Have you used a career counselor or life coach?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been considering using a career coach. PP who was an attorney, would you recommend yours? I am an attorney I. Private practice looking to get out but struggling with what to do(and what I want to do). Thanks.

Open a cupcake bakery.

You're welcome. Now pay me $1000.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But what about a career counselor? Has anyone used one and has it been helpful for them? Not OP, but I'd also be interested in knowing anyone's experience with a career counselor.

Yes. Her name was Kaye Cook and she was wonderful, but she sadly passed away last year.

[Anonymous]

I used a career coach when looking for my last job. I was struggling in terms of figuring out what I wanted to do and how to effectively position myself in a different job market (got my last job 11 years earlier). Best money I ever spent. Found a great job very soon after starting to work with her. Caveat - I wasn't a lost soul looking for salvation. I was making an industry change and looking to leverage a different part of my skillset. Best money I have spent in a long while.

[Anonymous]

I'm a life coach, and have done career counseling in the past. There are a LOT of charlatans in both industries (especially the former). I doubt- at least for the most part- that the majority of people believe they are unqualified, but the range, even among certified coaches and training programs, is extremely wide.

At an absolute minimum, I'd ensure that a prospective life or executive coach is certified by the ICF. I'd also make sure that the coaching program that coach did is certified by the ICF- there are backdoor ways of gaining certification but some programs (like Martha Beck, for instance, which seems to be gaining popularity) are not that rigorous in their requirements.

That said, I've seen coaching have absolutely, amazing, life-changing impact on people... from work to love and everything in between. A good coach asks good questions and helps you implement change that you have designed yourself- there's no advice giving 99% of the time.

I say this to myself internally all the time (but not to others, because I don't want to see like... well, a charlatan!) but it does sort of amaze me how much people will spend on, say, their hair- but not their lives.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

PP here: PS I'd also make sure to ask for a brief sample session, since chemistry is important and most good coaches will offer this (they want to make sure they like/think there is potential for working with you, too!).

[Anonymous]

Any recommendations for a career coach not specializing in law?

[Anonymous]

Lawyer PP here. Unfortunately the woman I worked with and her partner have both gone on to in house career development jobs. I suspect law firms arent paying what they used to pay to counsel people out, which was a good bit of their business. But I'm sure some still exist. If you went to law school around here, call your career office and see if they have any recs. good luck!