Have you been thinking of a career change or looking to advance in your job? Career coaches bring a wide array of benefits that contribute to personal and professional growth. While women can face challenges such as gender bias, pay inequity and balancing work-life demands, career coaches are available to support those aiming to advance at work, switching career paths and figuring out how to maximize your potential. They provide personalized attention and will ask impactful questions to fully understand and achieve your professional goals.
Career coaching can help in a number of ways. “If you’re unsure of where you want to take your career, coaching helps you gain clarity, set a vision and move through an action plan to grow from where you are to where you want to be. If you feel like you’ve hit a wall or a glass ceiling, career coaching can help you pivot or find creative solutions for growth and development,” said Samantha (Sam) Powell, career and leadership coach and owner of LeadtheGame LLC. For those who have experienced burnout, Powell said career coaching can help you rediscover that spark and reenergize. “If you’re facing turbulent times with your company, such as layoffs or reorganizations, career coaching can help you find a sense of control and an action plan to lead you through whatever situation you’re facing.”
For women starting off in their jobs or for those that are mid-level professionals, career coaching fosters growth. “It helps individuals clarify their professional goals and aspirations,” said Wendy O. Lydon, professional business and executive coach and senior vice president of ThistleSea Business Development. “Coaching also provides a structured environment to explore strengths, passions and potential career paths, enabling an individual to set clear and achievable goals.” Leadership skills are also developed during coaching sessions, according to Lydon, especially for women who are aiming for top positions in their professional growth. Coaches and their clients work on enhancing communication, decision-making and strategic thinking, preparing women to lead effectively and confidently.
On the other hand, seasoned professionals may begin to explore transitioning to a different job or want to leverage new skills, added Tesha L. Nesbit, registered corporate coach and owner and principal of A Phoenix Rising Coaching. “Women can sometimes be pigeonholed by their career tenure. It might be assumed that when someone has worked more than 20-25 years or might be close to retirement age that they are less eager to try new roles or projects. These notions have become more and more unfounded.”
If you’re unsure of wanting to hire an expert, think about where you are in your career and where you want to be in the future. “In my practice,” said Nesbit, “I say when you are stuck at the intersection of courage and comfort, I want to go on the journey of courage with you. That’s when someone would know they should explore coaching.”
How do you find the best coach for your needs? Experts say to find someone who is continuously learning and growing. “You need to find someone who’s trained in proven coaching methodologies and has the experience to help you on your journey and get the results you desire,” suggested Powell. Nesbit added that every good coach needs to deeply know their client and their goals, “Building trust, expressing curiosity and deep listening are the hallmarks of any professional coach’s skillsets. Empathy is my superpower, and I find that this attribute lends itself to all of the above skills.” Lydon also shared that coaches should be aware of more than just a client’s goals, “Good coaches have a mix of formal education and real-world experience. Coaches should be able to empathize with their clients, recognizing the emotional aspects of career transitions and workplace challenges to build trust and rapport.”
When it comes to the investment in hiring a career coach, Powell said it’s one of the best opportunities someone can make in themselves, because it gives her the opportunity to pause, reflect and figure out how to purposefully guide their career. “So many of us go from earning a degree to any job we can get and the next thing you know, you’re 20 years into a role you’re not sure you ever really wanted to do. Investing in yourself is worth every penny.”
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