My friends know to come to me to talk about careers. I love it, and they know it. But does that make me the most qualified person to help them? No, it does not. Even though I have extensive experience in career coaching and knowledge of both business and education sectors, it doesn’t make me the best person to seek help. The web abounds with career advice information, from searching for a job to managing your career. Careers are complex, and answers to questions must come from various people.
To make sense of it all, many professionals seek out paid advice. Similar to the problems outlined in Leadership BS by Jeffrey Pfeffer, there are “no credentials, experience, or even knowledge required” to give advice, often leading to conceptual confusion and ambiguous advice. The same problem exists with career advice — anyone will give you advice but may not have the experience, understanding, or knowledge of your specific problem and field of interest. So to help you decide on the best person for advice, here are three key questions to ask potential advisers:
- Is your practice based on coaching or counseling? You are probably thinking – what does it matter? It is like asking your high school basketball coach to help you reflect on your childhood emotions in the middle of a big game so that you can make the winning shot. Counseling is a reflective practice that takes time and patience to overcome challenges in your career. Examples of where you would use a counselor include fear of interviewing or difficulty working with colleagues. Coaches, however, are there to set goals and improve immediate performance. Examples of where you would use include developing your résumé or negotiations.
- What are your qualifications in this field? Since there is no barrier to entry, you need to understand the background of the person giving you the advice. The qualifications will differ based on what type of help you need; however, there are some essential items to check. You will want to know if they have they worked in or with your specific industry; what type of degree they have; how they stay up-to-date in the field; and references from previous clients.
- What is your fee, and what precisely does it include? Fees vary wildly in this industry, so be aware of what you are paying for each service. Ask specifically what the service includes and how much time the coach/counselor will give to your needs. For example, resume reviews vary from $25 to $250 an hour. At $250 an hour, I hope they spend significant time with you and write the résumé for you. Think about it – that amount translates to them making an estimated $480,000 dollars a year full-time. Make sure that the coach/counselor is worth your hard-earned money.
Here are a few recommendations – http://vsoncareers.com/coachrecommendations/
Career Solutions by Valerie 