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Define what you believe you need and ask for details about the services.
It helps if you write down the issues you want to resolve. This
can be faxed or e-mailed to your prospective career guide, or brought
to your first meeting. When you have defined your problem, it is
easier to ask:
- How would a career coach help me?
- What is the estimation of the costs I would incur?
- How long has the coach been helping people?
- Do I have to sign a contract?
It is rare for issues to be resolved in one meeting. Be prepared
for several meetings until you have all the right help you need.
The career planning process requires much thought and reflection.
Most coaches offer a structured programme that could take four to
eight hours, spread out over a few weeks to several months, depending
on your needs.
Do not expect a solution on the first or second visit — there
are no quick fixes to career planning and you will have to be patient
and committed to complete the programmes offered by a career coach.
How much do I have to pay?
The cost of career services should not be your only consideration.
Cost should be weighed alongside other factors such as the relevance
of the service to your needs and the provider’s credentials.
Be cautious of fee arrangements which do not specify what you will
receive and those without definitions of expected learning outcomes.
Fees may vary from coach to coach, but as an estimate, you should
be prepared to invest anything from $300 for a resumé coaching
service, to $2,000 for senior executive level career coaching.
Most career coaches offer coaching on a programme basis because
career coaching is spread over a course of time. They will, however,
provide hourly rates for clients who have gone through a programme
and require ongoing support.
About
the Author
Martin Ross is the managing consultant at Worklife
Asia Pte Ltd ( www.worklifeasia.com),
a career development consulting firm. He is also the founding
member of the Asian Association of Career Management Professionals
(AACMP).
For references on career advisers, visit the AACMP website
at www.aacmp.org.sg
and enquire about its members who provide private or corporate
coaching services.
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