Career coaching: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What career coaching is

Career coaching is a set of sessions with a coach who helps you clarify goals, improve your resume, prepare for interviews and plan a job change. Sessions use practical exercises and accountability.

Signs you need it

  • You are unsure what career path fits you
  • You have been applying for jobs without getting interviews
  • You want to move to a new field or ask for a promotion
  • Your resume or online profile has not been updated in years
  • You are returning to work after time away

What the pro does

  • An intake on your work history, skills and what you want next
  • Exercises to identify strengths and target roles
  • Resume, cover letter and online profile review
  • Mock interviews with feedback
  • A plan with weekly steps and check-ins

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Coach's experience and background
  • Number and length of sessions
  • Resume or profile writing included
  • Mock interview sessions
  • In person or video
  • Package or session based

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number and length of sessions and the schedule
  • Which documents the coach will edit or write
  • Mock interview sessions included or not
  • Cancellation terms
  • What you are expected to do between sessions

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What is your background, and what roles have you coached for?
  • Do you edit resumes or only advise?
  • Will we practice interviews?
  • How do you set goals and track progress?
  • Do you have a past client I can speak with?
  • What do you not help with?

Red flags

  • Promising a job offer
  • Charging for a job list you could find yourself
  • Pressure to buy a long package right away
  • Claims to place you with employers
  • Vague answers about their own background

What you can do yourself

You can update your resume, list your wins and practice answers aloud with a friend, but a coach brings outside feedback and structure. Hire a coach when you are stuck or switching fields.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to offer coaching, so ask about training, any certification and how to verify it with the issuer, and ask for a client reference. Coaches are not a substitute for a licensed therapist or doctor, so check with your state or local agency if you are unsure what a coach may offer.

Career coaching questions

Will a coach find me a job?

A coach guides your search but does not guarantee a job.

Do you write my resume?

Ask. Some coaches edit; others only advise.

How many sessions do I need?

It depends on your goals. Ask for a plan.

Can I do it by video?

Many career coaches offer video sessions, which makes it easier to review a resume on screen and practice interviews from home.

Pro reviewers

Pros who offer career coaching remotely can improve this guide, like Wikipedia. We check every edit before it goes live. Every approved edit is credited in the edit history and on the pro's profile.

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