It’s an exciting time to be launching your career, but it can also feel overwhelming.
There are endless paths you could take, advice flying at you from all directions, and constant updates on social media showing people landing dream jobs or announcing promotions. It’s easy to wonder: Am I doing this right? Should I be progressing faster? Is it me?
The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all path to getting hired—and if you’re feeling lost, you’re not alone. If you’re ready to get intentional about your next steps, a career coach can help you cut through the noise and move forward with clarity and confidence.
What Is Career Coaching?
Think of a career coach as your personal strategist and accountability partner—not a therapist, not a recruiter, and definitely not someone who simply tells you to “follow your passion.”
Here’s what a good coach helps you do:
Get clear on the right-fit careers and roles that you’ll actually excel in
Create a personalized, realistic job search and/or career development plan
Craft standout branded career materials like a resume, cover letter, Linkedin profile, personal story
Build skills like networking, interviewing, and self-advocacy
Stay focused, confident, and moving forward even when things get frustrating
Sure, you could spend hours Googling resume tips or rewriting your LinkedIn summary. But a coach gets you further, faster, and with a roadmap that’s tailored for you to get hired and find success.
Why It’s Smart to Start Early
A lot of people wait until they’ve hit a wall, burnt out, are confused, or ready to quit before considering coaching. But working with a coach before you reach that point is where the real advantage is.
When you’re in the early stages of your career, even small mindset or strategy shifts can make a huge difference:
You can bypass common mistakes and dead ends
You’ll build tools, skills, and confidence you’ll use for years
You stay motivated because you have a clear direction and an expert to keep you on track
It’s not about having everything figured out—it’s about getting intentional sooner rather than later.
Signs You Might Benefit From a Career Coach
Not sure if coaching is worth it for where you are right now? Here are a few signs that it might be exactly what you need:
You’ve sent out tons of applications but barely heard back
You feel lost between majors, roles, or industries
You’re unsure what you’re even good at, or how to talk about it
You get anxious before interviews and blank when asked about strengths
You’re working hard but not seeing results, and you're not sure what to change
You’re avoiding important job hunt tactics because they are out of your comfort zone (networking, posting on LinkedIn, etc.)
If any of this hits home, coaching could help you find direction and momentum again.
What Career Coaching Actually Looks Like
So what do you actually do in coaching?
While every coach works a little differently, most will tailor their approach to your goals. A few things you might work on:
Auditing your resume and LinkedIn so they align with the roles that are the right fit
Architecting your personal story to create a memorable impression
Practicing mock interviews and building real-time feedback loops
Exploring career paths that match your strengths, interests, thinking and behavior styles
Creating a customized job search plan, including networking strategies to uncover opportunities
Today, most coaching is done virtually and ranges from one-off sessions to multi-week comprehensive programs. Some coaches even specialize in early career professionals or specific industries.
You Don’t Need to Have It All Figured Out
There’s a myth that you have to reach a certain level of success to “deserve” a coach. But in reality, coaching is for people who want to get there sooner—and feel better along the way.
Whether you’re figuring out your next step, trying to stand out in a competitive job market, or just want someone in your corner who gets it, career coaching can be a powerful investment in your future. And our early career coaches are ready to share their years of expertise with you.
You don’t have to do it all alone. Schedule a call today and get ready to take a big step forward.
Like this post? Share it!
