Cost of using a coach
Your career and job search success depends partly on how well you handle the job interview process. The financial investment you make in gaining that result can play a large role in the outcome. The key is to do your homework on what it takes to work successfully with a coach and evaluate the fees in that context.
Keep in mind that what you want an interview coach to help you with will influence the amount of your investment. You will undoubtedly find a wide range of interview coaching services and fees. Choose what offers the most value for what you need and can afford.
What an interview coach does
A good coach will take the time to become well acquainted with your employment situation, assess the current level of your interview skills, and identify any concerns you have about interviewing. Then the coach will work with you to create and execute a plan to help you move forward.
Your coach will likely want to hold one or more practice sessions, possibly touching on common interview questions. Also sometimes called a mock interview session, this “rehearsal” can show you areas you need to work on. It can be conducted virtually, which is often done with Zoom these days. If Zoom isn’t practical, phones can work, although that method entails some limitations, due to the lack of visual cues
How to prepare for a coaching interview
When you schedule a session to work with a career coach (interview coach), you should prepare at least a short list of questions you hope the coach can help with. If you’ve been given an advance assignment, make sure you complete it before the session. Remember that you and your coach need to function as partners or collaborators in this effort. The coach can’t do it all for you.
If you haven’t already done so, review the points you’ve identified as most important to you. You might find that you come up with one or two more that should be shared with the coach. Your preparation for working with the coach should include mentally focusing on issues he or she can help you improve.
What you should ask when interviewing a coaching coach
To begin with, find out the basics, such as what their professional qualifications are—any relevant certifications, how long they’ve been providing the services, and whether they belong to any professional organizations. If they have testimonials you can see, look at those. Due to client confidentiality issues, you might not be able to talk with any of their clients directly. However, do your best to find out as much as you reasonably can and get an idea of how good a fit it would be. You might aim for a limited-term project to become familiar with their work.
Will I increase my chances of impressing a hiring manager if I work with a coach?
Increasing your chances of impressing a hiring manager depends on more than just working with a coach, but doing so certainly could help you make a stronger impression. Job seekers who go to interviews as well prepared as possible can see positive results from their efforts, and working with a coach plays into that.
What can interview coaching services teach job seekers about interview skills, body language during job interviews, and navigating a phone interview process?
These services can teach you to pay close attention to body language—yours and the interviewer’s—and gain valuable clues to guide your responses. They can also help you sharpen your interview skills overall and minimize the pitfalls often associated with phone interviews, when you can’t see the interviewer and they can’t see you.
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