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Originally Posted On: https://hansschumann.com/2024/11/career-change-coach/

Time to Hire a Career Change Coach?

Ever wondered what you can expect from working with a career change coach? This article tells you what they do, when it’s time to hire one and what you can expect from working with them.

Ever felt stuck in your job, wondering if there’s something more fulfilling out there for you? You’re not alone. Gone are the days of my parents’ generation when you would put up with any mediocre job just for the money. At least in the UK and EU markets, people expect much more from their careers these days. They are increasingly willing to change their jobs to gain greater fulfilment or a better work-life balance, even if it means starting from scratch with an entirely new profession. Stand Out CV reports that the average British worker changes jobs every five years, with 1 in 10 having made a career change over the past decade. According to a survey by New Possible, 33% of UK employees are considering a new job in the next 12 months.

Job satisfaction matters

A quote from the Netflix show “Emily in Paris” sums it all up for me.  When Emily’s new Italian love interest introduced her to the philosophy of his family business, he said:

“If you’re not happy at work, you cannot be happy in life.”

I could not agree more. Whether you are career-ambitious or not, we spend so much time at work that it significantly influences the quality of our overall life experience.  So, we’d better ensure it becomes a fulfilling part of our life. If we are unhappy in our job, we waste a lot of time and energy, and the dissatisfaction will probably also affect other areas of our lives, such as our relationship, family and wellbeing.

Why Consider Working with a Career Change Coach?

Changing careers is the No 1 reason why my clients come to me.  Most of them have a deep desire for a better life, but no idea what else they could do or where to start exploring alternative career paths.

That’s where a career change coach comes in. Whether you’re looking to shift industries, climb up the career ladder or even start your own business, a coach can provide the tools and confidence to make it happen.

A career change coach specialises in helping people like you find a job that utilises their skill set while also aligning with their personal values, interests and life goals.  They work with you to establish what you want from your career and life, and which type of job would leverage your skills, personality and preferences. It’s about carving out a career that feels like a natural extension of who you are.

Signs You Might Need a Career Change Coach

So, how do you know whether it’s time to seek the help of a career change coach? Here are a few signs:

1. You dread going to work: When Sunday evening dread becomes the norm, it’s a clear sign that your job isn’t fulfilling. Reflect on your current level of job satisfaction – is there a nagging sense that something is missing, or do you even resent your work? A career change coach will help you pinpoint the root of your dissatisfaction and what to do about it.

2. You feel burnt out: If you are exposed to consistently high stress levels that have started to affect your mental or physical wellbeing, it’s time to take action.  Maybe there are things you can do to reduce stress factors, such as asking for help, maintaining healthy boundaries or working on your mindset. But if none of these actions work, it may be time to look for a job that offers you a healthier life balance.

3. You feel stuck: If you love growing in your profession but feel unchallenged or uninspired at work, it might be time to look for better opportunities. A career change coach can help you explore what’s still possible in your current job and what other careers might provide you with the stimulation and growth opportunities you are missing.

4. You are not valued: We all deserve to be nurtured and valued at work. If you are not appreciated in the way you want to be, whether this is through your salary, praise or promotion, I recommend bringing this up with your line manager.  If things don’t change, it may be time to look for greener pastures.

5. You work in a toxic culture: If scheming, bullying, discrimination, blaming or harassment are constant features at your workplace, you could try to fight it – but this could be a long and arduous journey.  It takes time to change a work culture.  You might be better off looking for a healthier work environment somewhere else.

6. You have lost your job: It can be a painful experience to be dismissed or made redundant at work.  But it could also serve as a long overdue catalyst for change.   A career change coach can help you process what happened and turn the crisis into a successful career move.

Over and over, I see people experiencing several of the above symptoms – but they just put up with them, year after year. Maybe that’s you too? Have you resigned yourself to putting up with a mediocre job that depletes you of joy and energy? Often, people don’t even consider alternatives because they have normalised the flaws of their job.  That was my experience when I worked for an international city law firm in London. Everybody worked late into the night and over weekends, and nobody challenged whether this was a reasonable expectation of employees. We just pulled through because that’s what everybody else in the industry also seemed to be doing in those days.

Since you are reading this article, I suspect you are already wondering whether it’s time to review your career.  Take a step back and reflect on the reality of your work situation.  Do you experience any of the symptoms I listed above? Do they occur sometimes, often or all the time?  Recognising these signs early can save you from wasting your life in a job that is not right for you, and move towards a more rewarding profession.

What to Expect from a Career Change Coaching Session

Curious about what happens in a career change coaching session? It’s all about exploring what you want and how to get there. How exactly a coach guides you through this process will depend on their individual approach.  Typically, they will start by discussing your current situation and what you hope to achieve. It’s a deep dive into your professional life to uncover your true aspirations and the obstacles you are facing.

From there, your coach will help you explore your skills and interests to identify potential new career paths that might be a great fit for you. They’ll also help you overcome any hurdles and create actionable plans that will guide you to your new career.

