How to Choose the Best Career Assistance for You

If you feel stuck in a career rut or unsure of how to take the next step in your career path, there are a number of resources you can use to help you move forward.

There are friends, books, study programs, mentors, tele-courses, group coaching, career counseling and career coaching. Choosing from among the options can be a dizzying process in itself.

I am a career coach, and part of my job is connecting people with the resources that are right for them. Career coaching can be a wonderful catalyst, yet is not the best solution for everyone in a career slump.

This article from Lower Hudson Online does a good job describing what to look for and expect from a career coach.

If it's time for you to turn to some kind of outside assistance regarding your career (usually when your spouse and/or friends are just sick and tired of hearing about your career woes!) take a few minutes to think about what exactly you're needing.

• Tactical job search advice?
• Assistance figuring out how your skills could translate to a different industry or career?
• A long term career plan?
• A new resume?
• Contacts in the field of your choice?
• Time in your day to do thinking and planning on your own?
• Someone to be a sounding board and support you?

Also think about how much time you have to dedicate to this exploration, whether talking to another person or group is important to you, and what kind of financial investment you're willing to make.

For instance career books are a great low-cost investment, if you know you have the self discipline to complete the exercises and process on your own.

Career coaching is a significant investment that can yield powerful results in a short period of time, if you enjoy partnerships and can commit the time and energy it requires.

Thankfully, we don't have to figure out everything about careers by ourselves. Knowing what you need will make it easy to find the career assistance that's best for you.

Heather Mundell
Dream Big Coaching Services
www.dreambigcoaching.com
heather@dreambigcoaching.com

Comments

[Mike Gackler]

I like what Heather has to say. I have also found it helpful to take some time to find humor in the job hunt. There's a hub I've been following where the writer offers good career advice as well as humor regarding her own struggles to find the right job. Check it out!

http://hubpages.com/hub/The-crazy-world-of-job-hunting

http://hubpages.com/hub/Lost-in-the-job-hunting-jungle-Part-2

http://hubpages.com/hub/Lost-in-the-job-hunting-jungle-part3

[Working Girl]

Fun. Changing careers (or jobs) is hugely fun! Of course, also at times stressful and scary and crazy-making. I'm curious. What does a career coach does when she wants to change careers?!

[Heather Mundell]

A career coach gets a coach of course!

I don't have any magic outside perspective on my own life. I do hire a coach from time to time to support me in defining and taking that next step...