Getting Help In Telling Your Story

Among the most common questions I get come from people who are considering hiring a career coach. Whether your goal is a promotion, a new position, or a complete career change, hiring a career coach can be a great investment because of the impact it can have on the way you tell your story.

To help with this decision, I have posted an online guide called 11 Questions To Consider Before Hiring A Career Coach.

Before you check out the article, let's see if you even need a career coach. To begin, ask yourself the following questions:

• Have you ever thought to yourself?:
  "I know I'd be great at that job if only someone would give me a chance" or "I would love that job, but I could never make any money doing that."
  

• Do you struggle with the concept of networking and/or feel that you have fewer valuable contacts than others?
  

• Do you ever find yourself apologizing for your age, level of experience, or education?
  

• Have you sent out résumés for jobs you know you'd be perfect for and have not received a response?
  

• Do you have trouble getting interviews or turning interviews into job offers?
  

• Are interviews uncomfortable because you find it difficult to talk about yourself without feeling like you're bragging?
  

• Given the economy, do you worry that you may have to settle for a job or salary below what you know you deserve?
  

• Do you worry that your unemployment compensation and/or severance will run out before you find another job?
  

• Have you been out of work longer than you ever expected?
  

• Do you feel stuck in your current job or no longer find it satisfying?
  

• Do you feel your job, and the jobs of your co-workers, are in jeopardy?
  

If you answered "Yes" to even one question above, working with a career coach could help you streamline your efforts.

If you answered "Yes" to more than 3 questions, the right career coach could help you shave weeks or months off your search. When you think about what you expect to earn in a typical week, the opportunity cost of NOT working with a coach is probably a lot higher than the investment you'd make with even the most expensive coach.