Back in 2014, when I was figuring out what I wanted to do next in my career, hiring a career coach didn’t even cross my mind. I was a DIY type of girl who swore by Google and I definitely wasn't paying someone for something I could figure out on my own. What I didn't realize was information and proper application are two different things. 

While Google definitely provides you with lots of information, you can end up clueless when it comes to what you actually need to do in order to be successful. Depending on the topic, there are at least 597 articles telling you that you should be doing conflicting things. The truth is, these articles are very one-sided and don’t take into consideration your unique circumstances. So while you may think you’re "saving money," you’re actually losing out on all the money you could be making.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

If you're on the fence about whether you need a coach or not, here are three clear signs you are in need of the help:

#1. You Have No Idea What You Really Want to Do. 

Are you just going through the motions day after day? Perhaps you’ve let others define what is possible for you and it’s been a while since a self-check-in. So when you begin applying for jobs, you do so sporadically. You focus attention on the title and salary, or past work experiences, and not on your vision for your future. 

With these approaches, you miss other more important aspects of your decision. Namely, your dreams, long-term goals, and purpose in connection to your work environment. This relates to clarity. If you’ve been struggling to pinpoint your why, identify the what, or map out your how, a career coach can help you focus and find clarity. 

#2. You’re Not Advancing in Your Career. 

Have you been in the same role for the past 8 years? This is called career stagnation, and it can appear in a few ways. For instance, each time performance reviews come around with your employer, you get a pretty good review but you haven’t received a promotion or major salary increase. Or perhaps, you’ve changed companies but your title and salary have remained nearly the same.

As the old saying goes, anything that isn’t growing is dead. If your career has stalled, then it’s time to take action. That could mean leveraging your position for a promotion in your current field. Or, that it’s time for a complete career change. The answer will depend on your unique situation and your goals and plan for the future. Working with a career coach, you can assess why your current career has stalled, plan the next steps to take, and create an actionable plan - all with accountability!

#3. You Don’t Have Any Career Goals. 

And I’m not simply talking about the goals you’re forced to write to qualify for a bonus. I mean BIG goals. I’m talking about where you see yourself in five years, what type of work environment you desire, and what benefits and perks are non-negotiable for you. 

Without career goals, you can’t create a strategic career plan - which means, you remain stuck. If you haven’t been able to commit to honing in on your career goals, or having trouble getting to the core, a career coach can help guide you. Together you can create overarching goals and identify the smaller steps needed to see them through. 

If any of this sounds like you and you’re interested in getting started with a career coach, check out my career strategy services to see how I can help you win in the workplace.