Thinking about career coaching but are not sure where to start and what to expect? A new job seems like a leap into uncertainty, career transition poses financial risks, and meaningless tasks drag down your brilliance? Even if you aim just for a little guidance on your way, career coaching sessions can be very helpful.
Here’s a look at what the first career coaching session typically involves, steps to prepare, and what makes a top-notch coach stand out from the rest.
First things first, what is the career coach’s role in your career development?
Career coaches help you achieve your career goals, and if you don’t know what your career goals are, they help you define them. A career consultant reframes experience at your current work to create a better work environment or smoothly navigates a career change.
Career coaches are proficient in enhancing resumes, job search processes, and job interview strategies. With an expert, you will craft your career plan, define your skills, and map a timeline for upskilling.
“Working with a career coach is a collaborative, strategic experience where clients gain clarity, self-confidence, and actionable plans. The benefits include personalized guidance in identifying strengths, setting realistic and inspiring career goals, and creating steps to advance while also addressing any blocks. Clients often walk away with a fresh mindset, which is a critical part of moving forward successfully.”
Jane Klymenko, a career expert at Amy with 10+ years of coaching experience and the main area of expertise in Work-Life Balance
Success story at Amy: from feeling undervalued to feeling fulfilled
Background
Kate approached a career coach with an issue: she struggled to secure a leadership role within her organization, feeling consistently overlooked despite her technical expertise.
Our approach
Kate, along with a career coach, focused on three primary steps:
- Assessing her current skill set and the perception of her role within the company
- Identifying and amplifying her leadership potential through targeted personal branding
- Enhancing her network within and outside the organization to support her ambitions
Challenges faced
Kate had difficulty breaking through the “technical-only” perception her colleagues held, felt unsure about networking, and struggled with imposter syndrome.
Results achieved
We overcame her struggles by:
- Reframing her approach to networking as relationship-building
- Encouraging her to take on mini-leadership roles in projects
- Coaching her in developing the leadership style to make a strong impression in professional environments
Eventually, Kate secured her leadership role, and her confidence in personal and professional interactions grew significantly.
What makes a good career coach?
What qualities to look for in a great career coach? How to spot a career coach who is truly a great fit for you? The answer is to define what is your goal plus the following common strengths and competencies:
- Has expertise in your career objectives. There can be a background in recruitment or management or even your industry. Can be experience in the work-life balance area.
- Has a portfolio of success cases and a trusted reputation in the market.
- An active listener and a strong communicator. Clear communication builds comfy relationships and promotes an open environment in which you can share career preferences and challenges—be your true self.
- Focused on setting measurable goals and taking actionable steps. A professional career coach guides you to grow and progress with specific, tailored strategies rather than generic, one-size-fits-all advice.
What are the preps for the career coaching session?
Here’s how you can start and get the most out of your career coaching session:
“The most important prerequisite for the first session is an openness to self-reflection and a willingness to commit to the process. While some clients prepare by reflecting on their career history or even journaling about their goals and challenges, it’s not a strict requirement. If they’re inclined, they could try some self-awareness exercises, like the “Wheel of Life” or “Values Assessment,” to bring a clearer sense of their current situation and desired direction.”
Jane Klymenko, a career expert at Amy with 10+ years of coaching experience and the main area of expertise in Work-Life Balance
- Reflection. Spend some time thinking about your past, present, and future aspects of work. What do you want from your career now and for the long term? What holds you back from achieving your aspirations? What motivates you in your work? What are your core values? Take careful note of your challenges. For example, you may experience imposter syndrome, burnout, or frustration with monotonous, never-ending activities. If you cannot find answers to your questions or miss something, it’s okay. A career coach will guide you in the right direction during the session.
- Materials. To help your career coach get to know you better, think about bringing along your resume, cover letter, any certifications you have, your performance reviews, or feedback notes. Having these materials ready gives a career coach a clearer picture of your work history, skills, and accomplishments. Which means they can offer more tailored advice that fits your needs.
- Questions. Prepare questions for your coach and be ready to clarify any possible confusion on the call. This ensures you cover essentials during your session.
- Feedback. Be open to constructive feedback, reflections, and changes. Your willingness to grow and flexible mindset will make improvements.
What to expect from a career coaching session?
“For me, career coaching is about empowering clients to see new possibilities and pathways in their professional lives, clarifying goals, and helping them take steps to achieve them. The biggest advantage is that it provides a structured approach to both personal and career growth, which can otherwise feel overwhelming. By having an objective perspective, clients can make intentional choices that align with their values and skills.”
Jane Klymenko, a career expert at Amy with 10+ years of coaching experience and the main area of expertise in Work-Life Balance
In the first career coaching session, you can expect to:
- Define objectives and assess your interests, needs, skills, values, background, or any other points
- Discuss your current position
- Outline any immediate concerns or challenges
The conversation sets the groundwork for the ongoing work to establish direction, identify focus areas, and outline initial action steps. You will get a sense of clarity, organize your thoughts, and solidify a starting point. So, the first session with a career coach is about laying the foundation. Regular check-ins or follow-up sessions are about tracking progress, addressing new challenges, and adjusting your plan.
Talk to a coach
Take your career to the next level with a personal career coach. Career coaching services will absolutely ease navigating the turns of your career path. With the right guidance, career coaching can unlock your potential and new opportunities, empowering you to achieve professional heights.