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The prospect of a career change can be understandably daunting for many!
Leaving the security of your current field of work and embarking on another is a potentially life-changing decision. Does it mean you return to school for further education? Should you upgrade your existing skills or try to add new ones? Most importantly, are your plans in alignment with current market trends, and will your gamble eventually pay off?
These are just a few of the questions that prospective career changers have to grapple with. The right answers can come from a professional who specializes in this line of work - a career change coach.
This article guides you through the ins and outs of career change coaching, offering valuable insights into how it works and what benefits you can expect from it. We will explore how career change coaching can help you navigate the transition, explore its advantages, and address common concerns such as the cost of hiring a career change coach and its impact on your professional life.
Before getting into the details of career change coaching, let’s first make a distinction between changing careers and changing jobs. This will help you figure out where you stand and what’s the best path forward for you.
Changing jobs:
Changing careers:
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While a career change might seem daunting, there are two important things to keep in mind.
First, you are not alone! According to a 2022 OnePoll Survey, one out of every four Americans plans to change their career path completely. Second, a successful career change requires a detailed and well-considered plan of action that factors in all possible hurdles and uncertainties.
Here are some of the steps you must take to ensure a smooth career transition:
All this may seem like a lot to do alone, which is why you may consider hiring a career change coach. Having a professional to guide you through this transition sounds reassuring. Before you make the final call, however, let’s understand how career change coaching works and how precisely it can help you.
Career change coaching is a personalized and supportive process designed to assist you in successfully transitioning to a new career path. Here's how the process typically unfolds:
1. Assessment and Goal Setting:
Your career change coach will begin by assessing your skills, interests, strengths, and aspirations. While you might have thoughts about the career you’re interested in, the coach can validate and clarify your thoughts realistically. Once you’ve decided on your preferred career, your coach will help you define goals and create a strategic action plan to help you get there.
2. Gap Analysis and Skill Development:
Once your career goals are established, the coach will identify skills or knowledge gaps hindering your transition.
Let’s say you plan to switch to Sales from a completely different industry. For that to happen, you must understand the domain and work on your interpersonal skills, client interaction, persuasion, and networking skills.
This is where your coach will work with you to identify the necessary skills and create a plan for acquiring them. It could be through training, education, or hands-on experiences like internships or volunteering.
Unmudl offers a wide range of courses to help you acquire the skills and knowledge needed for your career transition.
3. Support and Accountability:
The coach will provide continuous support, guidance, and encouragement throughout your career change journey. They will serve as a confidante and sounding board, helping you navigate challenges and overcome self-doubt.
The coach will also hold you accountable for the action steps outlined in your plan, ensuring progress is being made toward the career change.
Considering the cost of a career change coach is crucial to your decision-making process. Costs can vary based on the coach's experience, credentials, and location.
In the US, career change coaching sessions may range from $100 to $150 per hour, with some coaches offering packages that include multiple sessions at a discounted rate.
Some career coaching institutes or individual coaches may be open to price negotiations if you express genuine interest and have a conversation about your specific transition needs and financial constraints.
Pricing can also vary depending on factors such as the coach's availability, the services offered, the duration of the coaching engagement, and the current demand for their services.
Another factor to consider is online and offline coaches, who offer different price points. Compare prices online while keeping an eye on the coach’s experience, credentials, and reputation before making a choice.
Remember, choosing a career change coach is not solely about the cost but the overall value they bring to you.
While career change coaching can be beneficial, it's essential to approach the decision with a critical mindset. Here are a few things you should be mindful of while hiring a career change coach:
We live in an era of readily available information. You can uncover all sorts of career change insights with just a few clicks! Online learning has made skill upgrades a lot simpler and easily accessible. If you're ready to take charge of your career shift without outside help, here's your action plan:
Career change is a personal and subjective topic. Various factors come into play that differentiates one person’s journey from another’s. Each person's situation is unique, and what works for one might not suit another. The points discussed above can guide you in making an informed decision. Consider your strengths, budget, comfort level with guidance, available resources, and how quickly you want your new career to take off.
Transitioning careers can often get overwhelming, and a coach can offer you a proper plan. That being said, if you are self-motivated, you can access other resources (usually available online) and create your path to navigate a career change smoothly. The final choice lies with you. Remember, the decision you make will shape your career change journey.
You can take up a suitable course with Unmudl for online resources and training programs. You can also get a free, easy-to-follow career change checklist to help you navigate the challenging process of deciding between your current and possible future career paths.
Contact us today to explore the wide array of courses Unmudl has to offer. Take the first step toward enhancing your skills for a smooth career change experience.
