Career Coaching Used To Be About Possibility, Now It’s About Survival

However, the same principles, which are helping our clients create their vision, plan, and implementation of that plan hasn’t changed.

The world of career coaching has shifted dramatically.

Before the financial crisis, clients came to me looking for something bigger and better in their careers. Maybe it was a new job, a new career, a promotion, or more opportunity to shine where they were currently employed.

Now, it’s about keeping their jobs or finding work. Both have become more difficult.

Clients are scared. The uncertainly at times is hard to take. Before, they felt like they had the power to decide where their career was heading next. Nowadays, they feel like they have to take whatever comes their way.

The workplace has become tougher. People have responsibilities and bills to pay. But career coaches have always been up against this. I’ve never had a client tell me that money was not a deciding factor in what they would do next.

I believe that career coaches are needed now more than ever. The world needs coaches who can listen and understand. Clients want the same things, a new job, a new career, a promotion, or the opportunity to shine where they are currently employed. The difference is they don’t believe they can have it.

My job as a career coach is to help my clients figure out what they want to do next. I begin with their vision. Then, I help them put a plan together. Then, I assist them as they implement that plan.

The workplace will not be in turmoil forever. Markets go up and down and the job market will open up again. Because the economy is at a standstill, my focus is to help my clients get prepared for when the economy picks up. If my clients do the work now, they’ll be ready when opportunities present themselves again.