Overwhelmed by countless career coaching options?
There is a wide variety of career coaching packages out there, which makes it challenging to pick one.
The most important step you can take, before picking one, is to be clear about the goals you want to achieve.
In most cases, what people want is a job and a thriving career.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 200 students and have a 100% success rate in helping them land their dream job.
But I’m not the only career coach in the market.
In this blog, I will share with you some things you should consider when evaluating different career coaching packages, such as:
The elements of the career coaching package
The structure of the career coaching sessions
The timeline of the career coaching process
Session-based coaching vs. results-based coaching
What is Included in a Career Coach session?
In a career coaching session, you can expect a variety of components designed to aid your career development.
Sessions typically include career advice to navigate challenges, guidance for making a career change, formalizing career goals, identifying objectives, creating plans for landing your dream job, and developing strategies for interviews and job searches.
Coaches also offer a career assessment to better understand your strengths and areas for improvement.
Career coaching can cover topics like work/life balance, career growth, setting boundaries at work, communication skills, performance coaching, mental fitness, networking, public speaking, and more.
These topics help address specific areas of concern or development in your professional life.
These sessions are not just about receiving advice.
They're about active engagement in your career progression, with the coach acting as a guide and facilitator to help you understand yourself better and make informed decisions about your career.
Here are some examples of specific career coaching packages:
The Muse
The Muse offers a variety of services, including resume review, career Q&A sessions, job search strategy, LinkedIn profile reviews, networking strategy, cover letter writing, interview coaching, leadership coaching, and negotiation coaching.
They also provide specialized packages like the "Stuck in a Career Rut" package and the "Ultimate Job Search" kit.
PathWise
PathWise provides comprehensive career coaching with a focus on leadership coaching, email support between sessions, and access to member content.
Their packages are designed to be used within a set timeframe, emphasizing structured, goal-oriented progress.
Create Your Career Path
Create Your Career Path offers coaching bundles, courses with support, and resume/LinkedIn services.
Their bundles are popular for hands-on support and helping clients quickly secure their ideal job, while their courses offer a self-paced option for career development.
How do you structure a career coaching session?
A well-structured career coaching session is a dance between structure and flexibility, involving:
Building rapport and connection: Creating a foundation of trust and understanding.
Setting session goals: Clearly defining what you aim to achieve in each session.
Main focus areas: Concentrating on the most pressing issues, whether it’s resume building, interview prep, or strategy formulation.
Feedback: Offering constructive criticism to foster growth and improvement.
Next steps and accountability: Laying out a plan to ensure ongoing progress.
How often should you meet with a career coach?
The frequency of meetings with a career coach can vary based on the individual's needs, the coach's approach, and the type of coaching package or service being utilized.
Regular communication, whether through text messages, emails, or scheduled check-ins, helps maintain momentum and accountability.
Make sure to establish a meeting and communication schedule that aligns with your career stage and goals, ensuring each session propels you forward.
In some cases, a one-time session might be all you need to polish your interviewing skills before an important job interview.
In other cases, you might need several sessions to work through several items like your resume, your interview theme, and your negotiation skills.
The key is to work with the coach to establish a schedule that supports your career development effectively.
Session-based packages vs. results-based packages
Most options out there are session-based packages.
The package is structured around certain deliverables or a specific number of hours.
While this is good because it gives you a clear picture of what you will be getting, it doesn’t address the real reason you are investing in career coaching packages.
You invest in these services to achieve a specific goal.
Whether it is finding a new job, getting a raise, or getting a promotion, there is always an end goal in sight (or that should be the case).
This is why I’m biased toward results-based packages.
When I take on a client, I guarantee that they’ll be able to land not just any job but their dream job.
And we do as many meetings, texts, and emails as needed to get there.
Which of these career coaching packages is right for you?
Navigating career coaching packages is about understanding what’s included, how sessions are structured, the optimal frequency of meetings, and choosing between session-based or results-based options.
By aligning these factors with your career objectives, you’re not just buying a service.
You’re investing in a strategic partnership that can catalyze your professional growth and lead to a fulfilling career journey.
If you are a parent who has been doing most of the job search work for your college student and want to delegate those responsibilities, I can help.
I help your student build communication skills, confidence, and support them with one-on-one coaching until they land the job of their dreams.
Whenever you are ready, you can book a call with me to see if my services match your needs.