Career Coach/Life Coach

[Erin]

I''ll be moving to Chicago as soon as I can find a job. Not just any job, a well paying career-minded job. My background isn''t specialized and I don''t necessarily like what I''m doing at the present. Do you think a person like this could help me?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adele-scheele/career-coaching-101_b_510587.html

Anyone have any recommendations for the NW burbs of Chicago? Would I be just as well off reading a book on the topic? In this job climate should I just base my decision off what is actually available?

Thanks for your input.

 

[Haven]

Hi Starset!

I think a life coach/career coach could help you realize what you want to be doing. I''ve met with a life coach and he basically asked me a lot of questions and just listened to what I had to say. It was really shocking how revelatory the process was.

The entire process focused on positives and the future, so I always felt extremely hopeful and excited when it was done.

I met with Jeremy Ulmer. His website focuses more on corporate coaching, but I know for a fact that he does life and career coaching as well. He was fantastic.

I live on the north shore, by the way. You''re moving out to my ''hood! Let me be among the first to welcome you!!!!

 

[Lula]

Make sure you get references from past clients (talk to them in person) before you pay to see anyone calling themselves a life coach. Ask to see their training credentials and ask if they are regulated by state law and if their profession has a code of ethics that covers their behavior. Get fees in writing. Compare their fees to others offering the same service.

Did you graduate from a college that has a career counseling center? If so, you may be able to tap into free career counseling/job placement/networking services offered to alumni.

Also consider working with a licensed master''s degree or Ph.D. level counselor, who specializes in career counseling. Their fees may be less than what a coach would charge.

 

[zoebartlett]

I love the idea of talking with people who can help others figure out what path to take (whether it''s professionally or personally).

When I graduated college I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I ended up going to this place in Boston, and I just looked it up and there''s one in Chicago too. It''s called the Johnson O''Connor Research Foundation. It was a fun thing to do -- talking with the coaches, taking different aptitude tests, and getting the results. It said that I was best fit/matched with teaching. At the time I wasn''t so sure, and it took a few years to realize that I DID want to teach, but their results ended up being spot on for me. If I remember correctly, this place was a little pricey but I my parents paid for it so I honestly didn''t pay too close attention to the cost.

Here''s the link. Best of luck SP!

http://www.jocrf.org/

 

[PumpkinPie]

Date: 4/8/2010 11:12:10 AM
Author: sarap333
Make sure you get references from past clients (talk to them in person) before you pay to see anyone calling themselves a life coach. Ask to see their training credentials and ask if they are regulated by state law and if their profession has a code of ethics that covers their behavior. Get fees in writing. Compare their fees to others offering the same service.


Did you graduate from a college that has a career counseling center? If so, you may be able to tap into free career counseling/job placement/networking services offered to alumni.


Also consider working with a licensed master''s degree or Ph.D. level counselor, who specializes in career counseling. Their fees may be less than what a coach would charge.

Great advice! exactly what I would have contributed

 

[HollyS]

Well, since ''Certified Life Coaches'' can gain their ''certification'' at a mere weekend seminar, (at least there is one such program that advertises itself as such here in Austin) - - then surely that person would be no more qualified to tell you what you need to know than any random person off the street.

So, no. Don''t waste your time or your money on ''Life Coaches''.

 

[perry]

A good life coach can be worth your weight in gold.

The trick is finding a good one.

Much of the basics can be found in books - but being able to talk to someone who can observe you, identify your natural personality (and strengths/weaknesses) literally in minutes; and provide sound advice can be very life enhancing - if not outright life changing.

I wish you the best,

Perry

 

[arjunajane]

hrmm..career coach (or career counselor, whatever you will call it) - yes, for sure. I work in this field and have observed the value it can deliver.

Life coaches? I''m not so sure..seems a tad gimmicky to me.

It sounds like you''re really after good career advice, so I''m not sure I see the point in a general life coach.
I would research career guidance services in your area - I''m not sure of your age group, but you could begin with the ones connected to universities..?

 

[Erin]

So far it''s 5 thumbs up and 1 thumb down (that''s a freaky pair of hands.)

I guess I''ll just start calling different places in my new area and listen to their pitches. I don''t have to commit to anyone right away.

However I will be taking a few days off next week to stay in the area Friday - Tuesday so it would be nice to schedule somethin for then.

Have any recommendations and what kind of qualifying questions I should ask?

 

[perry]

Do a little research into what you would want said coach to provide.

There are two very important things to find out during the interview process:

1) Are you personally comfortable with the person.

2) At least 3 if not 5 references of people they have helped in similar situations - and then talk to those people.

After item 2 (with several coaches): I suspect you will have a much better set of questions to ask on a follow-up (and perhaps have weeded out who you might work with).

Have a great day,

Perry