: 2 Career Advice: +0/-0

Here's a question for the group... what do you all think of utilizing career counselors (career / life coaches)? Worthwhile, or a waste of time & money?

My initial reaction, when offered a career coach by the company who laid me off last year, was "why bother"? I couldn't see that the services they were touting (job search seminar, resume critique, free use of their office facilities and fax machine) were worth pursuing. When I finally (and reluctantly) agreed to a 1 on 1 session, it was primarily for another agenda, as they had dangled the "we have ties to angel money" bait (which I swallowed - hook, line and sinker). I now have a pretty good relationship with my career coach, who is now also a client of mine (I'm developing his web site).

I'm wondering if other people have had experience with job coaching, and if so, has it been positive?

sweet_life · Expert Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 184 Career Advice: +0/-1

Welll...a career coach IS worth it. A career coach can assist with your job search, with exploring career options, and with personal issues that may impact your career. Your first reacion was negative because you were experiencing the frustration of being laid off...and yyou were kind of mad on the company's staff. However, you descovered yourself how useful a career coach can be. I didn't have the chance of hiring a career coach...I don't know if I can call it chance...it's better that you don't get fired and all...but....for the people who reach this point, a career chaoch is a mind opener and keeps you focused on your career goals instead of letting you fall into tyhe deepest sorrows of life Smile

)

Ciprian13 · Expert Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 240 Career Advice: +0/-0

Maybe you need such a coach if you don't know how and what to say to find a job and especially you don't have the self-confidence in your powers.I wonder how much they are paid these guys,I know that in my college there are some classes for free where they teach students how to react when seraching for a job.

Chris · New User Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 8 Career Advice: +0/-0

Find a good coach is like finding a good psychiatrist. Most people don't know what to expect, most people don't expect to pay much (unless a company is paying for it), and like most relationships, there has to be a personality compatability for it to work.

sweet_life · Expert Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 184 Career Advice: +0/-1

I say....to Cip....If the coach is paid by the company why not? And yes....there are a lot of...let's call the "odd jobs" in the world.... Odd meaning there is no actually compulsory need for them to exist...BUT...and there's a big but.....There are also people who are not as confident and as skilled in finding a proper job as...maybe...you are. Agree?

Ciprian13 · Expert Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 240 Career Advice: +0/-0

I certantly agree with that.That's why this job was inveted-career counselor- to help those who are in need.Maybe this guy who is the picture-Cameron Powell has the answers for all the job related questions we might have,so why don't we ask him how many people is helping him in a day?

lilo · Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:30 am Post subject:

you guys...let's not be mean...there's a place for everybody and for all kind of odd jobs, even if, believe me, "career coaches" are quite old. It may be the Romanian system which qualifies the job as being "odd"... Smile

I'm telling you sincerely, people in here would feel ashamed or insulted if they would experience Vijay's situation (being laid off but being given a career coach instead...haha..."we don't need you but he'll find some people for you that will" thing Smile

).
I don't know about Cameron Powell being helped by anyone Very Happy

...but I find this site quite useful, and I believe he is a part of this feeling too...so.... Smile

vinz · New User Joined: 11 Nov 2006 Posts: 5 Career Advice: +0/-0

I was let go by the first employer I had when I graduated from college. We mutually agreed that the job no longer fit my interests and abilities, and they arranged for outplacement counseling as part of my severance benefits.

I feel that I benefited greatly from outplacement counseling because I needed a coach to guide me through the process. I often feel now that I need a coach because I need the accountability and someone to bounce ideas off of.

The outplacement counselor conducted a few assessments on me (MBTI and one other that I cannot remember the name of), which helped me to learn more about myself.

Ola · Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 12:27 pm Post subject:

as long as the career coach is an "expert", and he/she has a geniue track record of success, and have helped many secure their dream post, then it will be worthwhile.however if you get real testimonials, then it will prove to be a big waste of time and money, there is absolutely nothing you can't do yourself, but many times it saves time and hassle to consult an expert for geniue help..

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Ciprian13 · Expert Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 240 Career Advice: +0/-0

All this talk about career coaching made me wonder a thing-How do you become a proffesinal career coach?Are there any special courses that you should take to become such a coach?Or you just need lots of experience in this field and you consider yourself a career coach. Laughing

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