A background in career services or workforce development will offer you the most relevant experience. A background in recruiting or human resources can also be helpful, as this will give you the opportunity to learn more about what employers are looking for. A successful career of any kind can be an excellent asset, especially if you want to help people find jobs in the same field that you used to work in.
It is helpful to know which job markets are hiring, or have rising employment opportunities, compared to others. Most answers to this can be found online with a simple search. Social media is currently widely used, but new technologies are developing all the time, so never stop learning about the latest trends.
You will need to help clients expand upon or condense their resumes to an appropriate length based on the amount of experience they have. You will need to help clients tailor their resumes for individual positions. You should know what keywords recruiters in the specific industry will be looking for. You should learn how to expertly format resumes so they are easy to read and look professional.
You will need to know what questions to ask in order to get people to reveal this information to you. You will also need to be able to analyze the information that your clients give you quickly and effectively.
It’s a great idea to hire a coach for a few months so you can get a first-hand feel for the profession. This way, you will truly understand what it is like to be coached and what are the benefits of this practice.
If you have a background in a specific industry, consider catering to clients looking for careers in that industry. Your professional experience will go a long way to increase your credibility. You can also cater towards specific types of people who you enjoy working with, such as recent college graduates or stay-at-home moms who are trying to reenter the workforce. Alternatively, you can focus on a certain kind of job hunter. For example, some people contact career coaches because they have no idea what they want to do for a career, while others contact career coaches because they want to advance in their careers, but are unsure about what they need to do. Still others contact career coaches because they need help writing their resumes and applying for jobs.
There are a wide variety of career and life coaching certification programs available, and because career coaching is not a regulated industry, they all have different requirements. Make sure to thoroughly research any program before signing up. It might also be helpful to talk to people who have completed the programs. [7] X Research source It’s also important to do your homework to make sure the program is the best fit for you, since all coaching schools have different approaches, training styles and costs.
If you can afford it, you may want to invest in an office space. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find an office space that allows you to rent out space by the day or by the hour. [8] X Research source
If you don’t have a large budget, don’t worry. There are lots of providers that offer simple website design and hosting for inexpensive rates. As your business grows, you can update your website. When writing the content for your website, be sure to consider what your mission statement is and how you can communicate that to your customers. Everything you write should have a consistent voice that conveys your brand’s message. [10] X Research source
Come up with a great logo and tagline and use them consistently across all of your marketing materials. [11] X Research source Marketing can be very expensive, so make sure you start saving some money to invest in your business. [12] X Research source
Make sure everything you post online or otherwise distribute is in keeping with your personal brand.
If you have a specific career goal in mind, be sure to check to see what the educational requirements are. For example, if you wish to become a career counselor at a school, you will need a master’s degree in school counseling, as well as the appropriate state license. [15] X Trustworthy Source US Bureau of Labor Statistics U. S. government agency that collects and reports labor-related information Go to source
Keep in mind that some companies may require you to hold a certain degree. Be vigilant about finding the right fit for you. As a career coach, you should know how to network and search online job boards in order to find a great opportunity.
As a career counselor, you can also help people identify issues that may be holding them back in life, such as depression or anxiety. [18] X Research source You must have at least a bachelor’s degree to work as a career counselor, but many counselors have master’s degrees or doctoral degrees. Career counselor also need to be licensed by the state in which they operate. [19] X Research source
