Michael DeSafey | Executive Recruiter and HR Professional

2 Benefits Of Using A Career Coach To Advance Your Career

2 Benefits Of Using A Career Coach To Advance Your Career

Date : January 27, 2015 | By : michael_desafey

2 Benefits Of Using A Career Coach To Advance Your Career

Having a professional career coach may help you gain new perspectives on your career and boost your confidence. What’s more, a career coach may result in improved productivity and satisfaction with life and work.

As executive recruiter and career coach with over 20 years of experience, I highly recommend career coaching in the early years of college or immediately post-college, though career coaching can be beneficial for any stage of a person’s career.  Likewise, career coach and former CNN correspondent Gina London says anyone who is struggling from some aspect of their career can benefit from having a career coach’s guide.

This being said, here are 2 benefits you get from having a career coach.

1. An Objective Perspective On Your Career

It’s helpful to have friends and family help you with your career, but because they’ve known you for a good amount of your lifetime, their advice can be slightly subjective. With a career coach, you’ll be getting a completely objective perspective. Career coaching, after all, involves in-depth career research and complex psychological theory – both of which require objectivity.

Case in point, by giving my perspective I helped one of my clients advance in their job search very rapidly by breaking down barriers they did not know existed:

A recent client couldn’t break the pattern of just submitting resumes to online job postings. After some discussion, he revealed that, because his parents both had very dominant personalities, it was his tendency to withdraw a little and hold back on his daily actions. He struggled with being assertive, being reluctant to ask for help and discouraged when faced with the prospect of being rejected.  He had to be encouraged to develop the confidence that is needed for career networking. He had the skills and experience but lacked the motivation to expand his horizons and broaden his career. By encouraging him to network, attend industry association meetings, expand existing relationships he obtained a job offer, exceeding his expectations within 2 weeks.

2. Measurable Progress

A career coach doesn’t just listen to your concerns. Rather, they give you tools, tips, and techniques to help you attain measurable results. This is what makes a career coach different from any other type of mentor: they don’t just give you advice based on their own life experiences they discuss with you how to grow your career, provide you tools to expand your horizons and motivate you to excel in your career. Tracking results at each stage.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of career coaching for your career, feel free to visit our website at www.webuildstaffing.com

Michael DeSafey is a leading executive recruiter for professionals in the construction, engineering and environmental industries. He is currently the President of Webuild Staffing www.webuildstaffing.com . To learn more about Michael or to follow his Blog please visit www.michaeldesafey.com

Has Your Career Flat-lined? Four Benefits of Using a Career Coach

Career Coaching For Construction, Engineering And Environmental Professionals

Has Your Career Flat-lined? Four Benefits of Using a Career Coach

Date : October 7, 2014 | By : michael_desafey

Do you find yourself stuck in a rut and your career does not seem to be evolving. Numerous professionals are unsatisfied with the direction of their career and the advances in skills and knowledge they have made; but don’t understand how to make the changes needed to grow professionally and advance within the ranks of an organization.

This is especially true in the Construction, Engineering and Environmental industries, where specialization by technical discipline and projects shape your career. Using a career coach can get you excited about working again and assist you with learning the skills needed to evolve your career in new directions. Here are four benefits of using a career coach to advance your career.

 1.   Find Direction and Solutions: It is easy to lose sight of your career goals when you have been doing the same thing majority of your working life. A career coach can interact with you to determine your core skills, accomplishments and working desires.. Considering these, the coach will think outside of the box to find fresh career options. It’s easy to go about your day to day job thinking that it’s all you are qualified to do. For example, if you have been a superintendent for the last 10 years, you may not think management is an option. A career coach can assist in giving you direction and finding your natural managing and leadership skills. By knowing that you hold these skills, you will have the confidence to reach for the higher positions. Lastly, your coach will create a career advancement plan as a road map to your success.

2.   Research Prospective Employers: Not every company offers the ideal position for your situation or skills. Each company has a unique mission statement and a wide range of clientele. Some companies depend on in person interactions while others work behind the scenes. Say you are someone who works better independently; you wouldn’t be comfortable in an environment that depends on group projects. You don’t have time to research every companies’ mission statement and corporate culture. A coach will educate you on how to properly search for jobs. You will learn how to find jobs, what keywords match your working style , as well as discover career opportunities that are not listed on typical job boards or websites. Keep in mind that not every company posts openings on the popular search engines. Many of the fastest-growing industries, such as environmental and engineering, rely on personal networking and social media to find potential employees. It is important to keep your LinkedIn profile up to date.  This is extremely significant for a construction, engineering or environmental professional; which your coach can assist you with.

3.   Job Interviewing: Your career coach will prepare you for interviews. Your first interaction with a company is the most important. Learning what types of questions are asked, and the response employers are searching for will give you a edge in the selection process. You will most likely go through several mock interviews with your career coach, which will help you stay calm and confident during the interview. The Construction, Engineering and Environmental industries are fairly dynamic, so it is important to research the company to learn their core services, projects and needs. Employers remember the applicants who show initiative by asking about the company. It shows them that you are serious in your job search.

4.   Salary Negotiations: It is important to research current salary trends before accepting an offer. For example, Engineering salaries vary drastically based on expertise and certifications. Your coach will work with your in determining a fair salary. You will also learn communication skills to negotiate with a potential employer or HR department.

Using a career coach is your best option to find the career of your dreams. Use their professional skills to benefit your job search and prepare you for advancing your career to the next level.

Michael DeSafey is a leading executive recruiter for professionals in the construction, engineering and environmental industries. He is currently the President of Webuild Staffing (www.webuildstaffing.com ). To learn more about Michael or to follow his Blog please visit www.michaeldesafey.com