If you’re in a career transition or looking for a new job, and want some assistance in the process, which one would you choose: a career counselor or a career coach? Let’s try to distinguish between the two.
Career Counselor
Career counseling is a subset of counseling and is based on career development theories. Career counselors are often trained as counselors and incorporate this psychological knowledge as needed to help clients overcome barriers or resistance. Many career counselors use standardized or non-standardized assessments to help with career exploration and job search and offer emotional support, insights as well as strategies and resources. Counselors are often willing to discuss aspects of the clients’ life not directly related to his/her career issues, but which indirectly affect career.
Career Coach
Career Coaching is a newer field, developed in the late eighties and early nineties. Coaches are not required to have any particular qualifications, although many have completed a certification program. Coaches tend to focus on a specific area and assist the client by asking probing questions which motivate the client to discover his/her own answers. They focus on action and usually expect the client to take specific steps between sessions. Unlike counselors who often see people face to face, coaches tend to work by phone and ask the client for a commitment of a number of months.
As the two fields develop, the lines often blur and a single professional may blend some techniques from each approach. If you would like to work with a career counselor or a career coach, try to get a referral from someone you know. After a session or two, see whether you feel comfortable with the person and his or her style. If not, you might discuss your discomfort with them and/or you might decide to find someone else.
