Has anyone used a career coach to advance their career? Mine has plateaued lately, no advancement (no where to go where I am) minimal increase in pay. I’m rather specialized in a small mechanical/technical industry, any thoughts of can a coach help me?
Maggie’s Career coach
- Thread starter Porksboy
- Start date
I'm in a niche technical industry as well (still good sized), but if you're stuck, look to jump to a different role within that niche. I personally went from Engineering, to Sales/Bus. Dev. Best move of my career. Most Engineer's aren't capable of that move (aren't people persons), but those who are, flourish.
As JSCB said above, there's thousands of guys here on the hide that have similar situations (birds of a feather, as they say). Many of us own or work for corporations who are struggling for enough resources (people) to capture/keep business... my company now is between 14-15 thousand people globally. We have over 350 internal job postings right now just in the US, and another 335 external postings (some do overlap). There's over 700 job openings globally, and while we're decent size, we aren't even in the S&P 500 range (though we're close).
I'm not saying to use this place as a LinkedIn, but give some more info and let some of the guys here share their experience/insight.
As JSCB said above, there's thousands of guys here on the hide that have similar situations (birds of a feather, as they say). Many of us own or work for corporations who are struggling for enough resources (people) to capture/keep business... my company now is between 14-15 thousand people globally. We have over 350 internal job postings right now just in the US, and another 335 external postings (some do overlap). There's over 700 job openings globally, and while we're decent size, we aren't even in the S&P 500 range (though we're close).
I'm not saying to use this place as a LinkedIn, but give some more info and let some of the guys here share their experience/insight.
I'm an LEO in Illinois. We have Upward Mobility counselors. They have a better insight of, say, what position to promote to next in order to achieve your ultimate goal. Meaning, certain jobs require certain 'skills' in order to get a job. So, without job title "B", there really is no other way to get to job "C." The UpMo counselors have an outline, of you will, of where to go next. Sp. I guess that's a form of career counselor.
It really depends...advise, mentoring, coaching, training are all good things to push yourself and your career goals. The big question is are you asking yourself the right questions and can you find the answers? If the answer is no or no...then talking to someone might help.
The only person that has put a limit on your career is that guy you face in the mirror every morning.
Your post has "I am limited to ________ because I am _______." I need someone to help me". How did you get to where you are now?
Splash some cold water on your face, man the fuck up and jump. You only "think" you are limited because of some mentality that you are specialized. Start with a different outlook as to what you are. You have skills of some kind. What are some areas that you would like to do for a living? Doesn't matter what you do now. What do you want to do? Go for it. Need more education or apply what skills you already have to get a toe in the door.
Obviously you should avoid looking at "life coaching".
Your post has "I am limited to ________ because I am _______." I need someone to help me". How did you get to where you are now?
Splash some cold water on your face, man the fuck up and jump. You only "think" you are limited because of some mentality that you are specialized. Start with a different outlook as to what you are. You have skills of some kind. What are some areas that you would like to do for a living? Doesn't matter what you do now. What do you want to do? Go for it. Need more education or apply what skills you already have to get a toe in the door.
Obviously you should avoid looking at "life coaching".
Nobody is "stuck" in one company, at one location, in one state forever.
I'm about to up and move halfway across the country and take a rather large pay cut to do so. But long term, it's better and the cost of living is literally half of where I'm at now.
Don't let yourself tell yourself you're "too specialized" to move to another company, etc.
Theres no other company that does whatever you do in the same state or different state? There no other positions that can use a skillset like yours?
I'm about to up and move halfway across the country and take a rather large pay cut to do so. But long term, it's better and the cost of living is literally half of where I'm at now.
Don't let yourself tell yourself you're "too specialized" to move to another company, etc.
Theres no other company that does whatever you do in the same state or different state? There no other positions that can use a skillset like yours?
I have a high end IT friend who was let go by a huge bank and was convinced that there was nothing for him outside his niche. He went to a "career coach" and paid a lot of money for nothing. He refused to take a chance outside his comfort zone, and now works as a package handler for a delivery service. There's nothing wrong with that, but he has skills that can fetch a better income if he had the balls to venture beyond his narrow comfort zone. I did my best to get him to take a small risk,
Don't underestimate your ability to apply your knowledge and work ethic to something different. My training as a mechanical engineer made me good money, but right now I'm making money doing civil work. If you have the skills to observe, analyze and then act, plus the ability to read and understand regulations and instructions, the technology part comes pretty easily. Smart employers recognize adaptability and work ethic over specific technical experience if hiring for the long haul.
