10 Moments When a Career Coach Can Help

10 Moments When a Career Coach Can Help Over the years, career coaches have grown in popularity.Once seen as a luxury only top executives could afford, they are now thoroughly mainstream.The shifting perception of career coaches may have something to do with the increasing complexity of the workplace.Professionals are switching jobs more frequently, and companies aresearching for waysto empower and retain their top talent in this job-hopping-friendly climate. As a result, some organizations are hiring outside career coaches to help their employees reach their full potentialwithout leaving the company.If youre new to the world of career coaching, you may wonder how or when to use a career coachs services. Obviously, coaches can be of great help when embarking on a career transition ornew job search,but they can also be beneficial to employees in stable work environments looking to advance within their current organizations.Here are 10 ways a career c oach can help you duringeach phase of your career1. Crafting a Job Search StrategyJob searches are stressful enough. Career coaches can offer support and guidance on how best to navigate your search. Whether you need help with networking, writing a cover letter, or finding the right positions, a coachcan probably assist you.2. Refining Your Interview SkillsWhen it comes to interviewing, theres always room for improvement. One of the fruchtwein beneficial things you can do to prep for an interview is work with a career coach. They can help you understand your strengths and weaknesses and formulate talking points that help convey your value. A coach can also help you sharpen your answers to common interview questions to make them more powerful.3.Debriefing After an InterviewSome job seekers experience heightened anxiety right after an interview. They second-guess their answers, the doubt eating away at their confidence and keeping them up at night. Having post-interview support from a career coach can give a job seeker a better understanding of what went right and what they can improve for the next time.4. Salary NegotiationsNever approach salary negotiation haphazardly. A career coach can help you come up with a reasonable salary range for your negotiation andcraft a negotiation strategy that works.5. Asking for a Raise or PromotionUltimately, a career coachs job is to help you get ahead, whether that means finding a new job or advancingthrough the ranks of your current employer. Preparation is key when asking for a raise or promotion, and a coach can help you make sure your request is based infact and backed by the strength of your achievements.6. Having Difficult ConversationsAs you progress in your career, youll need to have difficult conversations with managers, clients, and coworkers. Your professional reputation hinges on how you approach these conversations. A coach can help you organize your thoughts and remain objective. They can even practice these co nversations with you so that you can work out your strategy before the real deal.7. Overcoming ObstaclesNo career path is free of obstacles. Whether youre dealing with a personality conflict or youre elend getting the projects you want to work on, a coach canoffer support andhelp you find a way to surmount whatever challenges arise.8.Clarifying Your GoalsOne ofa career coachs main duties is helping people clearly define what it is they want to achieve professionally.If you are disengaged at work and wondering what would make you truly happy, a career coach may bea good idea.9. Keeping Yourself on TrackThe grass is always greener, and comparing new employment opportunities to your current job is no different. A career coach can help you stay on track by making sure your career decisions are based on your own wants and needs. With our friends, colleagues, and family members constantly chiming in,it is easy to make decisions based on other peoples expectations instead of our own. Stopp ing to evaluate your decisions with an impartial third party canhelp ensure you make career moves based on your own desires.10. DecidingWhether ItsTime to Leave a JobLeaving a job is not an easy decision to make, and people often make rash decisions in the heat of the moment that they later regret. Talking it through with a career coach first can help you determine whetherleaving your job is indeed the right decision. If so, a career coach can also show you how to leave without burning bridges.A job search may take time, andsticking it out in a job youve decided to leave until you find the right one is not easy. A career coach can offer asafe place to talk freely about any dissatisfaction youre feeling, allowing you to maintain a dedicated face at work until youve committed to a new position.A version of this article originally appeared on theAtrium Staffing blog.Michele Mavi isAtrium Staffings resident career expert.