Are Career Coaches Worth It?
Let’s be real—navigating your career can feel like walking through a minefield blindfolded. One wrong step, and boom, you’re stuck in a dead-end job, passed over for promotions, or worse, facing a layoff with no game plan. I’ve seen it happen too many times, and it’s why I started A Life After Layoff—to help you take control of your career. So, when people ask me, “Are career coaches worth it?”
Of course, I’m biased, but I say without hesitation, yes. But not just any coach.
A good career coach can be the difference between spinning your wheels for years and actually getting to where you want to be.
So are career coaches worth it? Let’s break it down—what a career coach really does, why they’re different from job search coaches or mentors, and how they can save you from major career pitfalls.
Job Search Coaches vs. Career Coaches: Not the Same Thing
First things first, let’s clear up a common mix-up. Job search coaches and career coaches aren’t the same beast. They might sound similar, but their focus is totally different.
A job search coach is all about getting you that next gig. They’ll help you polish your resume, nail your interview skills, and maybe even give you a few networking tips. They’re laser-focused on landing you a job—any job—to get you back on your feet. And that’s great if you just need to pay the bills after a layoff.
But a career coach? They’re playing a bigger game.
They look at your career as a whole…like a roadmap from where you are now to where you want to be in 5, 10, or even 20 years. They’re not just helping you find the next job on your resume; they’re helping you build a strategy to achieve your long-term career goals.
Think of it like this: a job search coach gets you through the door, but a career coach helps you climb the whole staircase.
The Pitfalls of Not Having a Career Strategy
Here’s the thing most people don’t realize—almost every career issue boils down to one problem: you don’t have a strategy. I’m talking about the big stuff that keeps you up at night.
Can’t get promoted?
Not getting interviews consistently?
Feeling pigeonholeed into a role you hate?
Or maybe your income’s stuck at a level that makes you cringe every time you check your bank account.
These aren’t random bad luck moments. They’re symptoms of not having a plan. And a good career coach can spot those gaps faster than you can say “I’m underpaid.” They’ll help you avoid the kind of pitfalls that can set you back years—think taking the wrong job, staying in a role too long, or missing out on opportunities because you didn’t even know they existed.
Let’s talk money for a sec. A career coach doesn’t just help you avoid the bad stuff—they can set you up for the good stuff too. They’ll guide you on how to negotiate better terms, land higher-quality jobs, and build a career trajectory that compounds over time.
We’re talking hundreds of thousands of dollars more over your career. Imagine what that extra cash could do—pay off debt, buy a house, or finally take that dream vacation without sweating the credit card bill.
A Real-Life Example: The Startup Disaster
I shared a story in a recent video that really drives this home, and I want to break it down here because it’s a perfect example of what happens when you don’t have a career plan. A senior-level software engineer left a stable job for a startup gig. A friend recommended it, and the pay was better, so he jumped at the chance.
Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Wrong. That startup was a mess. We’re talking toxic culture, shaky funding, and an unstable management team that couldn’t decide if they were building software or a circus.
Thirty days in, the startup folded, and Mike was out of a job.
Just like that… *poof*.
Now he’s facing a complete reset, and he’s so burned out he’s thinking about leaving tech altogether.
Here’s the kicker: this could’ve been avoided. If he had a career plan, he would’ve known to dig deeper before making the leap.
A career coach could’ve helped him ask the right questions—like, “Is this startup actually funded, or are they running on fumes?” or “Does this role align with my long-term goals, or am I just chasing a quick paycheck?”
Instead, he made a decision with limited data, and it backfired big time.
Career Coaches vs. Mentors: Why You Need Both
Now, you might be thinking, “But I already have a mentor—do I really need a career coach?”
Let’s clear this up, because mentors and coaches aren’t the same thing either, and you can benefit from both.
A mentor is someone in your current career field—maybe a senior colleague or a former boss—who can guide you based on their experience. They’ll share what worked for them, offer inspiration, and maybe even open a few doors at their company.
However, their perspective is often limited to their own journey, typically within the same industry or company. They’re like a friend giving you advice on a health issue—they mean well, but they’re not a doctor.
A career coach, on the other hand, has a much deeper approach to career development. They’ve got a broader view and can help you piece together a strategy to achieve your specific career goals.
They’ll troubleshoot issues you might not even see…like why you’re not getting callbacks or why you keep getting passed over for promotions. They’re not tied to one company or industry, so they can give you a neutral, unbiased perspective on how you’re presenting yourself to employers.
