On The Hunt For A Job Coach!

Need help deciding what to do with your life-or just moving on to a better job? Perhaps convincing your boss that you deserve a raise is a priority. Or maybe you need guidance negotiating severance. You can get the help without draining your bank account or getting caught in a scam.

Beware: some career coaching companies charge $5,000 to $15,000 upfront, and promise a lot-in terms of writing the perfect résumé for you, delivering thousands of networking contacts, generating interviews or even putting you into a new job. But such promises rarely come true. There have been exposés in the media about career counseling companies that gouge consumers and take advantage of panicked job hunters. What can you do to find a career coach who can really help you-but protect yourself from the sharks? Here are some guidelines.

WHEN SEARCHING FOR A JOB COACH:

– Chose someone who charges hourly: Walk away if a coach asks for a huge upfront fee. Career coach fees can range from $75 to $250 per hour, depending on the level of experience and industry experience. You should be able to find someone in your price range.

– Say NO to contracts: It’s important not to sign a contract. What if the coach really isn’t a match for you? You don’t want to be tied down.

– Personality is a major factor: Make sure there’s good chemistry with a coach. If you don’t sense this in an initial 10 to 15 minute chat with the coach, keep shopping.

– Make sure the coach is accessible: If he sees clients only during the day, and you prefer evening appointments-or vice versa-there may be too many scheduling problems.

– Look for credential and experiences: Any coach you talk to should be able to provide a full bio, with a lot of detailed information about education, years of experience and areas of specialization. If you want to find a coach who has worked with bankers, baseball players or ballet dancers for ten years-check out the credentials.

Job Hunters who are looking for that ideal job can find more information in The Five O’ Clock Club’s new book, Targeting a Great Career (Delmar Learning, August 2005).

For more information at http://www.FiveOClockClub.com