Do I Need An Employment Coach?

In order to compete for the good jobs, college graduates need thorough preparation and continuous effort to ensure success. This is where an employment coach can add value and help a student expedite the process. Ideally, this work should begin at the beginning of the junior year. However now is not a bad time either because it’s better to start and stumble than not start as long as the stumbling is done where it can’t hurt you. This is, I believe, why major league baseball invented the minor leagues.

An employment coach can help you in the following areas:

1. Identify and Select Employment Goals - Everyone Needs A Target

When students are not clear about their career objectives, a coach can help them zero in on the areas that will compliment their strengths.

2. Determine What Needs To Be Done

Many students don’t know what it will take for them to land a good job. They focus on grades alone. A coach can help them find ways to differentiate themselves.

3. Develop A Plan

Students need both a broad understanding of the employment process and a step-by-step plan that will take them to their goal.

4. Coach Students Through the Steps

Having a coach available to provide guidance, as students work on the steps, is a way to improve student job search performance and increase employer interest.

5. Address Problems and Obstacles

Since every student will encounter a few problems and obstacles as they prepare for and conduct their job search, a personal coach will be there to help them make better choices and find better solutions.

6. Offer Encouragement

Every student will appreciate the coach who recognizes their progress and hard work. A coach also gives a student an expert to go to when his/her “hair is on fire”.

7. Answer Questions

Active and involved students will have a million questions as they prepare for their senior year job search. Having a coach to answer those questions will make any job search easier and more effective.

Of course, most colleges have a Career Services Office. However, many of these offices are understaffed and underfunded. That means that most students will be unable to obtain the kind of personal assistance that they will need to prepare for and conduct an effective job search.

I am often asked, “What can you do that my college’s career services can’t do?” My answer is always the same……………they can teach you how to swim. I can coach how to swim in the Olympics.