Finding your dream job is no easy feat.
While the unemployment rate is at an all-time low in Australia at 5.7%; millions of those are individuals who have a job, but not the job. We're the least engaged we have ever been in the workforce, with 6 in 10 open to new job opportunities (gallup.com). According to a recent survey conducted by LinkedIn, millennials will change jobs 4 times before they turn 32.
So how do you work out what the best career is for you? And what do you do if you are looking to make a big career change? While there is enough information on the internet, general advice can only get you so far.
Enter the Career Coach!
Part counsellor, part trainer; a career coach can help guide you in the right direction. After all, this is someone who is paid to listen, give you advice and an expert opinion. A career coach is professionally trained to lead you into your chosen field and can give you practical information on how to successfully make that career change.
Before you start, do your research and find an expert with proven credentials and a good track record. Check their profiles, qualifications and any client testimonials. Finding the right career coach is a bit like dating - choose the best fit for you; someone that you connect with and have great chemistry. Feeling comfortable is important as you're going to be sharing intimate details about your life.
The Starting Base
Most career coaches will start off by establishing the reason you are there. They look into your values, decision-making, motivations and personality. Using psychometric assessments they can explore the behavioural side of what might be holding you back and how you can overcome those emotional obstacles.
For those struggling with fear, frustration and stress, using a career coach can help manage the rough patches and focus your energies on building your own personal brand. Setting and working towards goals that are individual, reachable and realistic. Most importantly they can guide you to become more motivated and confident with a solid plan to work off.
Planning for the Future
With the constant evolution of technology, there is a high possibility that your own job now might not exist in the future. UC alumnus Tim Dunlop explores how the era of full-time work is reaching an end in his book 'Why the Future is Workless'. He states that close to 50% of jobs will be automated in the next 20 years.
With this uncertainty, a career coach should know how their clients can remain relevant to their industry, and identify where they may need to develop in order to maintain their career longevity.
The Benefits
Creating a resume that tells your story effectively, clearly and in relation to the job you are applying for is essential. A good career coach can take all of that information and customise it to your needs, giving you an upper-hand in the application process.
Getting an outsider's perspective, away from friends and family who may not be so forthright, is also a huge advantage.
A career coach can give honest opinions, tips and real-time feedback, pointing out the areas that need to be strengthened and giving you that extra boost of confidence for the real thing. They can also assist in rehearsing conversations for negotiating salary; a subject that is often seen as awkward and confronting in the office.
The Finish Line
To get the absolute best out of your career coach try to be as open as possible to advice. Once you have established the type of career you are after and have gone through the necessary steps and training, all that's left is for you to land your dream job.
Like an athlete, your career coach has trained you for this main event. It's up to you to get yourself across the finish line!
Written by Stephanie Cossetto, the University of Canberra
