During a conversation with a career coach, you will discuss topics such as your talents, values, career goals and work wishes. A career coach will help you to get clarity on your professional direction and supports you in making informed choices. Whether you are unsure about your current job, want to progress or are looking for a new direction, career guidance offers structure and insight. Below are answers to frequently asked questions on what to expect.
What exactly does a career coach do and how can it help you?
A career coach guides you in exploring your professional possibilities and helps you make conscious choices about your career. The coach asks targeted questions, listens actively and offers tools to clarify your talents, values and ambitions. The aim is to arrive together at insights that will help you further in your career.
The core activities of a career coach include identifying your strengths and development points. In addition, the coach investigates with you what you really find important in your work and what environment suits you. This goes beyond just looking at jobs or sectors. It's about who you are and what you need to enjoy working.
Career counselling differs from other forms of counselling in that it focuses on your professional development and future prospects. Whereas a therapist focuses on emotional processing and a mentor shares knowledge from personal experience, a career coach combines various techniques to support you with concrete career issues. The added value lies in the personal approach and the space to really reflect on what you want to achieve.
What topics are covered during career coaching?
During career coaching, various topics are addressed that together give a complete picture of your professional situation and wishes. Think of career goals, work values, strengths, development points, work-life balance and future plans. These topics help you determine your direction and make well-founded choices.
An important topic of conversation is exploring your work values. What do you really find important in a job? Is it autonomy, cooperation, security or variety? By consciously thinking about this, you will discover what motivates you and what energises you.
Career dilemmas also receive ample attention. Perhaps you hesitate between two directions, don't know whether to stay or leave, or wonder whether your ambitions are realistic. A coach will help you unravel these issues and look at them from different perspectives.
The connection between these themes is essential. Your strengths are often linked to your job satisfaction, and your values determine which work environment suits you. Connecting all these elements creates a bright career prospects which serves as a compass for future decisions.
How do you prepare for an interview with a career coach?
Good preparation for your coaching session increases the value of the session. Take time to think about your current work situation, what you would like to see different and what questions you want answered. It also helps to list relevant information about past experiences and future ambitions.
Start by formulating concrete questions. What do you want to get out of the conversation? Are you looking for clarity on a specific dilemma, or do you want to explore your options more broadly? The more specific your question, the more focused the coach can support you.
Also think about your work history. What positions have you had and what did you like or dislike in them? Which moments energised you and when did you feel less engaged? This reflection provides valuable input for the conversation.
Finally, it is useful to explore your wishes for the future. This does not have to be concrete yet. It is precisely the vague ideas and dreams that can be fleshed out during career counselling. If necessary, take notes with you so you don't forget anything.
What can you expect from the first conversation with a career coach?
The first conversation with a career coach is usually an introduction or intake. During this conversation, you get to know the coach and discuss your situation, expectations and goals. The coach will ask questions to get a good picture of who you are and what you are looking for in your career.
An intake session often starts with an open question about your current situation. Why do you seek guidance and what do you hope to achieve? This gives the coach insight into your motivation and helps shape the collaboration.
The coach also explains how the coaching process works. How many sessions are needed, what methods are used and what is expected of you? This creates clear expectations on both sides and provides a good foundation.
At the end of the first conversation, you usually have a better feeling about the coach and know whether there is a click. A good match is important for a successful programme. Feel free to ask questions about the method and approach.
When does it make sense to hire a career coach?
Calling in a career coach makes sense at various points in your career. When in doubt about your career direction, after a reorganisation, when job satisfaction has declined or when you want to advance, professional guidance can help you find direction again.
Signs that career coaching may be valuable include feeling stuck in your current job, struggling to make choices or noticing that your motivation is waning. Even when you are thinking about a career switch but don't know where to start, a coach offers guidance.
After a dismissal or reorganisation, a career coach can support in coping with the situation and exploring new possibilities. This is often a time when people are open to change and new insights.
Do you want to grow within your current organisation or in a different direction? A coach will help you concretise your ambitions and make a plan. Professional guidance speeds up this process and ensures that you take informed steps towards a future that suits you.
With us, we believe in personal support, with your individual situation at the centre. We always work with tailor-made solutions so that you get the support that matches your specific questions and goals. Would you like to discover what career guidance can do for you? Contact us for a free consultation for an informal discussion.