Career coaching
Discussion
A friend did this years ago with a career coach who lived in Scotland.
He was amazed at the knowledge the career coach had of the current (poor quality) senior management in the organisation, which was what my friend thought was the case.
The career coach advised him on his future actions, what to emphasise on his CV and what to do with it, and what jobs to go for.
He reckoned it was the best £250 (in 2001) he had ever spent.
3 months after the discussion he moved on to another role with a 66% pay rise and within 2 years of that was working in Paris for 2 years on 6 figures… with a massive 6 figure bonus...
I sit here wondering why I still haven’t done it….
Perhaps I should say hello to the 2 above!
He was amazed at the knowledge the career coach had of the current (poor quality) senior management in the organisation, which was what my friend thought was the case.
The career coach advised him on his future actions, what to emphasise on his CV and what to do with it, and what jobs to go for.
He reckoned it was the best £250 (in 2001) he had ever spent.
3 months after the discussion he moved on to another role with a 66% pay rise and within 2 years of that was working in Paris for 2 years on 6 figures… with a massive 6 figure bonus...
I sit here wondering why I still haven’t done it….
Perhaps I should say hello to the 2 above!
You highlight a great point; the value of effective coaching/counselling/guidance (different terms, but often meaning the same thing), so I thought I’d add a bit more in case it’s of interest to others.
Despite its benefits, for some reason it’s not something that is very widespread in the UK. Those that do access it however usually benefit hugely. We also tend to only access support when there’s a problem (i.e. reactively) rather than proactively to help keep our career prospects on an upward trajectory and avoiding the problems in the first place.
We tend to invest (time and money) in coaching our children (football; piano lessons; tutoring etc), but when we hit adulthood, it just seems to stop. Yet in the US for example, it seems to continue more.
Some who do seek out counselling/coaching/CV support, can often baulk at paying a reasonable fee for such a service, despite the potential return on investment as you described above.
For those less familiar, the focus of career counseling is generally on issues such as career exploration, career change, personal career development and other career related issues.
It is due to the various benefits of career counseling that some enlightened organisations fund guidance services. Unfortunately, many only offer it to executives or those facing redundancy!
A great coach will help you work out who you are and what you want from your education, career, and life. They can support organising and making sense of your thoughts and feelings about your career and education choices. They can objectively assess your abilities, interests and values - factors that directly influence your career and career prospects. They can also signpost you to sources of career information and resources and help you to develop a plan to achieve your goals and determine any next steps to get there.
Job satisfaction is such an important aspect of our lives, especially since so much of our time is spent at work. But it’s not unusual to get bored or burnt-out from doing the same job every day. A lack of opportunity can prevent a career from remaining fresh and rewarding. Some may be feeling disinterested in their career, so they might need a role with more responsibilities or challenges. And do they have the quality of life they really want? This could be in relation to salary, working hours, commute or stress level. Are they making the most of their talents, abilities, experience and qualifications? – If not, there might be a career option where their skills could be better utilised. All of these things can be supported by a great coach.
It’s a fascinating subject and I’m sure others have got views or experiences, both good and bad, on the value of such activities.
Despite its benefits, for some reason it’s not something that is very widespread in the UK. Those that do access it however usually benefit hugely. We also tend to only access support when there’s a problem (i.e. reactively) rather than proactively to help keep our career prospects on an upward trajectory and avoiding the problems in the first place.
We tend to invest (time and money) in coaching our children (football; piano lessons; tutoring etc), but when we hit adulthood, it just seems to stop. Yet in the US for example, it seems to continue more.
Some who do seek out counselling/coaching/CV support, can often baulk at paying a reasonable fee for such a service, despite the potential return on investment as you described above.
For those less familiar, the focus of career counseling is generally on issues such as career exploration, career change, personal career development and other career related issues.
It is due to the various benefits of career counseling that some enlightened organisations fund guidance services. Unfortunately, many only offer it to executives or those facing redundancy!
A great coach will help you work out who you are and what you want from your education, career, and life. They can support organising and making sense of your thoughts and feelings about your career and education choices. They can objectively assess your abilities, interests and values - factors that directly influence your career and career prospects. They can also signpost you to sources of career information and resources and help you to develop a plan to achieve your goals and determine any next steps to get there.
Job satisfaction is such an important aspect of our lives, especially since so much of our time is spent at work. But it’s not unusual to get bored or burnt-out from doing the same job every day. A lack of opportunity can prevent a career from remaining fresh and rewarding. Some may be feeling disinterested in their career, so they might need a role with more responsibilities or challenges. And do they have the quality of life they really want? This could be in relation to salary, working hours, commute or stress level. Are they making the most of their talents, abilities, experience and qualifications? – If not, there might be a career option where their skills could be better utilised. All of these things can be supported by a great coach.
It’s a fascinating subject and I’m sure others have got views or experiences, both good and bad, on the value of such activities.
A follow up....
I thought that well-meaning people’s advice (read older relatives and friends) was so out of date at times as to be unreliable, or they had such little relevant life experience, their words were embarrassing, so I stopped even looking for it. Before the ex-work colleague mate mentioned above, told me about career coaches, I had no idea such people even existed. I suspect many others are alike. I’ve only heard of one other person doing this since - see similar below.
