| If you are considering a career change, you | | | | unemployed and running short of cash and need |
| might want to know that you are in good | | | | help with a job search or resume preparation |
| company. | | | | 5)You just need help figuring out what you |
| | | | want to do quickly, once that is done, you |
| A recent finding from the "Working in | | | | can move forward on your own |
| America: The Key to Employee satisfaction" | | | | |
| survey showed that 32 percent of the | | | | You may want to hire a career and life coach |
| respondents were not satisfied with their | | | | if any of the follow rings true for you: |
| current employer. This survey was conducted | | | | |
| by Harris Interactive and commissioned by | | | | 1)You are successful but want more passion |
| Kronos Incorporated. | | | | and fulfillment in your career and are not |
| | | | sure what that would look like 2)You want to |
| A prior survey by the same group, found that: | | | | do what you are passionate about and make a |
| | | | good living but don't really know if that is |
| Across America, only 45 percent of workers | | | | possible 3)You want a great career and a |
| are either satisfied or extremely satisfied | | | | great life too - you don't want to have to |
| with their jobs Only 20 percent feel very | | | | sacrifice one for the other 4)You know what |
| passionate about their jobs 33 percent | | | | you ideally want to do but have some fears or |
| believe they have reached a dead end in their | | | | doubts about your ability to make it happen |
| career 21 percent are eager to change jobs | | | | 5)You want a better understanding of your |
| | | | natural talents and how to best use them to |
| Okay, so misery loves company. Now what? | | | | have more satisfaction and earn good money |
| You may or may not have considered career | | | | 6)You want to learn how to work smarter not |
| counseling to help you in making that change. | | | | harder and have more fun at whatever you do |
| | | | 7)You want to start a new business or grow an |
| You may not have even been aware that this | | | | existing one and want some support in making |
| service is available for adults. Most people | | | | that happen 8)You make a good living now and |
| are familiar with various types of career | | | | are afraid you would have to give that up to |
| testing but not with what is available beyond | | | | start all over. |
| that. | | | | |
| | | | Note that these are general descriptions and |
| Perhaps you feel trapped - like you have no | | | | actual services will vary with each |
| choice but to stay in your current career. | | | | practitioner. |
| You may have been taught that you have to | | | | |
| just suck it up and stick it out and make a | | | | I find that most people have made up some |
| living for you and your family -- fun and | | | | stories about what is and is not possible for |
| passion is something you save for the | | | | them. The roadblocks appear too large to |
| weekends or when you retire. | | | | overcome. |
| | | | |
| Or maybe you thought you knew what you wanted | | | | A good coach can help you see past the |
| to do, but then you grew and evolved, and | | | | roadblocks so that you can create a career |
| your current career is no longer a good fit. | | | | and life that truly fits for you. |
| You also may have squashed some dreams you | | | | |
| had earlier in life for the sake of | | | | Certainly there is some overlap between |
| practicality (or a million other reasons.) | | | | counseling and coaching. Bottom line, career |
| | | | coaching is often a more in-depth approach |
| If any of that sounds like you, there is | | | | than career counseling so if you are looking |
| hope. Sometimes its just hard to see past | | | | for a quick fix, it may not be the best fit |
| your current situation or even make the time | | | | for you. One solution might be to take an |
| to do something about it. A good career | | | | interim job that pays the bills and allows |
| counselor or career coach can help. | | | | you the time to invest in creating what is |
| | | | right for you in the long term. |
| So which is right for you? Career | | | | |
| Counseling? Career Coaching? Either? I | | | | Career coaching takes more of a whole life |
| have made two check lists to help you decide. | | | | approach so that you can create the career |
| | | | that best fits for the life you desire to |
| You may want to hire a career counselor if | | | | live. An ideal career is the goal; personal |
| any of the following ring true for you: | | | | transformation and more happiness in life |
| | | | also often come as a result of this process. |
| 1)You are not sure what you would be good at | | | | |
| 2)You are in a hurry and NEED to make a job | | | | Let's face it; we spend 5 out of every 7 days |
| change quickly 3)You already like what you | | | | of our life at work. Why live for the |
| do and you just want to change employers | | | | weekend, when you can also enjoy the rest of |
| within your current profession 4)You are | | | | your week? |