My own career coaching method is structured as a compreshensive programme that follows a logical, step-by-step process that has worked well for my clients and for myself when I worked on my own career change. I always agree on specific and measurable goals with my clients so that we know where we are going and what success in our journey means. I then use a wide range of tools and processes to assist my clients in learning more about themselves, such as psychometric testing, skills assessments, values determination processes and artificial intelligence.

Each session will increase your clarity about what you want from your career and how this could translate into a specific job that not only meets your financial needs but also brings you a sense of fulfilment and excitement.

How to Choose the Right Career Change Coach for You

Choosing the right coach is crucial. You want someone who isn’t just qualified but also a good fit for your personality and career goals. Here are a few tips on picking the best one for you:

1. Experience and Qualifications: Look for a coach with a proven track record of helping people achieve significant career changes. Check their qualifications and any testimonials or case studies they can provide. Ideally, they should be accredited by a recognised body such as the International Coaching Federation.

2. Coaching Style: Every coach has a different style. Some might be more directive, giving you lots of guidance and homework, while others might be more reflective, helping you to find your own answers. Consider what style will work best for you. If your coach is vague about how they will work with you, run! They should be able to articulate how exactly they will help you achieve your goals.

3. Interview Them: Don’t be shy about interviewing potential coaches. Discuss your goals, ask about their methods and see if there’s a rapport. You’ll be sharing a lot with your coach, so it’s important you feel comfortable with them. Ask them for a trial coaching session before you commit to a coaching package so that you get an experience of working with them first.

4. Commitment to Your Growth: A good coach is genuinely interested in your personal and professional growth. They should be enthusiastic about your potential, and committed to helping you achieve your goals. You can gauge this in a trial coaching session or discovery call.

For more tips, check out my guide on finding your perfect coach.

Making the Most out of Your Career Change Coaching Sessions

So, you’ve decided to take charge of your life and work with a career change coach. Good for you! But how do you make sure you’re getting the most out of each session? I recommend that you step into the driving seat in your sessions. Treat them like business meetings with a clear agenda and be well prepared.

Before each session consider what you want to get out of it. Maybe you’re looking for clarity on what’s wrong with your current job or you have a specific idea to discuss, or perhaps you need help strategising how to get a job that interests you. Whatever it is, being clear about your goals for each session will make all the difference to the value you create with your coach.

I recommend that you give your coach regular feedback so that they can calibrate their style towards your preferences. Be honest and upfront about what’s working for you and what isn’t. Your coach is there to tailor the experience to your needs, so the more they know about your preferences, the better they can help.

For more tips on preparing for your coaching sessions, check out my guide: How to get the most out of your coaching sessions to get the most out of your coaching sessions. It’s packed with advice to help you get the most out of your coaching journey.

What outcomes can you expect?

My clients often ask what outcome they can expect from their coaching sessions.  This varies significantly from person to person. Here are a few examples reflecting the broad spectrum of possible outcomes in a career change coaching journey:

• Improving the conditions in your current job

• A side move at your current employer that allows you to work on different topics and learn new skills

• Taking on a new job in the same profession but for a new company that offers a better culture or more exciting opportunities.

• A full career change into a different profession.

• Going part-time and starting a portfolio career

• Setting up your own business

The choice is really yours.  In today’s flexible job markets, you can carve out a career that works for you.  With so many options, it can be hard to know what you want and make a decision, but a career change coach will make this easy by taking you through your exploration and decision-making step by step.

Success stories from career changers

If you’ve ever wondered whether a career change could be possible for you, the answer is yes. People change their careers all the time and so can you.

• Take my client Chris, for example. He felt stuck in a monotonous job as an insurance underwriter, which had drained all joy from his life. In our coaching sessions, he discovered that he loved gaming and working with his hands and he came up with the idea of combining both by becoming a drone pilot. He obtained a drone pilot’s licence and eventually landed himself a permanent, salaried, full-time position as a senior drone pilot. He is now using drones to locate hidden archaeological remains, deliver emergency medicines and conduct thermal assessments throughout the UK to help achieve net carbon zero targets. What a fascinating job!

• Then there’s Anand, a doctor who was close to accepting a boring job as an in-house doctor at an investment bank.  Working with me supported him in creating a more exciting life.  He transformed himself into a reality TV doctor and set up his own podcast and a clinic specialising in sexual dysfunctions.

• Or take Gary, who had fallen out of love with the legal recruitment agency he had created.  When we explored his core values, he discovered how much time and energy he spent learning, reading and discussing financial investments.  It was a hobby that energised him.  He decided to make this hobby a profession and retrained as a financial adviser.

These are just a few of many stories that underscore the vast possibilities that career coaching can unlock, across various industries and personal aspirations. It’s not just about finding a new job; it’s about rediscovering what makes you tick and channelling that into your professional life for greater satisfaction and success.

Hiring a career change coach could be one of the best decisions you make professionally. Whether you’re feeling stuck, craving growth or simply unsure about your next steps, a coach can provide the guidance, support and tools you need to make a confident leap into a profession that fills you with joy and satisfaction.

How to Get Started

Ready to start your own success story?

I would love to invite you to book a free discovery call with me to discuss your situation, goals and challenges.  Let’s make your dream job a reality.