What a Good Career Coach Can Do for You
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what a career coach actually does, because this is where the magic happens. A good career coach doesn’t just cheer you on—they dig deep to diagnose and fix the problems holding you back.
For starters, they can spot issues you’re blind to. Maybe you think you’re killing it in interviews, but your body language is screaming “I’m nervous” to hiring managers. (who may, in turn, interpret it as a lack of confidence).
Or maybe your resume looks great to you, but it’s not getting past the applicant tracking systems. A career coach will catch these things and help you fix them before they cost you opportunities.
They’ll also give you a neutral perspective on how you’re coming across to employers. Ever wonder why you’re not getting the offers you want? A coach can tell you—without sugarcoating it—if your LinkedIn profile looks like it was last updated in 2015, or if your networking game is more awkward than a middle school dance. Then they’ll help you come up with a better plan of attack.
And let’s not forget the financial upside. A career coach can guide you on negotiating the best terms for your next role—whether that’s a higher salary, better benefits, or a title that sets you up for the next big leap. Over time, those better-quality jobs compound.
It goes beyond just getting the job. Once you are in your role, there are essential actions you must take within your first year to position yourself as a “mover” within the organization. Your reputation is established early on. And if you’re not careful, this can lead to being categorized as “not promotable.” Working with a skilled coach can help you develop an effective onboarding plan that sets the stage for future promotions.
You’re not just making more now—you’re setting yourself up for bigger paychecks down the road. I’ve seen clients add tens of thousands to their annual salary with the right coaching, and over a career, that can easily turn into hundreds of thousands.
How to Choose the Right Career Coach
Now, before you go Googling “career coach near me,” let’s talk about how to pick the right one. Because here’s the thing. The wrong one can do more harm than good.
First, look for someone who’s been in the trenches. I’m talking about a coach who’s been in hiring before—maybe as a recruiter, a hiring manager, or someone who’s achieved something significant in their career.
They need to have real experience in what you’re trying to achieve. For example, if you’re aiming to break into tech, find a coach who knows the space. Or one who’s been involved with hiring in the space.
Be wary of anyone who simply lists’ career coach” on their LinkedIn profile with no qualifications to back it up.
I’ve seen too many people get burned by self-proclaimed coaches who have no business giving advice. You wouldn’t take fitness tips from someone who’s never stepped foot in a gym, right? Same deal here. Look for someone with a proven track record—testimonials, case studies, and a background that matches your goals.
At A Life After Layoff, I bring my experience as a recruiter and career strategist to the table. I’ve helped hundreds of people navigate layoffs, land better jobs, and build careers they’re proud of. If you’re curious about working with me, check out my coaching services—I’d love to help you get unstuck.
Career Coaching Isn’t a Cost—It’s an Investment
I get it—hiring a career coach can feel like a big expense, especially if you’re fresh off a layoff or just scraping by. But here’s how I see it: career coaching isn’t a cost. It’s an investment. And it’s one of the best investments you can make in yourself.
A car is a cost. It’s a necessity to get you from point A to B. It loses value over time, and eventually becomes obsolete. Whereas investing in your career pays long-term dividends and actually compounds over time.
Think about it. A good career coach can save you from years of frustration, missed opportunities, and dead-end jobs. They can help you avoid disasters like Mike’s startup fiasco, where one bad move set him back to square one. They can also set you up for bigger wins—higher salaries, better roles, and a career that actually makes you excited to get out of bed on Monday mornings.
Let’s do some quick math. Say a career coach helps you negotiate a $10,000 salary increase for your next job. Over 10 years, that’s $100,000 more in your pocket—minus the cost of the coaching, which might be a few hundred or a couple thousand bucks. Even if you factor in raises and promotions, you’re still coming out way ahead. And that’s not even counting the emotional payoff of feeling confident and in control of your career.
Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your Career
So, are career coaches worth it? If you find the right one, absolutely. They’re not just a quick fix—they’re a partner in building a career that aligns with your goals, not someone else’s idea of success.
They’ll help you avoid the pitfalls that can derail your progress, give you a clear strategy to follow, and set you up for long-term wins that can change your life.
If you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or just unsure of your next move, a career coach might be exactly what you need to get back on track. And if you’re ready to take that step, I’m here to help. My Ultimate Career Blueprint gives you a step-by-step roadmap to 100k+ jobs, and my coaching programs can help you troubleshoot whatever’s holding you back.
Check out all my resources at A Life After Layoff—let’s get your career moving in the right direction.
What do you think—are career coaches worth it for you?
