We are living through one of the greatest workplace disruptions in generations
As the COVID-19 pandemic began to wane in early 2021, many people — including business owners and workers — thought we were getting back to normal.
Ha!
Even though unemployment has been holding fairly steady at 3.6%, it’s been a crazy ride to get there. Remote workers, hybrid jobs, renewed focus on diversity and inclusion, new health rules and tech transformations all are part of our work lives and will continue to be so for at least the next year.
Due in part to a massive return to the workforce, even people seeking jobs in high-demand industries are not finding the jobs they want. In many cases, it’s because job-seekers use a one-size-fits-all approach that is doomed to fail. This is where career coaching comes to the rescue.
The most successful and satisfying job search comes when four simple steps come together.
While some employers don’t ask for a cover letter, it provides the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself in a less formal way than you’ll generally communicate in a resume. The cover letter’s job is to be so irresistible that the HR director or recruiter are blown away. “Wow!” they think. “I’ve gotta learn more about this applicant.”
And the “more” about the candidate — you! — is found in the resumé. Your resumé lays out how you have helped your previous employers succeed, and shows you can do the same kind of thing for your new company.
Combined, your cover letter and resumé land you the coveted interview, the third step in this process. Here is your chance to really shine, to put a personality to all the great metrics and qualities outlined in your resumé. Not only do you answer questions here — some of them can be pretty bizarre — but you have the chance to ask questions, too.
The fourth and final piece is negotiations. They love you and you love them and now it’s time to get down to business: What do you want and what are they willing to provide? With a good deal of thought, research and planning, negotiations is an art that anyone can learn and succeed.
Career coaching can help you get there
Coaching is a one-on-one relationship that focuses on you and what you offer to employers. I can review and revise a resume, cover letter or LinkedIn profile; conduct mock interviews to help you overcome your anxiety; and provide tips and advice on how to negotiate for the very best outcome. It builds a more confident “you.”
This type of career coaching generally is of limited duration; when the resumé/LinkedIn profile/cover letter or other specific tasks are completed, so is the coaching.
But…what if you’re not sure what, exactly, it is you want to do? All you know is that your current situation isn’t working. Career coaching can help with that, too. We dive into your strengths, identify the skills, figure out what gets out of bed in the morning – the Big Thing that you’d feel great about centering your life around – and more.
This type of coaching also is action- and goal-oriented, and can take anywhere from a month on up. I’ve coached some people for as long as 2 years as they uncover and overcome the things that are holding them back from getting what they really want.
Keep in mind that all types of coaching is:
- Confidential
- Highly individualized and tailored specifically to your needs — there is no magic “one size fits all” formula
- All about you and what you want, not what others want for you
- Designed to help you clarify for figure out your goals, design strategies, create action plans and get support
- About making you more valuable to yourself and your company
- Considered training and education and may be tax deductible
Scheduling and fees
Career coaching takes place during pre-scheduled, hour-long phone calls. Before we begin, we will determine how often we want to talk during a four-week period, and schedule those appointments. Your investment is $150 an hour, payable in advance to encourage accountability. (Please note that I charge the same fee for resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters, etc.)
There are two important questions to ask yourself as you consider career coaching:
- If you achieve the goals you have set for yourself, what will be the return on your investment?
- What are you worth — to yourself?
The question isn’t “Can I afford it?” The real question is — “Can I afford not to?”
Are you committed to finding the job you deserve? Let’s set up a free discovery call. Click here and pick the time that best suits you. Can’t find the right time slot? Email jackie@key-dynamics.com and we’ll make an appointment to talk about how career coaching can help you get what you want.