“If you aren’t happy at work, you aren’t happy at life,” they say. Whether this is true for you is a personal decision. While a job might not be the main source of happiness, it’s often necessary for a fulfilling life. Even more—an occupation can align with the individual’s passions and bring a sense of purpose if chosen wisely. But what if your work is a mix of pressure, anxiety, or financial tension? Or all three?
Given that you dedicate most of your life to a job, sometimes there’s neither the opportunity nor the energy to step back and take a bird’s-eye view of your career path to enhance. This is when a career expert equipped with career coaching techniques can step in.
To start with, what exactly is career coaching?
Career coaching is a practice that helps people define their professional goals and achieve them with a personalized approach. Whether transitioning to a new role or overcoming career obstacles to improve an existing experience, career coaching addresses various work-related challenges.
Career coaches, in their turn, can offer support by:
- Assessing skills, strengths, and interests and setting career goals accordingly
- Creating a tailored career plan with a strategy toward targeted positions
- Improving cover letter and resume
- Assisting with the interview processes
- Navigating career transitions
- Guiding on how to negotiate effectively for promotions, salary raises, and other benefits
So, why do I absolutely need career coaching?
Today’s job market demands a high level of flexibility and constant learning. Economic instabilities and artificial intelligence lead to job displacement in certain areas and new opportunities in others. According to McKinsey research, one in 16 workers may have to switch occupations by 2030.
To keep up with the career landscape, you must know job updates and upskill. Thus, there is no better time to use career coaching services than now to ensure your productivity today and your bright future.
Let’s review the following cases.
1. You want to grow in your current role, but instead, you feel stuck and undervalued
While every job involves engaging tasks, there’s often a degree of routine and repetition. If you feel unfulfilled and exhausted due to a constant cycle of meaningless tasks, it’s time to reassess the situation and explore potential changes.
Another reason for new opportunities can be a lack of recognition at work, which hinders professional development and motivation.
How can career coaching change the situation?
A career coach will analyze your core competencies and pinpoint areas of expertise to clarify what you’re good at. Acknowledging strong sides helps communicate openly about accomplishments and expand the existing responsibilities.
With a career roadmap, you will set meaningful objectives with smaller steps to bring vision and a sense of moving on.
2. You want to change the position, but you are afraid of starting from scratch and facing financial wreckage
You are sleeping and dreaming of approaching your newly rented office, opening a door, sitting at the desk, and starting the day with your first client. The alarm is ringing, and the smile on your face wipes away. You believe that stability and safety advance pursuing passions and entrepreneurial spirit.
The “it’s too late” trap makes you question the relevance of your skills in a new field and think that you will lose your current income.
How can career coaching change the situation?
The hesitation fueled by a drastic career change requires a step-by-step plan and support. A career coach will create a detailed transition plan with transferable skills for your new career path. You will add objectives, timing, training materials for upskilling, and other useful resources.
Though the career change might seem risky, it’s often rewarding if planned thoroughly.
3. You struggle for a work-life balance, but you lose the game
Are you satisfied with your workload and the level of flexibility your job provides? Have you ever found yourself jumping into a loop of never-ending overtime despite your best intentions? Do you find it difficult to prioritize your tasks, communicate accomplishments, and set boundaries?
Moreover, an unhealthy work-life balance and imposter syndrome often reinforce each other. Juggling excessive responsibilities and doubting your worth contributes to anxiety, procrastination, and burnout.
How can career coaching change the situation?
First, a career coach will identify the cause of the imbalance between your work and personal life. Depending on the reason, the expert can assist you with:
- Time management and communication skills to boost assertiveness
- Setting realistic expectations for the project
- Acknowledging your accomplishments and establishing clear boundaries between work and personal time
To sum up, what is the advice?
The job should primarily reflect your lifestyle and promote positive thoughts. A mother of two, a father on paternity leave, a student graduating from the university, or a corporate worker with 15 years of experience in one field, you deserve to work at whatever pace and format suits you. Try Amy, and we will help you glow and grow with any work and career path.