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Career Counsellor Psychologist Career Coach POSITIVE STEPS FOR A POSITIVE FUTURE
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Do You Need a Career Coach? |
By Alison Tait (for http://yourlifeworks.ninemsn.com.au)
They used to be for executives on the fast-track to million-dollar salaries, but these days there are few people who won't benefit from help to devise a career game plan.
Once upon a time, coaches were only found larking about on sports fields or near swimming pools. These days there seems to be a coach for everything, from life to love — and definitely careers. In fact, according to Dr Suzy Green, a clinical and coaching psychologist, career coaching is a rapidly growing niche in the coaching industry.
"Given that research shows most adults will have more than three major career transitions in their lifetimes, utilising the services of a career coach will be more common," she says.
While engaging the services of another person to help you climb the career ladder might sound like it's only for managerial types, it could benefit you no matter what your field of work. We asked Suzy Green and Jacqui Rochester, a Brisbane-based psychologist specialising in career counselling, for the lowdown on using coaching to get a leg up.
Is a career coach the same as a career counsellor?
JR: 'There is often an overlap, but counselling is more about the what — what should I do and why should I do it, whereas coaching is about the how — how will I achieve the goals I’ve set."
Why would I seek out a coach?
SG: "A coach can help you identify career options, particularly ones you may not have considered, highlighting your strengths, values, knowledge and skills."
So not just because things are going badly for me at work?
SG: "No, coaching is meant to be proactive, rather than reactive. To help you clarify how you want things to be in the future and identify a plan of action to help you create positive change and build resilience for any life curveballs that may come your way."
That sounds great, but what will coaching actually do for me?
JR: "It depends what your goals are. If you're trying to move into a new field, for example, you might need coaching in job search skills, interview skills, how to present yourself, analysis of skills you already have, making your documentation work best... Or perhaps you need coaching in how to find out more information about what you need to do to enter a particular profession."
Do I need to be wildly ambitious to get a coach?
SG: "No. While coaches will often suggest that you set 'stretch' goals to pursue, these can vary from individual to individual. It's all a matter of what's important in your life, whether that's climbing Mt Everest or creating a harmonious family life."
Do I need to be a professional?
SG: "Again, no. Coaching was initially used for senior execs, but now it is being accessed by individuals from all walks of life who want to make a transition, enhance their work and life satisfaction, make sustainable behaviour changes or create life change."
Do I need to have a game plan?
SG: "Some come with game plans that they have had difficulty implementing. Others corne knowing that something needs to change, but not sure what. In either situation, a coach can assist you to clarify and design a strategy for the career or life you desire."
Okay, so who are you seeing?
JR: "All sorts — from the retail sector to executives, administration workers to trades. Career coaching is for everyone and now that there's more knowledge of it out there, more people are taking it up."
Is it like sport where I need to go weekly for training and pep talks?
JR: "It can be weekly, but ideally it should be goal-focused. One of the first things you should do is establish goals. Then it can be ongoing or spasmodic. You might feel you need ongoing coaching if you're in a job and you want to enhance progression. You might go once a fortnight for several months, then have a couple of sessions spasmodically, then come back next time there's an issue, such as a promotion up for grabs. It's an individual thing."
How much will it cost me?
JR: "It varies from practice to practice. Check the prices first and see what you'll be getting. Sometimes there's a set package, while others offer an individualised service, paid by the session. Ask the questions before you sign up and find out how many sessions are usual. Sometimes this won’t be known until you've had your first meeting and the goals are set."
They used to be for executives on the fast-track to million-dollar salaries, but these days there are few people who won't benefit from help to devise a career game plan.
Once upon a time, coaches were only found larking about on sports fields or near swimming pools. These days there seems to be a coach for everything, from life to love — and definitely careers. In fact, according to Dr Suzy Green, a clinical and coaching psychologist, career coaching is a rapidly growing niche in the coaching industry.
"Given that research shows most adults will have more than three major career transitions in their lifetimes, utilising the services of a career coach will be more common," she says.
While engaging the services of another person to help you climb the career ladder might sound like it's only for managerial types, it could benefit you no matter what your field of work. We asked Suzy Green and Jacqui Rochester, a Brisbane-based psychologist specialising in career counselling, for the lowdown on using coaching to get a leg up.
Is a career coach the same as a career counsellor?
JR: 'There is often an overlap, but counselling is more about the what — what should I do and why should I do it, whereas coaching is about the how — how will I achieve the goals I’ve set."
Why would I seek out a coach?
SG: "A coach can help you identify career options, particularly ones you may not have considered, highlighting your strengths, values, knowledge and skills."
So not just because things are going badly for me at work?
SG: "No, coaching is meant to be proactive, rather than reactive. To help you clarify how you want things to be in the future and identify a plan of action to help you create positive change and build resilience for any life curveballs that may come your way."
That sounds great, but what will coaching actually do for me?
JR: "It depends what your goals are. If you're trying to move into a new field, for example, you might need coaching in job search skills, interview skills, how to present yourself, analysis of skills you already have, making your documentation work best... Or perhaps you need coaching in how to find out more information about what you need to do to enter a particular profession."
Do I need to be wildly ambitious to get a coach?
SG: "No. While coaches will often suggest that you set 'stretch' goals to pursue, these can vary from individual to individual. It's all a matter of what's important in your life, whether that's climbing Mt Everest or creating a harmonious family life."
Do I need to be a professional?
SG: "Again, no. Coaching was initially used for senior execs, but now it is being accessed by individuals from all walks of life who want to make a transition, enhance their work and life satisfaction, make sustainable behaviour changes or create life change."
Do I need to have a game plan?
SG: "Some come with game plans that they have had difficulty implementing. Others corne knowing that something needs to change, but not sure what. In either situation, a coach can assist you to clarify and design a strategy for the career or life you desire."
Okay, so who are you seeing?
JR: "All sorts — from the retail sector to executives, administration workers to trades. Career coaching is for everyone and now that there's more knowledge of it out there, more people are taking it up."
Is it like sport where I need to go weekly for training and pep talks?
JR: "It can be weekly, but ideally it should be goal-focused. One of the first things you should do is establish goals. Then it can be ongoing or spasmodic. You might feel you need ongoing coaching if you're in a job and you want to enhance progression. You might go once a fortnight for several months, then have a couple of sessions spasmodically, then come back next time there's an issue, such as a promotion up for grabs. It's an individual thing."
How much will it cost me?
JR: "It varies from practice to practice. Check the prices first and see what you'll be getting. Sometimes there's a set package, while others offer an individualised service, paid by the session. Ask the questions before you sign up and find out how many sessions are usual. Sometimes this won’t be known until you've had your first meeting and the goals are set."
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