In order to get the most value from your time and money spent on a career coach, you must do your homework to assess whether or not working with one will help you achieve your goals. As well as some advice on how to pick a career coach, here are five reasons you might want to hire one.

Do you need a career coach at some point in your life?

You're sifting through job listings on LinkedIn, but you're not sure which one you want to apply for. It's fairly uncommon for loved ones to provide advice based on what they've observed in the past or what they perceive to be the "easiest" path to take, rather than what resonates with you. Having a career coach can help you evaluate options that are outside of your previous experience or ones that you hadn't previously considered if you aren't sure which profession or career path will bring you happiness.

How do you make your CV both substantive and easy at the same time?

The skills and abilities required to perform the job at the advertised level must be reflected in a candidate's resume. If you're looking for a new job and don't have the precise talents listed in the job description, a career coach can help you position your skills in the context of the position you're applying for. A CV should not include all of your achievements, no matter how impressive they may be. Your resume and LinkedIn profile can both benefit from a career coach's guidance in determining which of your past experiences are most relevant to the position you're seeking and in crafting a single message that will catch the attention of hiring managers.

You still haven't moved on from your ex's employment.

It's possible that you're still reeling from a job that caused you stress, anger, or sadness, and you're having a hard time letting go of it. Too many people believe that their next job would remove their depression, but this isn't always the case.

A colleague of mine, for example, had a successful decade-long career before making a series of poor decisions that resulted in her leaving various businesses. Her trust in her ability to make wise career decisions was shattered by this experience. As a result of these repeated bad encounters, a career coach assisted the woman in moving forward and rethinking her self-perceptions. Thanks to an outstanding manager, she's back to feeling confident in her own skin at work.

While interviewing, you've yet to land the position.

Even if you make it to the next round of interviews following the initial recruiter screen, you may need help relating your work experience to each job if you consistently come in second place at interview completion. Your executive presence and your ability to answer hard questions such, “you've never done [fill in the blank] before?” will all benefit from working with a career coach who can also help you rehearse your answers to other typical interview questions.

You're not progressing in your professional life.

While it is true that career counselors can assist you in securing employment, this is not the sole purpose of their services. Your present employer may have coaches who may help you figure out why you aren't moving up. Coaches can conduct a 360-degree review or decipher your performance feedback in order to find the habits you need to change in order to progress in your career.

If you decide to hire a career coach, here are five things to keep in mind before doing so.

A career coach's job is to help you get ahead in your career.

Make sure you know what kind of professional you need.

In the words of the International Coaching Federation, "career coaches help clients come to their own resonant judgments" about how "to maximize their personal and professional potential. By helping you identify preconceptions about yourself that hold you back from reaching your professional goals, they help you discover your true passions and strengths.

Additionally, a career coach may assist you with preparing your résumé and honing your interviewing techniques in order to help you achieve your goals. Because you hold the key to your own success, career advisers shouldn't make any promises to obtain you a job or assist you earn a certain wage.

A therapist can help you explore your previous trauma and understand how it affects all aspects of your life, including your employment, if you're dealing with challenges that go beyond your job.

Make a list of the services you require and be willing to consider those you may not have considered before.

In many cases, a well-designed CV isn't enough to get a person into a job interview. However, no matter how well-formatted your resume is, recruiters will not be impressed unless you present your experience in a way that is relevant to the new position.

Don't be afraid to ask your coach for advice on additional measures that could help you succeed in your career, such as a values exercise to ensure that you'll be satisfied in your new job, coaching on assumptions about your capabilities or career progression, or executive presence training for interviews. However, don't feel compelled to pay for more exams or employ a coach if you are convinced that you can handle the issue on your own.

At least three coaches should be sampled before you make a final decision.

Getting a free trial session with a coach is a great way to figure out if they're the right fit for you. A coach that specializes in somatic or meditative coaching may be ideal, but if you're also looking for a new job or profession, you may prefer a coach who can provide life counseling as well as job search advice.

Consider asking yourself questions like: What was your biggest coaching success? Your coaching is superior to that of other coaches because of this: Check to be sure that your potential career coach truly "gets" you and your specific position before committing to working with them.

Investigate the backgrounds, credentials, and experience of potential coaches.

The term "career coach" is a loosely defined term, and anyone can claim to be one. There are, however, a number of coaching certification programs to choose from. Do some research to see if the coach you're interviewing has gone through a rigorous training program and not merely paid for the certification. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) accreditation is the gold standard of certificates. Coaches who hold this certification are expected to adhere to a strict code of conduct and to complete at least 30 hours of continuing education every three years in order to maintain their status. Decide whether or not you need someone with HR or recruiting experience or an entrepreneurial background to meet your specific demands.

Consider the cost, the cadence, and the contact.

Coaches' fees are not governed. While in training, career trainers can charge as little as $5 per session or as much as $1,000. One-hour sessions are the most common. Revisions to resumes are an additional cost for certain coaches, while it is included in the entire fee for others. Know exactly what you're getting for the money you're spending. Also, find out how often you'll meet face-to-face or through phone or video, and if the coach will be available to address questions outside of scheduled sessions.

Determine if career coaching and the coach of your choice is right for you after gathering all this information. While hiring a coach can help you reach your objectives, make sure you're ready and willing to put in the work first.