Are you unhappy in your current job or wondering what to do after graduating from school or university? In this case, it may make sense to consult a job coach. As an experienced and neutral advisor, he or she will give you an overview of your prospects and encourage you to pursue your career goals.
The term job coaching first appeared about 20 years ago. Accordingly, it is still a fairly young professional field. A job coach acts primarily as a consultant. As the name suggests, he or she advises people on various job and career issues. The job coach supports his clients in finding their Implement career plans or find a suitable job in the first place.
Job coaching can take the form of either a group or individual session. Most coaches offer both options. In order to Needs In order to precisely identify the strengths and weaknesses of their clients, the job coach uses various tests and questionnaires to create a clear profile at the beginning of the collaboration. On the basis of this, it is possible to determine which career path suits the person in question - and which does not.
For this purpose, the job coach and the client also look at the previous professional career. The analysis of the biographical circumstances often provides information about which deficits have prevented the desired career path so far. The goal is to develop concrete strategies for the future.
Most job coaches are self-employed. In employed positions, they are occasionally found at universities, in outplacement counseling, at job centers or at the Federal Employment Agency. In the course of the last few years, the consulting profession has received increasing recognition: the work of job coaches is now supported by numerous educational institutions.
A job coach can help you with almost any job/career issue. Below are a few examples: You...
Important to know: Job coaching is basically suitable for (prospective) employees of all ages. Both young people who want orientation after graduating from school or university and older employees who want to change careers can benefit from the expertise of a job coach.
As a rule, job coaching takes place at the coach's premises. However, during the corona pandemic, the online offer (e.g. the Consultation via videocall) expanded significantly. Incidentally, the latter applies not only to the coaching sector, but in general.
Online offers not only offer the advantage of reduced contagion, but also avoid stress and time spent traveling to and from the job. In addition, you are independent of location when choosing your favorite job coach: You live in Hamburg, but your preferred coach is based in Munich? Fortunately, with today's technical possibilities, this is no longer a problem.
Of course, there are also constellations in which the job coaching is organized by the employer. In these cases, the coaching takes place in the office. This offers the advantage that the coach can get a direct impression of the work environment. If it is a measure or an offer of the employment agency, you usually have to visit their premises.
Job application training is not an invention of the modern age. They have been around for decades. However, job coaching is much more individually designed and demonstrably more effective because it focuses on the client's personality. Those who seek out a reputable job coach receive career counseling that is tailored to their needs. This also applies to group coaching sessions.
In contrast to classic job application training, which is often prescribed as a compulsory measure in the event of unemployment, job coaching is about personal career aspirations and support in implementing them. The goal is not the quick placement in any job, but the establishment of a stable employment relationship that fulfills the client and makes him happy.
The particular assistance that the person needs to achieve his or her professional goals is also customized. Mass dispatching and the completion of numerous practice tasks in which there may be no deficits at all are not part of job coaching.
As with all coaching professions, the job coach is not a protected job title. This is extremely problematic for serious consultants, of whom there are many. Theoretically, anyone could call themselves a job coach, even without any expertise. Therefore, it is even more important that you check the credentials of your consultant before using their services.
Fortunately, it's not that difficult to recognize a good job coach. As long as you pay attention to a few essential criteria, dubious consultants don't stand a chance. A good job coach, for example, offers his clients a free preliminary meeting, during which you can get to know each other. After all, it only makes sense to work together if coach and client are in harmony.
In general, the job coach should present his pricing transparently. Ideally, the exact costs are already listed on the consultant's homepage. However, he or she must provide you with specific information on this - ideally in writing - at the latest upon request. In addition, a reputable job coach will never be offended or even react evasively if you critically inquire about his or her references.
During the coaching itself, it is also easy to determine whether the coach knows his or her business. If he or she appears to be lecturing and tries to force his or her personal opinion on certain topics on you, you should refrain from the coaching offer. A serious job coach fulfills an advisory function in which your personality and your professional ideas are in the foreground.
The first place to look for a job coach these days is the Internet. However, instead of searching the search engine results on the off chance, a targeted search in special databases makes much more sense. Good and reputable addresses are, for example, the database of the German Federal Association Coaching e. V. (BDVC) as well as the Greator Coaches.
If you have arranged a preliminary interview with a job coach, don't be afraid to ask questions. It is helpful to create a checklist in advance.
The following is an example:
Tip: Do not commit yourself immediately after the first preliminary meeting, but arrange a second free preliminary meeting with another consultant. This will give you the best opportunity to compare.
A job coach advises his clients on career issues. In order to be qualified for this, he should have a (successful) professional career himself. Many job coaches, for example, have worked in management positions for years before deciding to become consultants. In short, the job coach should know what he is talking about based on his own (professional) experience.
Older coaches naturally have an advantage here, as they inevitably have more professional experience than, for example, a university graduate. However, this does not mean that younger coaches are unqualified per se. Take the time to have the consultant's resume explained to you. The decisive criterion is not age alone, but above all the personal career path.
In addition to work experience, the quality of coaching training also plays a crucial role. Find out what kind of training your job coach has completed.
There are now hundreds of different coaching courses and training opportunities. The entry requirements as well as the costs can vary greatly from provider to provider. Possible prerequisites are, for example, a minimum age, a certain educational qualification as well as specific previous professional knowledge in the field of pedagogy and / or business. However, many courses are also open to career changers.
Training to become a job coach can take place either in person or online. The latter is of course more practical if you are working. On the other hand, personal exchange can also be an advantage. Ultimately, your personal preferences are decisive here.
The duration of the courses also varies greatly depending on the provider: The spectrum ranges from weekend crash courses to three-year training courses with intermediate and final exams.
If it is really your desire to help other people in a consulting capacity, the time and cost should not be the main consideration when choosing your coaching training, but only the quality! Be sure to compare different providers with each other.
At the end of any serious training, you usually write an exam and receive a certificate of completion if you pass. This is, so to speak, the foundation on which you can build your coaching activity.
The question of what a job coach earns is difficult to answer in a generalized way. The expected income depends on several factors: While salaried job coaches draw a fixed salary, freelancers' earnings are related to the number of their clients. For this reason, income can fluctuate greatly over the course of the month and year.
According to Stepstone the average salary of a job coach is €52,500 per year, with a salary range of between €43,600 and €61,700.
As you can see, as a successful job coach you can earn a very profitable income in the long run. However, don't be disappointed if you earn significantly less in the early days of your coaching career. After all, you first have to establish yourself in the industry. In other words, you need to make a name for yourself and attract clients. The best way to do this is to make contacts during your training.
With the help of a professional job coach, you can significantly increase your career opportunities. A job coach will analyze your strengths and weaknesses with you and show you new career prospects. The Coaching is to be understood as help for self-help: You get valuable impulses, but the implementation is up to you.
If you are interested in a career as a job coach, you have a wide range of options. Before you decide on a training program, it is worth comparing several providers. Furthermore, it is advisable to establish industry contacts early on to make your start as a freelance coach easier.
