CAREER TRANSITION COACH: BENEFITS, ROLES, AND HOW TO FIND ONE

Image source: Freepik

Almost every day, there are professionals across different careers in the world who are leaving one career to pursue another one. Why? This will be dealt with in the course of the article.

The process by which a shift of any sort occurs in a career is often referred to as a career transition. Also, we know for a fact that there are a lot of professionals who want to change their careers but find the process challenging.

While this is true, it should not be the case, especially because there are professionals called career transition coaches with the skill and knowledge to provide guidance in the transition process.

This guide is meant to provide information about who a career transition coach is, what they do, the benefits you can get from working with them, and how you can find one for yourself. You're ready? Let's get started!

What is a Career Transition?

It comes a time in the journey of an individual when it feels like there needs to be a change in the direction of the career they are currently in.

They may decide that the time has come for them to transition from one career to another, and this could happen for many reasons.

When that time comes, they'll have to make a significant change from one career choice or industry to another. This is what we call a career transition.

So, a career transition can be defined as a significant change in the path of an individual's profession, usually involving changes in roles, industries, or even a completely different career.

This phase of transition usually requires that the individual possess a level of adaptability, resilience, and a positive mindset.

Well, sometimes, the process of transition may seem to be a rocky one and may require the assistance of a career transition coach.

So, who then is a career transition coach? A career transition coach is a professional who has the skill, information, and expertise to guide other professionals through the different areas of transition in their career.

Reasons for a Career Transition

As humans, career change or transition is something we see and hear of on a daily basis. What begs the question is: Why do people change careers? Why do they want to undergo a transition phase in their career journey?

These questions have multiple answers, and we'll be seeing a few of them.

I. Professionals undergo transitions in their careers because they seek growth in their professional endeavours.

Everyone seeks to grow in their careers, and if it calls for them to switch to something better, they'll gladly make the move.

II. Another reason that makes professionals undergo career transitions is to find fulfillment in themselves.

Sometimes, because of trying to make ends meet, people find themselves in careers they don't find fulfilling; hence, when they find a fulfilling career, they'll gladly go for it, no doubt!

III. Sometimes, professionals change their careers because of changes in the events of their lives.

For instance, they get to relocate to another city, state, or country, and then their current career does not provide the resources that will cater for their needs.

They will have no choice but to change their career into a soothing one with their current location.

IV. Dissatisfaction with the current career is another reason why people transition in their careers.

In fact, many professionals who quit their jobs do so because they are not satisfied with the job, the perks, or the unavailable opportunities to grow.

Sometimes, their current career may take a toll on their private lives, thereby preventing a work-life balance, and when this happens, they seek alternative career options.

V. Some professionals leave their current careers to become entrepreneurs. They may feel like it's time they begin a business of their own so that they themselves can be employers of labour too.

This could be a driving force for them to attain satisfaction with what they've decided to spend their time on.

VI. A shift in market demand in the career they currently find themselves in is a valid reason why they switch careers.

For instance, professionals flood careers they can do from home, such as IT, content writing, copywriting, digital marketing, etc., because of the increase in market demand for these career options.

Roles of a Career Transition Coach

A career transition coach plays a very important role in guiding other professionals who see the need to make a significant shift in what they would consider their career choices.

Let's take a close look at five of the significant roles of a transition coach. They include:

1. Assessment and Goal Setting

One of the roles a transition coach plays in the career transition process is to help their clients set clear goals through a meticulous assessment of the different skills, strengths, and aspirations they have.

When the coach evaluates these, he or she then gives guidance based on the observation. Usually, the direction the transition coach suggests is a combination of all the pieces of information put together.

As a professional seeking to make that shift in roles or industry, it's important you remain clear and unemotional about the information you give to the coach.

2. Development of Skills

When a career transition coach has successfully assessed the skills, strengths, and abilities of their clients and is well aware of the direction the client wants to take as per their career choice, they ensure that their clients begin to develop the skills they'll need for their next career.

Transition coaches are able to achieve this through different development plans or by offering personalized training.

3. Resume and Branding

A transition coach also helps his or her client build a strong and compelling resume and a personal brand.

The coach wants to make sure that his clients come across as competent and valuable; hence, he or she crafts great professional profiles for them, such as on LinkedIn, thereby giving their clients the opportunity to present themselves well in the job market.

4. Interview Preparation

A career transition coach makes it a point of duty to prepare his or her client for any form of interview that will be required for the new career choice.

The coach could get possible interview questions based on industry reviews and standards and then use them to guide the client on how best to attempt those questions in an actual interview.

5. Emotional Support

Another role a transition coach plays in the career transition process of a professional is offering emotional support.

He or she is usually a source of encouragement, offering positive reaffirmation to their clients through the process of career change.

Sometimes, the process can be devastating emotionally, especially preparing for interviews, building skills, and other efforts put into switching careers, and sometimes it doesn't yield the expected results.

At such times, a transition coach shows you how to remain sane with a positive attitude.

The Benefits of Having a Career Transition Coach

In addition to the roles of a career transition coach, there are numerous benefits you get when you work with one. Some of the benefits include:

1. Guidance through Change

Transiting from one career to another may not be a walk in the park. There are bound to be hurdles on the way because of the lack of sufficient skills and expertise in the new career that you want.

A career transition coach will cushion the effect it may have on you by providing personalized and efficient guidance that will help you as you change.

2. Personalized Strategies for Career Transition

Any change you will go through in your career may not necessarily be generic. This means that working with a transition coach when you want to change your career will present a more personalized approach.

Remember, we discussed that a career transition coach evaluates your strengths, skills, and knowledge in a particular career and then suggests career options based on the information he or she has access to.

This helps the coach offer strategies for changing your career that will best fit you.

3. Effective Networking

One benefit you stand to get from working with a transition coach is that your networking skills will be developed.

You'll gain insight on how to build professional connections within and outside your new career option.

Also, the coach will help you by connecting you with other professionals in your industry, thereby widening your network.

How to Find a Career Transition Coach for Yourself

It's good enough that you know who a career transition coach is and why you need one, but the question is, how can you find one?

So, if you're a professional who wants to switch careers and you need a career transition coach, then here are four different places you can find one:

1. Online Platforms

The world is a digital entity, and that means almost anything and any profession can be searched on the internet.

There are different platforms that you could access online where you could easily get a coach. You can make use of LinkedIn, a professional platform, or you could just search on Google, and then you'll be provided with the necessary information that you need.

2. Attend Events and Workshops

Another way to find a transition coach is through professional events and conferences you attend.

When you attend events, there's a high chance that you'll meet a career transition coach, exchange cards, and then proceed from there.

3. Leverage your Industry Networks

If you don't go online or attend events, you could leverage the networks in your industry.

There are connections within your industry who have benefited from working with a transition coach at one point in time and who can then recommend them to you.

4. Personal Referrals

One common way to find a transition coach for yourself is through referrals from friends or those within your circle who have had a personal experience with a coach before. They could also make a recommendation for you.

Conclusion

A career transition coach is a professional who's very equipped to provide guidance as you go through your career transition phase.

This process is sometimes challenging, and that's why you need to seek out a transition coach as soon as you can. The benefits you get will include avoiding mistakes that could be made when you don't connect with one.

Know that the transition coach is there to make sure your transition is smooth and that you're better prepared to fit into your new career of choice.