Searching for a job can feel daunting: navigating job websites, submitting resumes, talking to recruiters, doing interviews, following up (and so much more). There is a way to get some support with your job search that will help you keep going when you’re feeling stuck, help you be efficient with your time, and make the steps you take more effective: having a Job Search Coach.
If you’re in the market for a new job, you may have come across the terms “job search coach or job search coaching.“
What is a Job Search Coaching?
When you partner with a job search coach, they will help you overcome the obstacles that are hindering your progress. Your coach will guide you to be more productive, maintain your motivation, effectively promote yourself, and master job search technology, leading you to your dream job.
The Job Search Process
Your job search coach will partner with you to create a list of coaching topics that will be the most impactful for you in your job search.
Some of the things your job search coach can help you with are:
- Using more Job Search strategies, for example:
- Creating fruitful relationships with recruiters
- Creating an effective elevator speech
- Networking more effectively
- Leveraging your existing network
- Searching job search websites
- Searching company job opening wesites
- Creating a target company list
- Creating a job search schedule and plan
- Utilizing social media and technology
- You might be asking yourself: How can I effectively use LinkedIn for my job hunt? Should I also consider Facebook or Twitter? What role does Instagram play? Is it necessary to have my own website? If you feel a bit out of touch with the latest social media strategies, don’t worry—we’re here to assist you! Even if you’re familiar with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), you may not know how to format your resume to navigate today’s ATS requirements successfully. Additionally, with Zoom interviews becoming commonplace, we can help you excel by practicing with us and learning how to present yourself effectively in video conferences. Your job search coach will guide you in utilizing job search technologies to your benefit.
- Interviewing more effectively
- Your job search coach can help you articulate the best answers for possible interview questions and provide you with answer suggestions that you may not have put together yourself.
- Branding Yourself for Higher-Level Positions
- Negotiating the Best Salary & Benefits
- Accessing Job Search Resources
- Your job search coach should provide educational resources to their clients. We provide extensive Job Search resources to our clients, including, 28 Job Search Strategies, and over 130 webpages of original information on Job Search, including: Guides, checklists, tips, tables, examples, podcasts & downloadables; 63 pages on making your job search strategies effective; 10 webpages on Job Offer Negotiation, including a customizable “Power Factors for Negotiation” Table and a “Job Offer Comparison” Spreadsheet; 16 webpages on Interview Preparation, including an Interview Checksheet, Job-Specific Interview Questions, for example: Pharmaceutical Sales Interview Questions & 125 CEO Interview Questions; and more!
8 Mental Challenges of Searching for a Job
By meeting with a job coach regularly, you’ll discover it’s easier to maintain your motivation and that you’ll be less likely to feel discouraged. Additionally, your job search coach can assist you in overcoming the mental hurdles associated with the job search process:
- Working through the shock & hurt of being laid off or fired
- Mourning what you’ve left behind
- Getting over the embarrassment of letting people know you’re searching for a job
- Increasing your confidence
- Overcoming your fears (e.g., trying something new, networking, selling yourself, applying, interviewing)
- Preparing for interviews
- Working through feelings of rejection
- Asking for what you’re worth
Job search coaches specialize in assisting individuals in overcoming the mental obstacles they face while pursuing their goals. They can even help make your job search an enjoyable experience!
Coaching Can Help You KEEP the Job You Land
Coaching can help you ensure that once you find your dream job, you keep it. Studies over the years have found that 20 to 30 percent of new hires lose or quit their jobs within the first 90 days.
In addition, there are other types of coaching that you may benefit you in managing your career:
- Career coaching to explore possible career options and to Multi-Step Career Plan so that you are able to move forward in your career
- Leadership Coaching to help you become the most effective leader you can be
Donna Schilder