Maybe many of us are just struggling to keep the job we have, praying for some semblance of a bonus, keeping the bills paid, and juggling a home/work life balance too, that the big long term personal strategy takes a back seat.
Maybe people are suspicious of handing over what could easily be a week’s take home to someone who, without an impressive reference from a trusted soul, could cynically be seen as peddling snake oil.
Maybe people want to give the impression that they got where they are today through sheer hard work and superior talent. Do they want to admit that they were coached to get there? As the example stated above, children are coached to swim all the way up to Olympic standard, but we assume career potential just sort-of happens? Maybe I mix in the wrong social circles, and everybody is doing it!
Another ex-work colleague admitted he was taking mentoring advice from a wiser bod on new product introduction techniques for the oil and gas industry. He was mildly embarrassed to admit this was happening, as he was now 61, and thought he couldn’t be told that much new anymore. How wrong he was, and admitted his mentor was a breath of fresh air in his working life. It also made him realise that the 7 directors where he worked didn’t have as much relevant experience as they thought, and 2 of them were dangerously wrong. Only the MD had the honesty to admit his shortcomings.
If I had my time again, I would contact a career coach every 3 or 4 years and reassess where I was, and what I was doing. I’m left with an uncomfortable feeling I would be somewhere much better than where I am now.
I thought that well-meaning people’s advice (read older relatives and friends) was so out of date at times as to be unreliable, or they had such little relevant life experience, their words were embarrassing, so I stopped even looking for it. Before the ex-work colleague mate mentioned above, told me about career coaches, I had no idea such people even existed. I suspect many others are alike. I’ve only heard of one other person doing this since - see similar below.
Maybe many of us are just struggling to keep the job we have, praying for some semblance of a bonus, keeping the bills paid, and juggling a home/work life balance too, that the big long term personal strategy takes a back seat.
Maybe people are suspicious of handing over what could easily be a week’s take home to someone who, without an impressive reference from a trusted soul, could cynically be seen as peddling snake oil.
Maybe people want to give the impression that they got where they are today through sheer hard work and superior talent. Do they want to admit that they were coached to get there? As the example stated above, children are coached to swim all the way up to Olympic standard, but we assume career potential just sort-of happens? Maybe I mix in the wrong social circles, and everybody is doing it!
Another ex-work colleague admitted he was taking mentoring advice from a wiser bod on new product introduction techniques for the oil and gas industry. He was mildly embarrassed to admit this was happening, as he was now 61, and thought he couldn’t be told that much new anymore. How wrong he was, and admitted his mentor was a breath of fresh air in his working life. It also made him realise that the 7 directors where he worked didn’t have as much relevant experience as they thought, and 2 of them were dangerously wrong. Only the MD had the honesty to admit his shortcomings.
If I had my time again, I would contact a career coach every 3 or 4 years and reassess where I was, and what I was doing. I’m left with an uncomfortable feeling I would be somewhere much better than where I am now.
As said above, I have paid to access Roger’s time and experience before and that proved to be invaluable.
I also have a couple of mentors, both senior people (CxO level).
One is in the company I currently work for. He gives me access to senior people across the group.
The other is a guy I worked for a few years ago who is the most natural leader I’ve ever encountered. As he’s in a totally different industry, I can discuss issues and opportunities (whether they are me related / team replayed or business related) with no fear of competitive compromise.
I also mentor a couple of younger people who are starting in the journey I began 20 odd years ago.
I’m a firm believer in mentoring as no-one has all the answers all the time. Different points of view and experiences can really help shape one’s thinking over particular issues.
I also have a couple of mentors, both senior people (CxO level).
One is in the company I currently work for. He gives me access to senior people across the group.
The other is a guy I worked for a few years ago who is the most natural leader I’ve ever encountered. As he’s in a totally different industry, I can discuss issues and opportunities (whether they are me related / team replayed or business related) with no fear of competitive compromise.
I also mentor a couple of younger people who are starting in the journey I began 20 odd years ago.
I’m a firm believer in mentoring as no-one has all the answers all the time. Different points of view and experiences can really help shape one’s thinking over particular issues.
Rog007
I guess you have an area of expertise, rather than a detailed knowledge of multiple professions and industries in the UK?
I had a career analysis 15ish years ago. Did a psychometric tests, answered some questions. And tbh the lady I saw had no idea about my profession, the skillset I had, or even similar roles in different fields I could transfer to. Eventually suggesting "Try and get a more senior role where you are" when all I wanted to do was run away from that place!
So I have a fairly large dose of scepticism when it comes to these services.
I guess you have an area of expertise, rather than a detailed knowledge of multiple professions and industries in the UK?
I had a career analysis 15ish years ago. Did a psychometric tests, answered some questions. And tbh the lady I saw had no idea about my profession, the skillset I had, or even similar roles in different fields I could transfer to. Eventually suggesting "Try and get a more senior role where you are" when all I wanted to do was run away from that place!
So I have a fairly large dose of scepticism when it comes to these services.
Whilst the terms are not protected; mentoring is usually about providing training, advice and guidance in and around your profession and industry, so knowledge of industry is important.
Coaching on the other hand is usually industry blind as it’s more about unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their own performance; it is helping them to learn rather than teaching them.
Hope that helps
Coaching on the other hand is usually industry blind as it’s more about unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their own performance; it is helping them to learn rather than teaching them.
Hope that helps
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