Career coaching is definitely a consideration when reaching a plateau in your career.

We don’t always have all of the answers and it is good to get an outside, informed, and professional opinion from someone else who understands business and may have relevant experience in your field. Searching for jobs works for some, but many of the best companies do not advertise like one would think. Many of them rely on their staff to refer additional great people to human resources in order to join their organization or on-staff family. This is where coaching can be of additional assistance. In middle school and in high school, networking is not often taught along with a variety of other useful life skills such as how to make a budget, balance a checking account, record keeping, and resolution of interpersonal disputes between coworkers or employees and supervisors. This type of knowledge is either learned through life experience or imparted from a trusted source or mentor to an individual.

Career coaches can provide insight into what human resource managers are looking for in particular fields. They can act as sounding boards for critical decisions (go back to school and for what, how to change careers, and what to do about conflict between a professional and a member of leadership) and provide strategies to accomplish one’s career aspirations and goals. To do the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity, right?

If career coaching is where your career is at, there are a few practical points to be aware of before using this resource. First, there is not guarantee whatsoever of success. Most things in life do not. Also, there is no magic wand, elixir, or shortcut to success. In rare cases, the coach may know of a website, referral, or angle that produces an instant result but do not expect the career coach to do your work. It will probably take some time and effort on one’s part in order to produce results.

Good luck and happy career building. You can do it!