Some reasons you might need a coach
Many of us spend serious money on personal trainers, golf lessons, tennis lessons, ski lessons and more. Why? Simply, we want to improve. But none of those activities will help us become more satisfied with our job, earn more money, perform better in our current assignment or land a better job.
1. It is cost effective.
Think about it…if you were to land a new job just one or two weeks sooner, than you would have without a Coach, you have more than covered your investment. In addition, because of my salary negotiation expertise, in most cases you will be able to improve your initial compensation package, further leveraging your investment. And, one more time……..
“People who use a career coach find jobs 15% to 46% faster than those who don’t.” [Lee Hecht Study]
2. Provides immediate expertise.
This is a good news, bad news scenario. The good news is many of my clients have never had to spend much time focusing on a job search because, in the past, their networks always seemed to pay off. The bad news arrives when past networks stop working or have dried up and clients find themselves with almost no recent real world job-hunting experience to draw upon. So now the coach becomes a critical resource for what works and what doesn’t, in a highly competitive job market as well as how to quickly rebuild and reconnect with your network.
3. Will improve your self-assessment phase.
One of the most critical steps in the process is the self-assessment phase. There are several tools we will be using, including the Seven Stories Exercise and the 15 Year Vision, to get at your passions, strengths, weaknesses and long term career goals.
I act like a Venture Capitalist testing the solidity of your strategy, in this case a job search strategy versus a product or business strategy. We work together to make sure your strategy (and tactics) are strong enough to get you over all the speed bumps of a job search.
4. Provide a candid sounding board.
You will find this to be one of the most important benefits of a coach. While clients bring a wealth of practical business knowledge to the job search process they often struggle with keeping their objectivity when approaching an important networking meeting, interview or compensation discussion. One of the qualities that separates me from many coaches is I have been on the other side of the desk as an SVP of Human Resources where one of my roles was to coach the CEO and the C-level executives on all hiring decisions including the appropriate compensation package.
5. Someone who can objectively evaluate the effectiveness of your search.
I will measure the effectiveness of your search “by the numbers.” Sound familiar? I use The Five O’Clock Club’s three stages methodology. You will hear me constantly asking: “How many Stage 1 contacts do you have? How many Stage 2? And how many Stage 3?” Briefly, the system of using “stages” is getting you to focus on talking to enough of the right people, at the right level and at the right companies in order to have a timely conclusion to your search. It is very similar to managing a sales pipeline. My role here is to give you practical ideas on how to get the right numbers in each stage. In other words, having a great pipeline.
6. Someone who will pick you up when you are down.
Finding a new job is a roller coaster. You will have incredible highs but you will also have those gut wrenching dips. An experienced coach is sensitive to this dynamic and will be there with practical advice. The advice may range from “stop your search!” (temporarily) to go have some fun. Take a long walk, smell the roses, visit a museum, spend time with loved ones. The coach will constantly remind you of your strengths and tell you… “you are twice as good as you give yourself credit for.” A coach will also give you “tough love,” when necessary, including the directive, “stop surfing the job boards and get back on the phone!”
7. Severance and salary negotiation support.
I have been helping clients in these two critical areas for over 20 years with significant success.
8. Successfully navigating the first 100 days in your new job.
Most job failure is a result of not having done the right things in the first 100 days. I can help you develop an effective game plan and dramatically increase your chances of success. And in the spirit of balance…… when you don’t need a coach.
You don’t need a career coach when…..
If you are currently employed and…
- You are perfectly comfortable navigating the political mine fields in your current assignment.
- You have someone you totally trust to bounce sensitive ideas and issues off of.
- You are totally satisfied with your career progress.
If you are currently In a job search and….
- Everyone loves your resume.
- You are totally comfortable networking and…
- You have a great network.
- You know exactly how to present yourself in interviews.
- Everyone you contact can’t wait to talk to you.
- You have too many opportunities to pursue them all.
- Your confidence never wavers.
- You know you can negotiate a great offer.