$2K is probably too steep for me. But it might be worth it depending on the services offered and if I was looking for something like a higher executive level job. Maybe think of the fee as a percentage of the salary you hope to get with a new job.

Anonymous wrote:I’ve hit a career wall. I can’t stay where I am but don’t see any relevant opportunities in this geography. DC is a bad place for my industry but I’m stuck due to family obligations.

The only way I can stay here is to shift industries and take additional certifications to change skill set.

My friends swear by a certain career coach. The fee is $2k to start. I’m hesitant to invest vs traditional resume service.

Would you pay $2k?

no way

If they don't know of available jobs and able to get you the interview, what's the point?

Can you pay a smaller fee for a first meeting? I wouldn't commit to $2k without even meeting the person. I have many friends I love but would not trust their judgement on something like this.

If you find an excellent therapist they often can do at least the same and usually better due to the overlap between career issues and your own particular and specific psychology but again it should be an excellent therapist which can be hard to find. And your insurance may help cover it.

Anonymous wrote:And we are paying $600 a month for my DH to continue with his career coach (started after a lay-off, paid for by previous employer, he decided to continue now that he is employed again). Makes me crazy, because for what we are paying her (over $7k per year), we could go on a nice vacation, put more away for college, and so many other things! But no, he has to chat with her about his career...

Is that all they talk about? Why would anyone need to continue w career coaching once a position is secure? Keeping a therapist yes. Coach, why?

Anonymous wrote:And we are paying $600 a month for my DH to continue with his career coach (started after a lay-off, paid for by previous employer, he decided to continue now that he is employed again). Makes me crazy, because for what we are paying her (over $7k per year), we could go on a nice vacation, put more away for college, and so many other things! But no, he has to chat with her about his career...

This could be innocent (based on his insecurities), or.....it could be something more. Keep an eye on this. Closely.

Anonymous wrote:And we are paying $600 a month for my DH to continue with his career coach (started after a lay-off, paid for by previous employer, he decided to continue now that he is employed again). Makes me crazy, because for what we are paying her (over $7k per year), we could go on a nice vacation, put more away for college, and so many other things! But no, he has to chat with her about his career...

Maybe she does something for him.

And we are paying $600 a month for my DH to continue with his career coach (started after a lay-off, paid for by previous employer, he decided to continue now that he is employed again). Makes me crazy, because for what we are paying her (over $7k per year), we could go on a nice vacation, put more away for college, and so many other things! But no, he has to chat with her about his career...

What was the result for your friends who used them? I paid a similar amount for a career coach after getting a reco from friends and didn't really find value in it.

Is the career coach a SAHM, or that's only for life coaches?

I would first want a consultation to speak to them to find out if I liked them and think we would be compatible.

I would want to understand why they feel they are qualified to be a career coach. What background they have, what career shifts they made, and so on. If their only career shift was from their previous job to career coach then I would be leery.

Then I would want references and I would actually call and speak to them and make sure the kind of career guidance they received was in line with the kind you are seeking.

Yes, I would. I’ve seen people waste years job searching because they’ve made mistakes that could have been easily corrected by a good career coach.

No, not unless I had exhausted every other option.

I’ve hit a career wall. I can’t stay where I am but don’t see any relevant opportunities in this geography. DC is a bad place for my industry but I’m stuck due to family obligations.

The only way I can stay here is to shift industries and take additional certifications to change skill set.

My friends swear by a certain career coach. The fee is $2k to start. I’m hesitant to invest vs traditional resume service.

Would you pay $2k?