Don't dismiss working for a "pimp shop" for a bit. This is how I gained a diverse background that gets me at least in the door in many places. Back in the day we were called Road Whores. This is not for everyone, but I loved it. I worked on many really cool projects. The key to this is to just do what they want. If they're wrong, tell them, but still just do what they want.There is a huge tax advantage if you do it right. It is probably not right if you have a family to care for.
Just be aware that there may be opportunities outside your niche where your basic skills and ethic are recognized.
Don't underestimate your ability to apply your knowledge and work ethic to something different. My training as a mechanical engineer made me good money, but right now I'm making money doing civil work. If you have the skills to observe, analyze and then act, plus the ability to read and understand regulations and instructions, the technology part comes pretty easily. Smart employers recognize adaptability and work ethic over specific technical experience if hiring for the long haul.
Don't dismiss working for a "pimp shop" for a bit. This is how I gained a diverse background that gets me at least in the door in many places. Back in the day we were called Road Whores. This is not for everyone, but I loved it. I worked on many really cool projects. The key to this is to just do what they want. If they're wrong, tell them, but still just do what they want.There is a huge tax advantage if you do it right. It is probably not right if you have a family to care for.
Just be aware that there may be opportunities outside your niche where your basic skills and ethic are recognized.
Gents - I do Leadership/Executive Coaching as part of my living. Certified through Columbia University in NYC. Happy to provide guidance on what to look for in a coach. Feel free to ask questions here or ping me a PM.
You got certified in putting a boot to someone's ass by Columbia University?
I bet I can find a shit ton of people that learned that in their first days of boot camp.
I bet I can find a shit ton of people that learned that in their first days of boot camp.
Not an uncommon perspective. Executive/Leadership Coaching is a bit of a different animal than career coaching, but for anyone who is considering either, I can help them flush out if coaching and/or their potential coach is right for them.
I doubt it...know your audience.
Always knew you’d become a gay escort in Iowa at some point.
From personal experience.
Do what makes you happy, not some BS that makes you a few bucks more and has a fancy title you put on a business card.
I did all that post grad bull and got me a fancy degree, got hired by Rockwell back when it mattered, big money, fancy title.
I was at that job about a year....give or take a tad.
Couldn't stand the cube farm and the (what they call) political shite that goes with it.
Walked right out the door and never looked back, took me a little hiatus.
Got creative and scribbled a few notes down, ended up with 4 US patents and made some mad money licensing them out.
Took a job as a auto mechanic just to have some pocket money between royalty checks.
Spent way too many years doing that because I was good at it and it paid better than you would think at some of the high end shops I worked at.
Eventually tired of that crap and a buddy needed some help one day, he was a contractor.
Ended up a few years later with a GC license and built some shit here and there.....sparky/framing/concrete (honestly)/drywall-finish/ etc.
Retired now, don't give fuck all about none of it.
I'd rather just drive the tractor around the farm and do some shooting here and there.....and fishing, yea, fishing.
Do what makes you happy, if you're worth a small turd the money will come.
Don't expect it to be overnight though.
Do what makes you happy, not some BS that makes you a few bucks more and has a fancy title you put on a business card.
I did all that post grad bull and got me a fancy degree, got hired by Rockwell back when it mattered, big money, fancy title.
I was at that job about a year....give or take a tad.
Couldn't stand the cube farm and the (what they call) political shite that goes with it.
Walked right out the door and never looked back, took me a little hiatus.
Got creative and scribbled a few notes down, ended up with 4 US patents and made some mad money licensing them out.
Took a job as a auto mechanic just to have some pocket money between royalty checks.
Spent way too many years doing that because I was good at it and it paid better than you would think at some of the high end shops I worked at.
Eventually tired of that crap and a buddy needed some help one day, he was a contractor.
Ended up a few years later with a GC license and built some shit here and there.....sparky/framing/concrete (honestly)/drywall-finish/ etc.
Retired now, don't give fuck all about none of it.
I'd rather just drive the tractor around the farm and do some shooting here and there.....and fishing, yea, fishing.
Do what makes you happy, if you're worth a small turd the money will come.
Don't expect it to be overnight though.
Don't project your needs/wants on me. Just because I didn't give you the eyes at the bar the other night doesn't mean you get to disparage me.
Id love to be a career couch. Id be the most laid back, reclining style couch that ever was.
However im a fairly chill coach too.
However im a fairly chill coach too.
