Are you a recent graduate looking to kickstart your career? Or, are you a professional seeking a career change and unsure of where to start? Then look no further than Reflections Career Coaching to help you achieve your career goals. In this article, I'll explore some of the ways career coaching can help you achieve the career you seek.
How to choose a career coach
So, what is a career coach? A trained career coach like myself can offer invaluable, impartial guidance and support with a variety of things, including how to navigate the job market, write CVs, mock interviews with feedback on how to improve personal branding and marketing and how to build a professional network. Whether you want to find a new job, get a promotion or pivot and make a complete career change, career coaches are equipped with the skills and training to help you achieve your career goals.
When choosing a career coach it's important to check a number of things. Firstly, make sure that your coach is a member of a professional coaching body. These bodies include The Career Development Institute (CDI), the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) and the Association of Coaching (AC). The CDI is the professional body specifically for career coaches; it's the UK's professional body for all aspects of career work.
Next, check the authenticity of prior testimonials and look for the source of the testimonial on LinkedIn, Google Reviews, and Trust Pilot.
Lastly, make sure that any coach you work with is fully insured and abides by a code of ethics.
Setting goals and creating a career development plan
To create a successful career plan, you need to first explore and identify your long-term career goals, and then, you need to break your plan down into smaller, achievable stepping-stone steps. In doing so, you build your self-confidence as you overcome each new hurdle, which helps to keep you motivated and on track towards your overall goal completion.
You may first need to assess your skills and interests, research and explore different career paths, and identify potential opportunities and obstacles that could stand in your way. Once you have a clear understanding of your career goals, you can create your action plan with the specific steps you need to take to achieve your goal.
Writing a CV and cover letter
Being able to write a good CV and cover letter is an important aspect of landing the job that you want. A CV is a document that summarises your work experience, education, skills, and accomplishments. It's usually the first thing that a hiring manager or recruiter sees when considering a candidate. A cover letter is a letter that accompanies your CV, introducing yourself and explaining why you feel you would be a good fit for the job role.
When writing a CV and cover letter, it's important that you tailor each of them to the job or company you are applying to. Make sure to research the company, learn more about its values and read its mission statements and recent press releases. It's also important to read the job post a few times to ensure nothing is missed. Lastly, make sure to proofread and check your CV and cover letter using a tool like Grammarly.
A good CV and cover letter should showcase and highlight your matching skills and experience, your strengths and capabilities, demonstrate your passion for the job, and make a lasting impression on the employer so that they move you to the interview stage.
Networking and building professional relationships
Networking and building professional relationships is an essential aspect of career growth and development. It involves creating a network of professional contacts who can assist you in achieving your career goals, whether it's finding a new job, advancing in your current role, gaining new insights and ideas or accessing the hidden job market.
Networking can take many forms online and offline, from attending conferences and industry events to connecting with colleagues on social media platforms like LinkedIn. It's important to establish and maintain relationships with individuals in your field who can offer support, advice, and mentorship throughout your career journey.
Practising Job interview techniques
If you want to ace your job interviews, then practising job interview techniques is a must. Make sure to always prepare before attending any interviews by researching the company and role and preparing a list of questions to ask during the interview. It can also be beneficial to record yourself practice answering common interview questions prior to the day.
During the interview, make sure to maintain good eye contact, speak clearly and confidently, and highlight your relevant skills and experiences. If you're unclear on a question, calmly ask them to rephrase or paraphrase back to check your understanding.
Building a personal brand online
Building a personal brand online involves creating a cohesive online presence across various platforms such as social media, blogs, and websites. It involves creating and sharing high-quality content that aligns with your personal brand and specialisms and engages your audience. By building a strong personal brand online, you can establish yourself as an expert in your field, gain more visibility and recognition, and attract potential clients, customers, or employers.
If you would like to find out more about how my career coaching services can help you, why not book a no-obligation discovery call? You can also follow me on LinkedIn, where I share and repost industry-related news and jobs.